7.16.2008 - 02:23pm ET

(CSRwire) BETHESDA, MD. - July 16, 2008 - With more than 3,000 hotels worldwide, 400 of which are located outside the U.S, the need to be multi-lingual is greater than ever. Today, Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is responding to its international growth with the launch of Global Language Learning, an online resource provided by Rosetta Stone(R) that will offer up to 30 languages to choose from. Additionally, Marriott is also expanding its highly acclaimed and successful Sed de Saber program, a handheld, portable device that teaches English to Spanish-speaking employees, will now teach Spanish to English-speaking employees.

"Our global workforce is growing tremendously," said David Rodriguez, executive vice president, global human resources, Marriott International, Inc. "This new tool with Rosetta Stone will allow us to build upon the success of Sed de Saber, which was successful in enhancing manager and employee relationships, guest relations and employee confidence. Global Language Learning will offer a flexible, self-paced learning atmosphere which is a benefit to employees worldwide."

More than 1,400 Marriott employees have participated in the Sed de Saber program since its launch in 2006. Results have shown an increase in English proficiency by more than 65 percent. Workers are gaining confidence in managing their careers within the company as well as sharing the device and learning at home. The Global Language Learning program will be an additional resource to improve communication among guests, managers and colleagues and provide greater opportunity for career advancement. And, now with Rosetta Stone, we will be able to realize these benefits in multiple markets.

Marriott will begin offering the program throughout the U.S. at its company-operated hotels, regional offices and Bethesda, Md. headquarters. The program will roll-out to Marriott International’s subsidiaries, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Marriott Vacation Club International by year-end 2009.

Marriott expects to more than double its portfolio of hotels in the Middle East from 26 to more than 60 through 2011. In China, there are 37 Marriott International-branded properties and 23 scheduled to open in the next few years. The Caribbean and Central and South America present another growth region. We are adding hotels in places like Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and some of the resort islands, like a Ritz-Carlton in the Bahamas and Renaissance resorts in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and Curacao. For more information or to book a room, visit www.marriott.com.

Rosetta Stone uses an innovative method called Dynamic Immersion(R) that uses technology to provide effective and flexible learning opportunities, making it accessible to people of all languages and abilities. For more information on Rosetta Stone, visit www.rosettastone.com.

"Note: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements about the number of hotels that will be opened in the future and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the uncertain environment in the lodging industry and the economy generally; supply and demand changes for hotel rooms, vacation ownership, condominiums, and corporate housing; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment; and other risk factors identified in our most recent annual or quarterly report on Form 10-K or 10-Q; any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein. These statements are made as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise."
Rosetta Stone Inc. is the leading provider of language-learning software. Acclaimed for the speed, power and effectiveness of its Dynamic Immersion(R) method, Rosetta Stone has revolutionized language-learning. While teaching 31 languages to millions of people in more than 150 countries throughout the world, Rosetta Stone is the key to language-learning success. Inc. Magazine has named Rosetta Stone Inc. one of the 500 fastest-growing companies in the United States, and for the third year Deloitte and Touche has named it one of the fastest-growing technology companies in Virginia. The company was founded in 1992 on two core beliefs: that the natural way people learn languages as children remains the most successful method for learning new languages; and that interactive CD-ROM and online technology can replicate and activate the immersion method powerfully for learners of any age. The company is based in Arlington, Va. For more information, visit www.RosettaStone.com

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company more than 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 67 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(R), 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 www.marriott.com.

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