Bethesda, MD — November 30, 2012 – Reflecting Marriott International’s (NYSE:MAR) increasing focus on global markets, the company is now offering its successful mobile app for iPhone, iPod touch, and Android devices in Chinese, Spanish, German and French. First introduced in English three months ago, the app has already been downloaded more than 500,000 times.
Travelers were so eager for the new Marriott mobile booking app that in less than two days after introduction it became the most downloaded free travel app and the fourth most downloaded free app in the iTunes App Store.
Don’t have an iPhone, iPod touch, or Android device? No problem. The company also announces the launch of its all new “app-like” Marriott mobile website in Chinese, Spanish, German and French, as well as English, that can be accessed from any web-enabled mobile device – the site even has an “app like feel,” from taps to finger-swipes.
“As the Marriott International portfolio of hotels expands and diversifies worldwide, we are putting a premium on investing in our eCommerce channels, including mobile,“ said Shafiq Khan, senior vice president, eCommerce for Marriott International. “The launch of the app and new mobile website in four additional languages demonstrates Marriott’s commitment to serving our customers by speaking their language while they are on the go.”
The new Marriott Mobile tools enable time-crunched travelers to quickly find nearby hotels, book a room, check their upcoming reservations and get details about their hotel, including photos. With the app and mobile website, travelers can also enroll in Marriott Rewards, check their point balance, and even find out what’s happening in the local area.
To download the free Marriott app in Chinese go to www.marriott.com.cn/marriott/mobile-apps.mi, in Spanish go to www.espanol.marriott.com/marriott/mobile-apps.mi, in German go to www.marriott.de/marriott/mobile-apps.mi, and in French go to www.marriott.fr/marriott/mobile-apps.mi. The English version is available at www.marriott.com/marriott/mobile-apps.mi.
As further validation of Marriott International’s long-term mobile strategy, Internet Retailer predicted in September that Marriott Mobile would be the third largest mobile commerce sales platform in the world in 2011, behind only Amazon.com and Apple. The success of Marriott Mobile builds on the success of Marriott.com. In 2010 based on property-level sales, Marriott.com ranked among the top ten consumer retail websites in the world.
Marriott’s mobile app for smartphones and its upgraded mobile website were provided and developed by Kony Solutions, which provides unique Write Once, Run Everywhere platform technology utilizing its work with Kony Solutions. The platform leverages a single application definition so applications are designed and developed just once, meaning Marriott will be able to deliver richer content to its guests more quickly. Marriott’s mobile website and apps are hosted and managed by AT&T and include quality control testing to ensure the most positive user experience.
Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.
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