Marriott welcomes LGBT guests

Hotel chain launches ‘Be You, With Us’ campaign in celebration of Pride Season

Marriott is putting out the welcome mat to LGBT guests with its "Be You, With Us" campaign in celebration of Pride Season. Photo by Noah Berger, Associated Press/ SF

Marriott is proudly waving the rainbow flag and is eagerly courting the LGBT community with its “Be You, With Us” campaign.

In an effort to celebrate Pride Season, Marriott International, Inc., has announced the new marketing campaign aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) travelers, friends and families.

In time for Pride Season

The marketing effort coincides with Pride Season, which is typically observed from June through September in cities around the world that host gay pride parades and festivals to celebrate the LGBT community. The message and the associated imagery is to welcome all guests to be themselves when staying with Marriott.

Travel packages and hotel experiences are all part of the campaign that culminates with a sweepstakes, where one grand prize winner will receive a trip  to either the 2013 New York, San Francisco, or Berlin Gay Pride Festivals; a trip valued at $5,000. Travelers can register for the sweepstakes through www.marriott.com/pride.

Participating Marriott brands include: JW Marriott, Renaissance, Autograph, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard, SpringHill, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites.

Generous lodging deals

From June until September, travelers can book “Be You, With Us” hotel deals and packages through the www.marriott.com/pride website. Packages include:

• The Rainbow NOLA offer, which features deluxe accommodations at several New Orleans hotels
• The Get a Room! Vancouver Pride packages at the Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown.
• The Rainbow Connection LGBT Special offer at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Hawaii that includes a $300 hotel credit for your stay plus daily breakfast for two at the resort restaurant.

Marriott's new LGBT campaign offers vacation packages to the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Hawaii. (Photo courtesy of Marriott International)

“We are proud of this campaign and of our long-standing reputation for our commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Joanna Todd, vice president, segment strategy, in a press release. “Our core strength lies in our ability to embrace differences and make everyone feel respected and valued when they visit and stay in our hotels.”

More campaigns planned

Todd also revealed that, later this year, Marriott will launch new campaigns to reach African American and Latino audiences.

The campaign was created in partnership with UniWorld Group, Inc., Marriott’s Multicultural Marketing agency in collaboration with the company’s LGBT communications specialist, Bob Witeck, President of Witeck Communications.

This foray into diversity is not new territory for Marriott. The global lodging leader frequently hosts galas and events on behalf of LGBT community leaders, including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), GLAAD, PFLAG, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, among others.

For more information about Marriott’s global diversity and inclusion initiatives, visit www.marriott.com/diversity.