MARRIOTT GUESTS GET MOTOROLA PHONES

Imagine getting a free top-of-the-range mobile phone when you check into a hotel for a short break or business. Sounds too good to be true, but from December 15 to January 15, that’s exactly what every 100th Marriott guest will get. So if you hear ‘Ring ring..it’s for you!’ it might be more than just a phone call you’re getting.

Marriott International and Motorola have tied up in this novel promotion exclusive to Marriott and Renaissance guests in the Middle East. Every 100th guest checking in to a Marriott hotel between December 15 and January 15 will receive a free Motorola V66 phone. The ‘Stay in Touch with Marriott’ promotion will run in 12 hotels across the region, in Dubai, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Lebanon.

The Motorola V66 was launched in the Middle East in September, and sold over 20,000 pieces in the first month. The advanced phone offers multi-language capability, including Arabic, and incorporates GPRS technology to afford faster access to the Internet. The handset is tri-band and features voice dialling, voice memo recorder and WAP browser. Other unique features of the sleek V66 include voice recognition, predictive text entry, active flip, vibrating call alert, and a new user-friendly interface.

"We love the idea of this promotion," said Samir Daqqaq, Vice President of Marriott Worldwide Sales, USA, Middle East, Africa and South Asia. "It’s an innovative way of encouraging more traffic in our hotels, particularly in the FIT (frequent individual traveller) sector. We have a large portfolio of beautiful hotels in the region, including top-class business hotels in key cities, and luxurious resorts in popular tourist destinations, and this is one more reason to stay at Marriott."

He added that there was a lot of travel expected in the holiday season and directly afterwards. "The promotion has been specially planned to offer a large number of travellers the opportunity to win the latest Motorola phone."

Fadi Kachkouche, Motorola Marketing Manager, Middle East and North Africa, agreed. "The promotion will really appeal to those who are interested in high-end technology. At the same time, we are adding to the awareness of the V66 phone, which is proving very popular in the Middle East. Motorola is very active in its marketing, and we will be promoting this special offer through print and radio advertising."

"Marriott and Motorola are good partners. They are world leaders in their fields, and are respected both for the quality and value they represent, and their aggressive approaches to staying ahead. Motorola is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Marriott International is a global leader in hospitality, with nearly 2,400 properties worldwide. Together, we are offering an unbeatable promotion."

Participating Marriott International hotels are JW Marriott Dubai, Dubai Renaissance, Jeddah Marriott, Riyadh Marriott, Beirut Marriott, Cairo Marriott, Sharm El Sheikh Marriott Beach Resort, Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort, Alexandra Renaissance. Doha Marriott, Amman Marriott and Petra Marriott.