Protea Hotels by MarriottĀ® Named Coolest Hotel Brand in South Africa for the 7th Consecutive Year Now in its 13th year, Generation Next polls the opinions of over 5,500 young South Africans mainly below 22 years of age from urban and peri-urban environments in six provinces across South Africa DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 15, 2017/APO/ -- In an announcement that re enforces the brand’s growing traction in the South African market, Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) (www.Marriott.com) today announced that Protea Hotels by Marriott® (www.ProteaHotels.com) has been named the Coolest Hotel Brand in the Sunday Times Generation Next Survey 2017. Designed for the progressive yet pragmatic traveller seeking a high-­quality travel experience, Protea Hotels by Marriott® has been consistently emerging as a favorite in South Africa particularly with the young travellers winning this coveted recognition for the 7th consecutive year. “Our forever-young market comprising of the next generation of travellers consists of a vital segment of progressive individualists and forward-thinkers and we are delighted to see that Protea Hotels by Marriott® is a brand that is resonating with this audience in South Africa,” said Neal Jones, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “South African brands look to the prestigious Sunday Times Generation Next Survey as an industry benchmark and we are excited to be featured in the coveted list, year on year, gaining the confidence of this important and key market and the next generation of travelers.” Emphasizing the importance of being perceived as “cool”, Danny Bryer, Area Director for Sales & Marketing, Protea Hotels by Marriott added, “Reinvention is the key to success in an extremely competitive market and must take place on a continuous basis to stay relevant. We are committed to providing a dynamic and personalised experience at every touchpoint of the guest journey. Our associates, a large number of them from the next generation themselves, help us deliver a level of service that not only matches global standards but is also uniquely local, understanding and anticipating needs and making each guest stay memorable.” Now in its 13th year, Generation Next polls the opinions of over 5,500 young South Africans mainly below 22 years of age from urban and peri-urban environments in six provinces across South Africa. The lifestyle and consumer behaviour questionnaire is boosted by over 4,500 additional face-to-face interviews. The results of the 2017 Generation Next Survey were published on 12 May 2017. Connect with Protea Hotels by Marriott on twitter and Instagram @ProteaHotels, and on Facebook. Distributed by APO on behalf of Marriott International, Inc..Media Contacts: Bonny Feldman Senior Account Manager Irvine Partners +27214624033, 0764957167 bonny@irbvinepartners.co.za Anjali Mehra Anjali.mehra@marriott.com +971 565396555 About Protea Hotels by Marriott Protea Hotels by Marriott® is the leading hospitality brand in Africa and it is one of the most widely recognized brands in Africa.  The strategic footprint includes 90+ hotels throughout South Africa and seven other African countries, including Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Ghana and Uganda amongst others.  Protea Hotels by Marriott® is ideal for both business and leisure travelers by offering properties in primary and secondary business centers and desirable leisure destinations.  Each hotel offers modern facilities, proactive and friendly service and consistent amenities such as full service restaurants, meeting spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi, and well-appointed rooms, ensuring global standards for a high quality, relaxed and successful stay.   Protea Hotels by Marriott® is the winner of 8 Coolest Hotel Group awards in the Sunday Times Generation Next surveys, the winner of the Ask Africa South African Customer Service Award 2013 and Icon Brand 2015, and the winner of the Hotels category in the Ask Afrika 2015/2016 Youth Brands Survey.  The hotel group was bought by Marriott International in April 2014 and forms part of Marriott’s global brand portfolio made up of 30 leading brands that operate more than 6,000 hotels in 122 countries.  For more information, visit www.ProteaHotels.com Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) (www.Marriott.com) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,000 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 122 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.Marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.MarriottNewsCenter.com. Connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/marriottinternational) and @MarriottIntl on Twitter (https://twitter.com/MarriottIntl) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/marriottintl).