Marriott International Launches Global Cleanliness Council to Promote Even Higher Standards of Cleanliness
in the Age of COVID-19
Company to roll out enhanced technology to help counter virus spread
New multi-pronged platform details increased safety measures for guests and associates
Bethesda, MD, April 21, 2020 – Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR), which for 92 years has been recognized as
a hospitality leader for its commitment to quality, exacting standards, and rigorous training, announced today that
it will be rolling out a multi-pronged platform to elevate its cleanliness standards and hospitality norms and
behaviors to meet the new health and safety challenges presented by the current pandemic environment.
“We are living in a new age, with COVID-19 front and center for our guests and our associates,” said Arne
Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International. “We are grateful for the trust our guests
have shown us through the years. We want our guests to understand what we are doing today and planning for in
the near future in the areas of cleanliness, hygiene and social distancing so that when they walk through the doors
of one of our hotels, they know our commitment to their health and safety is our priority. It’s equally important to
us that our associates know the changes we are making to help safeguard their health as they serve our guests.”
A New Way of Looking at Cleanliness
Marriott, which has long had a reputation for high standards of hotel cleanliness with well-established cleaning
processes and training in place, has created the Marriott Global Cleanliness Council to tackle the realities of the
COVID-19 pandemic at the hotel level and further advance the company’s efforts in this area. The Marriott Global
Cleanliness Council is focused on developing the next level of global hospitality cleanliness standards, norms and
behaviors that are designed to minimize risk and enhance safety for consumers and Marriott associates alike.
The Council is chaired by Ray Bennett, Chief Global Officer, Global Operations, Marriott International, and will
benefit from knowledge and input from both in-house and outside experts including senior leaders from across
Marriott disciplines like housekeeping, engineering, food safety, occupational health and associate wellbeing. The
Council also includes advisory members Dr. Ruth L. Petran, Senior Corporate Scientist, Food Safety & Public Health
for Ecolab, a global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services; Dr. Michael A. Sauri,
Infectious Disease Specialist at Adventist Healthcare; Dr. Richard Ghiselli, Head of the School of Hospitality &
Tourism Management at Purdue University; and Dr. Randy Worobo, Professor of Food Microbiology in the
Department of Food Science at Cornell University.
“Marriott has a long tradition of emphasizing cleanliness in our care of guest rooms and in the public spaces of our
hotels,” said Bennett. “Through the council and scientific advice of experts, we are taking a thoughtful approach to
set an even higher bar of cleanliness and develop new guest interaction protocols. The Marriott Global Cleanliness
Council is focused on more than just disinfection across the hotel, we are providing a holistic approach designed to
take care of our guests and associates.”
Enhanced Technology to Counter Virus Spread
Marriott is rolling out enhanced technologies over the next few months, including electrostatic sprayers with
hospital-grade disinfectant to sanitize surfaces throughout the hotel. Electrostatic spraying technology uses the
highest classification of disinfectants recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and
World Health Organization (WHO) to treat known pathogens. The sprayers rapidly clean and disinfect entire areas
and can be used in a hotel setting to clean and disinfect guest rooms, lobbies, gyms and other public areas. In
addition, the company is testing ultraviolet light technology for sanitizing keys for guests and devices shared by
associates.
Cleanliness Changes
Over the next few months, when guests are in hotels within the Marriott portfolio, they will notice a number of
additions to our cleaning regimen designed to set an even higher standard of cleanliness for the hotels. Specific
areas of focus include:
• Surface Areas: COVID-19 has raised awareness about the importance of high-touch surface cleanliness. In
public spaces, the company has added to its already rigorous cleaning protocols, requiring that surfaces
are thoroughly treated with hospital-grade disinfectants and that this cleaning is done with increased
frequency. In guest rooms, the company has likewise added to its rigorous protocols, requiring that all
surfaces are thoroughly cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants. Marriott will also be placing
disinfecting wipes in each room for guests’ personal use.
• Guest Contact: The CDC and WHO warn about direct, person-to-person contact as the primary way
COVID-19 is spread. To help alleviate the risk of transmission this way, the company will be using signage
in its lobbies to remind guests to maintain social distancing protocols and removing or re-arranging
furniture to allow more space for distancing. Marriott is also evaluating adding partitions at front desks to
provide an extra level of precaution for our guests and associates and is working with supply chain
partners to make masks and gloves available to associates. The company is installing more hand sanitizing
stations at the entrances to its hotels, near the front desk, elevator banks and fitness and meeting spaces.
In addition, in over 3,200 of Marriott’s hotels, guests can choose to use their phones to check in, access
their rooms, make special requests and order room service that will be specially packaged and delivered
right to the door without contact.
• Food Safety: Marriott’s food safety program includes enhanced sanitation guidelines and training videos
for all operational associates that includes hygiene and disinfecting practices. At Marriott, all food
handlers and supervisors are trained on safe food preparation and service practices. Marriott’s food and
beverage operations are required to conduct self-inspection using the company’s food safety standards as
guidelines, and compliance is validated by independent audits. In addition, the company is modifying its
operational practices for in-room dining and designing new approaches to buffets.
“Safety for our guests and associates has always been a top priority for Marriott and today that discussion of safety
is in the context of COVID-19,” said Bennett. “We want our guests to know that we are doing everything we can to
welcome them back to a safe and clean hotel environment when they start traveling again.”
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of
more than 7,300 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 134 countries and territories. Marriott operates and
franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott
Bonvoy™, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com,
and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us
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