Minister Billy Kelleher TD announces 220 new jobs in a 2^nd Marriott International Operation for Cork

New operation follows Marriott’s review and consolidation of its global activities

Billy Kelleher TD, Minister for Labour Affairs at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, today (Monday, 3^rd November 2008) announced that Marriott International, Inc, one of the world’s largest hoteliers, is to establish its second operation in Cork, supported by Government through IDA Ireland, creating 220 new high quality jobs over five years. The new Cork centre will be responsible for handling reservation and customer inquiry calls for Marriott International’s more than 3,100 hotels originating from Ireland, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.

The new centre, located in a 10,400 square feet facility in Blackpool, Cork City, will help to better serve the guests of Marriott International’s rapidly expanding global network of hotels and is expected to handle approximately 1,500,000 calls by the end of 2009.

Making the announcement, Minister Kelleher said “We are delighted that Marriott chose Ireland and Cork for its second operation. It shows a level of confidence that the company has in our ability to provide the highly skilled personnel necessary to support a rapidly growing international business. Marriott’s positive experiences at its existing Vacation Club International facility in Cork and the standard of its Irish management and workforce were instrumental factors in securing this investment for Cork against strong competition from other global locations. It is also a substantial endorsement of Ireland’s reputation in the business of global customer services and support activities.”

Marriott’s existing Cork City operation - MVCI (Marriott Vacation Club International) Services Limited - was established in 2002 as a European Regional Headquarters in an $8 million investment, supported by IDA Ireland. It currently employs 160 of the 250 people planned for recruitment over five years.

This expansion builds on Marriott’s commitment to offering a personalized guest experience and to better serve its guests with enhanced regionalized capabilities. “There are significant advantages to doing business in Cork,” said Kaye Dengel, Senior Vice President, Marriott Sales & Customer Care offices. “Cork offers great value, combined with a skilled and ready labour force. It is an ideal business choice for Marriott International and a nice win for the city’s growing economy.”

This opening marks Marriott’s fifth international contact centre and 13^th worldwide. Centres are positioned strategically around the world to serve customers who prefer using traditional voice channels. The centres offer guests the capability to communicate in 12 languages including English, German, French, Arabic, Italian, and Spanish. Marriott currently operates global contact centres in the following locations: Omaha, NE; Salt Lake City, UT; San Antonio, TX; Solon, OH; Miami, FL; Fredericton, New Brunswick; Sarnia-Ontario, Saskatoon; Mexico City; Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo and Dubai.