Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) announced today that Franchise Times magazine ranked Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites eighth out of the world`s top 200 franchise systems. Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites is the only hotel brand to make the top ten list in the magazine`s annual franchise report. In addition, Marriott had four other hotel brands in the top 100, including Courtyard, Renaissance, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn.

Companies were judged on financial size and number of units. Marriott International, Inc. has more than 2,000 hotels worldwide, including more than 1,000 franchised hotels under the Marriott, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names. Marriott plans to manage or franchise a hotel in every gateway city in the world within the next five years. The company`s goal is to reach 2,600 hotels and over 480,000 rooms by 2003.
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,000 operating units in the United States and 58 other countries and territories. Marriott Lodging operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by Marriott division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, wholesale food distribution, procurement services and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 151,000 employees. In fiscal year 1999, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $17.7 billion. For more information or for reservations, please visit us at www.marriott.com.

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