Marriott Hotels in Dubai honour long term associates

The Length of Service Awards Program initiated by Marriott International recognizes associates based on their years of service to the company.

When reaching 25 years of service, Marriott associates will receive membership in the exclusive Quarter Century Club. The benefits of membership in the Quarter Century Club include complimentary rooms at participating Marriott hotels worldwide. A member is permitted to stay once per calendar year in each hotel and receive a complimentary room. In addition to the complimentary room accommodation, members are eligible to Marriott associate room rates and discounts at the hotel gift shops owned and operated by Marriott International.

In relation to the Quarter Century Club, the Marriott Hotels in Dubai recently celebrated the long-term service of ten associates who have served the Marriott for 25 years and more.

General Managers Francisco Giles of Renaissance Dubai Hotel; Wael Soueid of JW Marriott Dubai; Elaine Watson of Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Green Community and Hotel Manager Sabreena Jacob of the Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek hosted a high tea for these ten loyal and dedicated associates at the Burj Al Arab.

Each associate was honoured with a crystal trophy and a certificate of recognition. Some of the associates started their career with the Marriott 25 years ago in Saudi Arabia and are now working in different Marriott Hotels in Dubai.

An exemplary of full commitment, devotion and allegiance to the company is Vincente Dalanon, a Bellman at JW Marriott Dubai who has an amazing 31 years of service with the Marriott.

According to General Manager Wael Soueid:

"We are truly honoured to have Vincente at the JW Marriott Dubai. He leads by example, always helpful, friendly and goes beyond his duty to assist the guests. Vincente is a true hero and we would like to thank him for his loyalty, sincerity and his continuous selfless efforts in serving the guests to his best. It is associates like Vincente that makes JW Marriott a great place to work."

Associates who have worked at the JW Marriott for more than 25 years are Faiz Ahmed Khan, JW Assistant Outlet Manager; Kattiri Rajagopalan, Director of Human Resources; Nasim Pervez of Room Service; Arnel Calos at the Concierge; Melchor Garcia, JW Housekeeping Supervisor; Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui, Assistant Laundry Manager and Romeo Latoza, JW Housing Manager.

Hotel Manager Sabreena Jacob is indeed delighted to have Madhu Pillai as her Food and Beverage Supervisor at the Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek.

"Madhu is a true gem and has been with the Marriott for 25 years. His is caring and responsible and is also well respected by the associates for his integrity and true team spirit,"

said Sabreena.

Unni Krishna Tillai, a Chef at the Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Green Community was indeed overjoyed when General Manager Elaine Watson presented the trophy and certificate to him. "Unni is one of the best associates we have. He shows great enthusiasm and works very well with the kitchen team. He is always willing to help and eager to learn from his superiors. Unni has been with the Marriott for 25 years and we greatly value his long service and loyalty," added Elaine.

The event was organized by Marriott's Culture Committee, a sub committee of the Marriott Business Council Dubai.

Marriott International is a leading lodging company with over 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end.

It is ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE magazine, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004.

In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales form continuing operations of $13bn.