Travellers staying at some 80 Marriott International hotels around Asia-Pacific excluding China (APEC) will now have a chance to enjoy an expanded line-up of experiences that will bring them closer to their host destinations and local communities.
The enhanced Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme, which has been in the market for four years – boasts almost 100 experiences offered across close to 80 hotels in 12 APEC destinations.
Experiences are developed based on two considerations – community and environment – and serve to explore what matters most to the host destinations and local communities, allowing travellers to contribute positively to places they visit.
One of these engaging, hands-on experiences in the programme is a soap-crafting workshop at Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, where guests will turn used soaps into new bars using a simple and hygienic method. This project also supports children with cleft lips, palates, and other facial abnormalities, with all proceeds from the workshop donated to Operation Smile.
At Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, guests can learn about local conservation efforts aimed at restoring vital marine habitats and participate in a hands-on, educational coral planting experience.
John Toomey, chief commercial officer, Marriott International, APEC, said at a Singapore press briefing on February 9 that the enhanced Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme aligns with the growing appetite among travellers for quality experiences.
“We know from research that people are moving away from everyday transactions, such as purchasing a watch or purse, and leaning into experiences. We feel it is on us to make sure we bring the best experiences to our guests,” stated Toomey.
He added that activities are carefully curated for the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme, creating an opportunity for guests to “really step out of the hotel and do different things in the community that are only possible when you delve deep”.
Toomey observed that the desire for meaningful experiences is strong across all age groups. As such, the hotel group is committed to growing the programme to not only “win the hearts of all our guests” but also give something positive back to host communities.
