AROUND THE WORLD BY BICYCLE

Adventurer Cycling Around the World
Stays at the Marriott Executive Apartment Manama, Bahrain.



Manama, Bahrain – January 13, 2009 – The Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain joins the project "Around the World by Bicycle". 120.000 km through more than 100 countries in the five continents was the target, conducted by the young adventurer Pablo Garcia. His message is straight forward: “Peace and friendship among societies and different cultures, tradition and their way of living”.

"Being the first Marriott brand property in Bahrain and the first time for Pablo to reach Bahrain, we apparently have the same vision to spread voice of peace to the world, and I am very glad to announce this collaboration," said Marwan Haddad, Director of Sales at the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama Bahrain.

Pablo Garcia with his bike in front of Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain

Pablo Garcia who reached Bahrain on the 6th January is currently staying at the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama until 14 January 2009. As part of the expedition programs in Bahrain, Pablo has been visiting some places of interest and meeting Bahrainis for cultural study as well as symbolically spreading the peace message.

"Traveling is a worth – living experience. I choose cycling because it's a way of reaching every place's heart and of its people. This is my story and I wish to share with you," said Pablo Garcia.

Recognized by UNDP and UNEP, the project demanded to cycle up today of 69.800km during seven years in 57 countries through South America, Africa, Europe and Middle East.

During the next 4 months, the Argentinean Pablo will cycle from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman. He will continue his journey to Iran, Pakistan, India, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The last part will be cycling from North America to Argentina which means will take another 50,000 km during the next 4 and half years.

"As Marriott concerns on peace awareness, we are very proud to be one of the sponsors to support Pablo Garcia to pedal the message of peace and tolerance. We believe, the Marriott Executive Apartment is the right stop over to continue his peaceful journey," said Hossein Garan, General Manager Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain.


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Marriott Executive Apartments, the upscale serviced apartment brand of Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) will nearly double in size in the next 36 months to respond to a growing need in many emerging markets for long-term stay lodging for executive expatriates needing spacious housing and hotel amenities. Including Bahrain, Marriott operates 17 Marriott Executive Apartments in 14 countries outside the U.S., and 14 more hotels are planned in countries such as Qatar, Thailand, Egypt, China, India, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.


MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 3,100 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at http://www.marriott.com/.