Westin supports one of the top six World Marathon Majors by offering premier VIP marathon packages to Marriott Bonvoy members and inspires runners through onsite fitness activities
TOKYO, JAPAN – February 26, 2019 – Westin Hotels and Resorts, part of Marriott International Inc., announced the launch of an official partnership with Tokyo Marathon. The sporting event is part of a series of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world, expected to draw an international field of approximately 38,000 runners as well as 14,000 volunteers who support the marathon event and an estimated 1.3 million spectators worldwide.
The inaugural partnership kicks off ahead of the 2019 Tokyo Marathon and will give members of Marriott Bonvoy – Marriott International’s travel program that replaces Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®(SPG) – exclusive member benefits with even more benefits to come in 2020. The launch will take place at a dedicated Westin Booth during the Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2019 event, to be held from 28 February to 2 March 2019.
“We are extremely excited to launch this milestone partnership between Westin Hotels and the Tokyo Marathon,” said Mike Fulkerson, Vice President, Brand & Marketing Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “Westin guests don’t just get up, rather they rise – to eat, sleep, move, work and play well, so that they can be the best versions of themselves, even while on the road.”
The new partnership between Westin Hotels and Resorts with the Tokyo Marathon focuses on the “Move Well” aspect, bringing the message that Westin Hotels supports its guests’ active lifestyles throughout their stays and provides invaluable behind-the-scenes support for guests traveling to participate in these marathons. Additionally, there will be special fitness events that inspire runners and the public in the lead up to the race.
The Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2019 Westin Booth will feature a pop-up Westin Fitness Center, providing a glimpse of the industry-leading fitness programs available at every Westin hotel. At Westin hotels around the world, more than 225 Run Concierges host group runs and encourage runners of all levels to explore their destinations.
Marathon participants and the general public are invited to visit the Westin Booth at the Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2019 to sign up as a member of Marriott Bonvoy and enter for a chance to win prizes including hotel stays and branded merchandise, as well as a training session with the Westin brand advocate. On 2 March, Westin Wellness Advocate SHIHO, a top Japanese model, yoga instructor and media star, will be conducting a pre-marathon warm-up session at the Westin Booth. She will also be giving a brief talk on the “Eat Well” aspect of training for a marathon.
“As a lifelong fitness enthusiast, I am proud to be a Westin Wellness Advocate, and to help travelers transcend the rigors of balancing a training schedule with travel. I am very much looking forward to meeting the runners at the Westin Booth at the Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2019 and inspiring them to eat well and move well ahead of their big race,” said SHIHO.
On March 3, race day, a Cheer Zone stationed at the finishing line area will motivate and encourage all runners, and Westin Hotels will gift finishers of the 42.192 km marathon course with Westin Heavenly Slippers at the Westin’s Official Partner Booth located in the finish line rest area, to soothe and pamper tired feet.
Westin Hotels’ exciting partnership with the Tokyo Marathon is the latest marathon partnership in the brand’s commitment to inspire travelers to Move Well.
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About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, hospitality’s global leader in wellness for more than a decade, empowers guests to transcend the rigors of travel while on the road through the brand’s Six Pillars of Well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. At more than 225 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, guests can experience wellness offerings, including the brand’s iconic and award-winning Heavenly Bed; game-changing gear lending program, TRX fitness equipment in signature WestinWORKOUT™ Fitness Studios; delicious and nutritious menu offerings, and more. Stay connected to Westin: @westin on Twitter and Instagram and facebook.com/Westin. Westin is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the new name of Marriott’s travel program replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz- Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.
About Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is the new travel program replacing Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) starting February 2019. Comprised of a portfolio of 30 hotel brands, members can earn and redeem points for hotel stays and accelerate the points they earn with co-branded credit cards from Chase and American Express. The program offers 120,000 destination tours and adventures on Marriott Bonvoy Moments. When members book direct on Marriott.com they receive perks including free and enhanced Wi-Fi and exclusive member-only rates, and on the Marriott app they enjoy mobile check-in and checkout, Mobile Requests and, wherever available, Mobile Key. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit MarriottBonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
