I looked up sustainability in the dictionary the other day, it's one of those words that I never used to come across and now it's everywhere. 

The dictionary has more than ten meanings that range from protecting the health of the planet to creating jobs and improving living conditions.  Marriott's recent Sustainability Report has all the definitions covered.  I'm so proud to be part of a company that is leading the way in being a good global citizen.   We don't just write a check and walk away.  Marriott is active in shaping the programs and this global involvement is astounding. 

Here are a few highlights.  For example, there's a section on the hotel being built in Haiti.  "The hotel is scheduled to open in 2014, creating jobs and much-needed hotel and meeting space as Haiti recovers."

 sus·tain·abil·i·ty: job creation; economic development

 The report looks at Marriott's partnerships to help protect the Brazilian rain forest and the fresh water in the mountains of China.  A world apart, these sustainability efforts have the same goal – protecting natural resources while creating sustainable livelihoods.  After all, we need a healthy planet for people to travel and explore. In Brazil, the villagers harvest nuts.  In China, they harvest honey from bee farms.  Two ways communities are caring for their own environments and developing "sustainable" ways of making a living. 

sus·tain·abil·i·ty: environmental stewardship

I looked up sustainability in the dictionary the other day.  It's one of those words that used to be linked to a company's enduring financial performance. Now it seems to be everywhere. The dictionary has more than ten meanings that range from protecting the health of the planet to creating jobs and improving living conditions.  Marriott's recent sustainability report has all the definitions covered.  I'm so proud to be part of a company that is leading the way in being a good global citizen.  We don't just write a check and walk away.  Marriott is active in shaping the programs, and this global involvement is really astounding.

Here are a few highlights.  For example, there's a section on the hotel being built in Haiti.  The hotel is scheduled to open in 2014, creating jobs and much-needed hotel and meeting space as Haiti recovers.

sus·tain·abil·i·ty: job creation; economic development

The report looks at Marriott's partnerships to help protect the Brazilian rain forest and the fresh water in the mountains of China.  A world apart, these sustainability efforts have the same goal – protecting natural resources while creating sustainable livelihoods. 

After all, we need a healthy planet for people to travel and explore.  In Brazil, the villagers harvest nuts.  In China, they harvest honey from bee farms.  Two ways communities are caring for their own environments and developing "sustainable" ways of making a living.

sus·tain·abil·i·ty: environmental stewardship

Youth unemployment is very high particularly among kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.  Hotels need well-trained workers interested in careers in hospitality. 

In Europe, our hotels have partnered with two groups to provide this training: SOS Children's Villages in Continental Europe and The Prince's Trust Fairbridge in the United Kingdom. After completing her training in the SOS program in Berlin, Viktoria (right) was hired as a waitress at the Midtown Grill at the Berlin Marriott.

sus·tain·abil·i·ty: Educating and training the next generation

A universal definition of sustainability remains elusive, but that's not a bad thing.  If Marriott's Sustainability Report is any indication, the word's meaning will keep growing and so will our commitment.

What's your definition of sustainability?  Leave me a comment.

I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.

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