HONOLULU, Hawaii – February 27, 2007 – Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) announced today that it has named Rodney Ito general manager of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. The 555-room property at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii recently completed a renovation in excess of $50 million.

Ito takes over the helm from Nihad Kattan who has been appointed area vice president of Marriott International, Middle East and Africa.

Prior to accepting his new post, Ito was director of operations at the 1,310-room Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Oahu, which he joined in 2004. Before that he was general manager of Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort when it was owned and managed by Outrigger Hotels and operated under a sales and marketing franchise agreement with Marriott International.

“With 22 years of hospitality experience, I am confident that Rodney will successfully reposition the newly renovated Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and achieve the hotel’s vision and mission,” said Ed Hubennette, vice president of Marriott International, Japan, Hawaii and South Pacific. “Rodney’s return to the Big Island of Hawaii was a strategic move because of his familiarity with not only the resort but also the community.”

Prior to his employment with Outrigger Hotels, Ito held key senior management positions at Hilton Hotels in California, Alaska, Oregon and Hawaii.

Ito was born and raised in Kaneohe, Hawaii. In his leisure time, he enjoys golf, ocean sports and family time. He has three children.