Originally Posted by
david_33
I am currently staying at the Cebu Marriott and noted a Marriott Rewards table set up in the lobby manned by hotel personnel. When I asked the GM about this he told me that there are currently 400,000 MR members in Asia and the goal is to increase this number to 5,000,000 this year. To this end they are trying to provide more benefits to elite members; for example at the Cebu Marriott they now have afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones and desserts in the Executive Lounge and are initiating Manager's Poolside Cocktail Parties this week. I imagine that a similar increase in elite perks will be found at other Asian properties.
This is good news. I'll be at Cebu Marriott soon.
From a marketing point of view, they are going to have to attract a lot of external attention to these extra benefits. I do like the fact that they are starting by getting it right internally first and letting the viral word spread.
I'll be up for the afternoon tea.