Marriott International Asia Pacific today launched “Your Smile Travels A Thousand Miles” campaign, to celebrate the company’s associates and guests’ resilience throughout the year and promote the smiles behind the masks to highlight positivity and solidarity. The campaign also unveiled an artwork created by Singaporean artist collective Ripple Root, “Smiles that Travelled a Thousand Miles”, inspired by the 3,000 smiling faces and heart-warming stories of Marriott International associates and guests collected during the campaign.
“In a year of unprecedented impact to travel and to the health and livelihoods of people working in the industry, we want to pay tribute to the determination, resilience and positivity of associates, guests and communities across 800 hotels in Asia Pacific.” said Craig Smith, Group President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific , Marriott International.
“I am so proud of our associates who have faced this challenging year head on and never stopped smiling. we are staying positive and look forward to welcoming our guests over the festive period and in the new year ahead.”
Featured in Sotheby’s first online auction, emerging art talent Ripple Root was commissioned by Marriott International to inspire people across Asia Pacific with the wonders of travel and look forward to the new year as we recover from a challenging year. Ripple Root are renowned for bold color, rhythmic strokes, and playful patterns, resulting in carefree works which exude a youthful energy and simple naiveté.
“We are so inspired by the smiling faces and the touching stories presented to us. Everyone has gone through this unprecedented year in different ways, it was very inspiring to see how associates and guests find ways to smile and really touched our hearts. Through the artwork we hope to convey the same feeling of hope and warmth, and inspire everyone to stay positive and hopeful for the year ahead,” said Liquan Liew and Estella Ng, artists behind Ripple Root.
The artwork depicts a group of Marriott International associates from across Asia Pacific who are of diverse backgrounds, but all share the same smile which radiates positivity and resilience. The piece is anchored by botanical forms and tree branches symbolizing flourishing hope for the new year.
From now on until 6 January 2021, guests and travellers can view the original art piece at JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach. The digital rendition of the artwork will also be on display at selected Marriott International hotels across Asia Pacific.
Guests are also invited to share their stories of “What make them smile in 2020 and where would you like to travel in 2021” in Your Smile Travels A Thousand Miles social media giveaway campaign on Marriott Bonvoy Asia Pacific Facebook Page during December 17th – 23rd, 2020.
In the past year, the impacts COVID-19 has had on the hospitality business is significant. While prioritizing the health and safety of associates and guests, Marriott International’s associates have been more energized than ever to provide support to their communities. Hotels donated essential items including face masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies to front-line and medical workers, families, and community groups.
To date, associates from hotels across Asia Pacific have volunteered over 85,000 hours to serve their communities. For example, Marriott International hotels in Wuhan took care of more than 1,000 medical heroes who fight at frontline against virus providing them with accommodation. While in Thailand, 25 hotels in Greater Bangkok donated unused linen and uniforms to produce 4,800 face masks for the local charity, SOS Bangkok. Through the Healthcare Hero Rate Program, Marriott International offers special rates at over 100 participating hotels across Asia-Pacific for healthcare professionals to enjoy a well-earned rest while they take time out.
