Marriott International’s Abu Dhabi Hotels Support the Special Olympics World Games

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 10 March 2019: Marriott International properties in Abu Dhabi are gearing up to support the upcoming Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. Along with being one of the official suppliers of 2019’s biggest humanitarian and sporting event in the world, over 230 associates across 13 of the company’s properties in Abu Dhabi will also volunteer their service over the 10 days of the Games, resulting in more than 5,500 voluntary hours. 

The company will also cheer on one of their own during the World Games.  Rebecca Hatcher, a student at the Future Rehabilitation Center School in Abu Dhabi and a member of the housekeeping department at the Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi, will represent the United Arab Emirates and participate in the swimming category at the World Games.

Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director of Marriott International, Middle East & Africa, commented: “We are extremely proud to support the World Games Abu Dhabi.  It is incredible to see over 200 of our associates in Abu Dhabi unite to support this global event in our community. Their efforts truly represent the company’s core value of putting people first and giving back to the communities in which we operate. We are also thrilled to support Rebecca’s participation in the World Games and wish her great success during the games.”

Rashed Abdulla, Chief Commercial Officer of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, said: “It is great to see the team at Marriott International leading by example. We hope that more companies across the UAE will be inspired to support the Special Olympics movement.

“There are still so many ways people can get involved, whether it’s as a spectator, as a donor, or as a partner. We look forward to having Marriott associates on board and to seeing Rebecca fulfilling her dreams of showcasing her sporting talent on a global stage.” 

The many months of coordination between the various hotels and the Special Olympics World Games Local Organizing Committee has been led by Marriott’s Abu Dhabi Business Council. The council coordinated with all participating hotels on a regular basis to ensure the employees were given the opportunity to volunteer.  

The volunteered hours will contribute to Marriott International’s Sustainability and Social Impact Platform, Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, which guides how the company makes a positive and sustainable impact wherever it does business. From empowerment opportunities to sustainable hotel development, the platform is designed to foster business growth while balancing the needs of associates, customers, owners, the environment and communities.

Marriott Bonvoy^TM Moments at the Special Olympics World Games, Abu Dhabi 2019

Marriott Bonvoy also collaborated with the Special Olympics World Games on a truly unique Moment for its members.

The Marriott Bonvoy Moment will give members an opportunity to gain exclusive access at the Special Olympics World Games.  This will include the honor of joining their nation’s athletes as they walk into the Zayed Sport City stadium during the opening ceremony and the opportunity to even participate in one of the 15 Unified Sport Experiences with the athletes.

Also included in the Moment will be an invite to the Special Olympics World Games opening ceremony VIP reception at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal and a two-night stay in the Junior Suite of the Marriott Hotel Downtown, Abu Dhabi from 14 – 16 March 2019.  

The experiences during this Moment include access for a member and a guest.

For more information, visit https://moments.marriottbonvoy.com/moments/8042

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,900 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 130 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company now offers one travel program, Marriott BonvoyTM , replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®(SPG). For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

Media Centre: https://www.media.abudhabi2019.org/

Tickets

Tickets for the Opening Ceremony of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 can be purchased, here: https://www.ticketmaster.ae/event/7529?brand=ae_sowg

Those interested in watching the athletes compete in 24 Olympic-style sports can visit www.meetthedetermined.com where registration is open for all Games-time dates and venues.

About Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019  

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces, Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 is an integral part of local, national and regional plans to expand opportunities for people of determination in line with Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s shared vision of a unified and inclusive society.

Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi will be the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world in 2019. From 14 – 21 March, over 7,500 athletes and 3,000 coaches, representing more than 190 nations, will participate in 24 officially sanctioned Olympic-style sports in world-class venues throughout Abu Dhabi and Dubai.‫ 

The first ever Special Olympics World Games to be held in the Middle East and North Africa will also be the most unified Games in the 50-year history of the Special Olympics movement, with inclusion of people of determination with intellectual disabilities in every aspect of the event. 

For more information on Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit abuDhabi2019.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.