Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Marriott was ranked no. 33 in 2017’s Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work for list. It marked the company’s 20th time appearing on the list.
Initially founded in 1927 by John Willard Marriott with his wife Alice Sheets Marriott, the hotel started as a stand selling root beer. The Marriotts were of the opinion that the stand was a great idea as people were looking for a cool place to drink during the hot summer. However, that later led to the expansion of their stand into a chain called Hot Shoppes, then the company went public and was renamed Hot Shoppes Inc.
The first Marriott hotel was opened in 1957 in Arlington, Virginia. The second hotel was opened in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington. Later in 1967, the chain of hotels called Hot Shoppes, Inc was later renamed to Marriott Corporation.
Today the Marriott hotel chain exists in 131 countries internationally. It also has two theme parks with hotels opening up in new locations almost every year.
Marriott’s success is, in part credited to the company’s mission statement which clearly lays out the business’s goals and commitments to its customers, making it worth dissecting and analyzing.
Marriott’s Mission Statement and Analysis
Marriott’s mission statement is: “To enhance the lives of our customers by creating and enabling unsurpassed vacation and leisure experiences.”
The hotel giant commits to “enhance the lives of customers” in its mission statement. It is a commitment that has helped not only raise Marriott’s profile but also made it raise the bar in the industry. Many other hotels aspire to become the Marriott for this very same reason.
The Marriott also promises to raise the bar on fun and leisure for their residents. “by creating and enabling unsurpassed vacation and leisure experiences” the Marriott is able to do this by customizing the experience to each visitor, tourist or resident. That’s something that few if any, other hotels are able to do, making the Marriott the hotel of choice for either a luxurious, eventful, or productive trip.
Marriott’s Vision Statement
Marriott’s vision statement is: “To become the premiere provider and facilitator of leisure & vacation experiences in the world.”
It is clear from Marriott’s vision statement that the company wants to become and remain the top provider in the hospitality industry. While the vision statement does not mention competition, it does allude to being the best facilitator of “leisure & vacation experiences.” That’s one of the reasons why entertainment and tourism are associated with the Marriott brand.
Marriott’s global approach means that it can deliver exclusive experiences to its clients and residents regardless of their location. It consequently points to the level of service being sustained across its entire network.
Marriott’s Core Values
Marriott’s core values are: “We put people first, we pursue excellence, we embrace change, we act with integrity, and we serve our world.
The Marriott has succeeded where others have failed because one of its core values is “put people first” which in the hospitality industry people matter. Putting their customers/clients first is what has allowed the Marriott to consistently work in line with its mission statement and vision for the company.
Furthermore, the ability to embrace change while pursuing excellence is the hallmark of resilience, which in this industry consequently means success. That’s precisely why the Marriott has been able to become the topmost service in this industry even in times of global turmoil.
