New Initiatives Also Unveiled For Loyalty
Members Across The Region
HONG
KONG, CHINA – Media OutReach – March
23, 2018 – Marriott International is kicking off the third year as the Official
Sponsor of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens (April 6 — 8) and Hong Kong
Sevens Festival by unveiling a series of once-in-a-lifetime experiences
exclusive for members of its three loyalty programs — Marriott Rewards, The
Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG). Being an official sponsor
of the city’s biggest sporting event and one of the flagship tournaments on the
international Sevens calendar, reinforces Marriott’s commitment to providing members
exclusive access to the most sought-after events around the world.
(Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Marriott International, Asia Pacific, Marriott International Peggy Fang Roe and Vice President, Brand and Marketing, Marriott International, Asia Pacific Mike Fulkerson at the launch of the Marriott International and HKSEVENS kick-off)
“Today’s travellers
see their points as the gateway to creating memories that last a lifetime,”
said Peggy Fang-Roe, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Marriott International,
Asia Pacific. “The sponsorship of the Hong Kong Sevens creates unbeatable value
for our members by giving them the ability to participate in authentic,
international tent pole events. With over 110 million members of our loyalty
programs around the globe, we’re demonstrating the power of the programs by
leveraging exciting partnerships and providing amazing experiences such as we
are doing here with the Hong Kong Sevens.”
The
festivities begin even before the games have started with the HKSEVENS Festival at Lee Gardens, the
weekends of March 30 — April 2 and April 6 — 8. Food lovers can enjoy menus
featuring local favourites specially created by Marriott’s award-winning chefs
from Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel, Hong Kong Skycity Marriott Hotel
and Courtyard by Marriott Shatin, in a creatively designed, fun, urban dining
environment. For even more excitement at the street festival and demonstrate how
#MembersGetMore, the Marriott pop-up themed space will be placed next to an
exciting aquarium prize grab game (teasing guests to the upcoming opening of
Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel later this year), open to those who sign up
for one of the three loyalty programs.
Families
who are members of Marriott Rewards and SPG can use their Rewards points or Starpoints to take part in Junior Rugby Clinics at Hysan Place (2 April), where a limited
number of spaces have been reserved exclusively for children to meet rugby
star, Waisale Serevi, for an exclusive coaching session.
More member
exclusive experiences include the HKSEVENS
Kick Off Concert (5 April), headlined by legendary British band UB40 with a
mix of old classics and their latest reggae beats. Sponsored by Marriott
Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and SPG, members will receive premium
seating and exclusive access to the Marriott VIP area. These packages can be
redeemed directly on Marriott Rewards Moments and SPG Moments for 15,000 Rewards points
and 5,000 Starpoints respectively.
For the
ultimate money-can’t-buy HKSEVENS experience, members who redeem 45,000 Rewards
points/15,000 Starpoints can enjoy ultimate access to the Marriott Executive
Suite. Enjoy the comfort and atmosphere of the Sevens with The VIP Package (April 6 -8) which includes premium hospitality,
performances and activities including head and shoulder massage, face painting and
a family-friendly tote-bag making workshop. Members can also bid for a VIP
package, starting at 15,000 Rewards points/ 5,000 Starpoints, which includes an
anticipated meet and greet with rugby players from the USA Eagles team, and
autographed balls and jerseys.
To
further strengthen Marriott’s partnership with HKSEVENS, its flagship Marriott
Hotels has launched a trio of online videos with international rugby legend
Sebastien Chabal that captures the sportsman and a rugby fan in three comedic
scenarios that showcase how Marriott Hotels is enabling guests to have thoughtful, dynamic and inventive experiences at the
HKSEVENS sporting event. This will be supported by a surprise moment in the
stadium that will have all fans on their feet cheering and heading to the
loyalty booth to sign up for a free membership and chances to win prizes.
Fans
around the world can also log onto to play Running Rugby online and also find the link via Marriott
Hotels Facebook page — a rugby-themed game to win hotel prizes to key Marriott
Hotels destinations across Asia-Pacific. The fun and interactive rugby game will transport gamers to key
Marriott Hotels destinations across Asia-Pacific including Hong Kong, Shanghai,
Bangkok, Jeju and Sydney.
“The
flagship of the Marriott International portfolio, Marriott Hotels, is a brand
known for innovation. We’ve tapped international rugby star Sebastian Chabal
for our ‘Stay Brilliant’ video campaign to bring to life our brand promises in
an uplifting and humorous way,” said Mike Fulkerson, Vice President, Brand and
Marketing Asia Pacific at Marriott International. “When guests check into a
Marriott Hotel, they’ll be invited to join our best-in-class Marriott Rewards
loyalty program and have access to exclusive experiences.”
The Hong
Kong Sevens is just one of several initiatives in Asia Pacific where members
have exclusive access to major culinary, lifestyle, sport and entertainment
events. Car racing fans will enjoy the benefits of a global partnership with
Formula One’s Mercedes Petronas team through grandstand seats at the Shanghai
and Melbourne races in Asia Pacific. In Shanghai, the partnership with the
Mercedes-Benz Arena will include access to thrilling events and concerts
throughout the year from the comfort of a members’ suite inside the stadium. Marriott
Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and SPG continue to provide members with
amazing, exclusive access and experiences that enable them to pursue their
passions through travel.
About
Marriott Rewards
Marriott International’s award-winning
loyalty program — Marriott Rewards — spans 18 unique and iconic global brands
and over 4,700 distinctive properties. Members of Marriott Rewards® – which includes The
Ritz-Carlton Rewards® – can link their accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest®
at members.marriott.com for expanded
benefits including instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer
across portfolios. When members book their stays
on Marriott.com or the Marriott Mobile app, they earn loyalty points, enjoy the advantage of exclusive Member
Rates, our lowest available rates, and gain
an elevated stay experience with free Wi-Fi, mobile check-in and checkout, and
Mobile Service Requests wherever available. The hugely popular Marriott
Rewards has won the Freddie Award for “Hotel Program of the Year–Americas” nine
consecutive years as chosen by frequent travellers. Marriott Rewards is
free to join and has no blackout dates. To enroll and for more information
about the program, guests may visit. Connect with Marriott Rewards on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®) is an
innovative, award-winning frequent traveller program that unites 11 luxury and
distinctive hotel brands in more than 1,400 properties in 97 countries and
territories around the world. SPG
reinvented the hospitality loyalty landscape when it launched in 1999 with its
breakthrough policy of no blackout dates, and over the years has continued its
tradition of innovation with enhancements such as Cash + Points, Your24™, SPG
Lifetime™, SPG Moments and 4 p.m. late checkout when available. SPG also offers
the opportunity for meeting and travel professionals to earn rich rewards
including Starpoints and elite status through SPG Pro. SPG has an ongoing
commitment to meeting the needs of today’s connected global traveller by
leveraging must-have mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android that utilize
state-aware technology to create a more personalized hotel stay. All of this
has helped SPG build a passionate member base among the world’s most frequent travellers.
Learn more about the #spglife at spg.com, spg.com/pro and spg.com/moments and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SPG
members can now also link their accounts with Marriott Rewards® – which
includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® – for instant elite status matching and
unlimited points transfer at spg.com/Marriott.
About
Ritz-Carlton Rewards
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards is the loyalty program of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company,
L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., which currently operates nearly 100 hotels and
resorts in 31 countries and territories. Members can earn and redeem points at
participating The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott International properties
worldwide. Members of Marriott Rewards® – which includes The
Ritz-Carlton Rewards® – can link their accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest®
at members.marriott.com for expanded
benefits including instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer
across portfolios. For more information, or reservations, visit the
company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com The
Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International,
Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR).
