Marriott International’s Road to Awareness Campaign Kicks off at the Dead Sea

After months of preparation including gruelling training programmes, dedicated nutrition plans, and considerable fundraising efforts, today, 23 associates from Marriott International have set off on a cross-country journey for the long-distance cycle challenge of the Road To Awareness initiative.

Now celebrating its 10^th year, the annual campaign was founded by Guido de Wilde, Chief Operating Officer Middle East for Marriott International, and sees associates from Marriott International hotels across the MEA region take part in a long-distance cycle with the goal of raising funds and awareness for children in need, in the communities where the group’s properties are based. This year’s cycle takes place in Jordan, and will cover a distance of 570 km through Jordan from October 12^th to 14^th. This year’s campaign is raising funds for organizations including the Al Jalila Foundation in the UAE, the King Hussein Cancer Foundation in the Jordan, the Rehabilitation Institute for Autism and Related Sickness (RIA) in Bahrain, Education Above All in Qatar, the Disabled Children’s Association in Saudi Arabia, and UNICEF South Africa. The campaign has raised close to USD 7 million in the nine years since its launch.

The kick-off, which saw the participants set off from the Dead Sea at 7.00 am, was attended by the media, friends and family, and other Marriott International associates keen to lend their support. At 383m below sea level, their starting point is the lowest point on earth – and while some of the team riders are experienced cyclists, for others it’s their first time. The team is comprised of everyone from night managers to general managers and sales directors.

The participants have cited everything from improved health and fitness abilities, to a greater sense of community spirit and reduced stress levels, not to mention the opportunity to see the beautiful country of Jordan while making new friends and helping those in need, as being among the many benefits they have gained from being part of the experience so far – and all of their efforts have led them up to this very moment. Over the next three days, they will cycle through a variety of terrains from the Dead Sea through Aqaba to Petra – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and then back again.

Marriott International’s Road to Awareness participants are joined today by two guest riders – Ammar Al Satari, a former Jordanian national cycling champion, and Sari Husseini from Cycling Jordan – as well as a mechanic and support car from Cycling Jordan, for the duration of the journey. The cycle challenge, which has seen a high level of local support, will also be documented through video and photography by a dedicated film crew.