MARRIOTT GIVES AWARD TO UAE JOURNALIST

6 August 2002

Marriott International has recognised a top UAE based journalist with a prestigious tourism journalism award. Marwan Nemr, business editor of Al Iktissad Wal Aamal, a leading regional Arabic business magazine, was given the Marriott Golden Circle award by Samir Daqqaq, Vice President of Marriott Global Sales, Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Marwan is one of only 32 journalists in the region who have received the award since its inauguration 16 years ago.

The Golden Circle awards are presented annually to journalists who report on trends and developments in tourism, and have demonstrated excellence in reportage. Initiated in 1986, the awards are nominated by Marriott hotels and sales offices around the world. To date, 299 journalists representing 41 countries have been honoured. This year, 2002, 27 journalists from 26 countries have been honoured. Six of the journalists are based in the Middle East region.

Presenting the award, Mr Daqqaq said, "Marwan is a journalist of great commitment and integrity. He has an unerring instinct for the newsworthy, which has lead him to accomplish a number of exclusive interviews and ground-breaking news stories. His commitment to journalistic excellence, combined with his enthusiasm and dedication, have helped him carve a reputation as one of the leading business journalists in the region."