Marriott’s Off-Platform Website/App Brand Standard to Take Effect June 1, 2019
As previously communicated, Marriott International implemented a new Off-Platform Websites & Apps brand standard in continued efforts to support compliance with the General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), CAN-SPAM Act and other liability issues resulting from improper usage of third-party images. This brand standard, which takes effect on June 1, 2019, requires the sunsetting of all non-approved independent websites, excluding hotels within The Luxury Collection, Autograph Collection and Tribute Portfolio brands. These hotels will be allowed to maintain their vanity sites past June 1, 2019, but will be expected to fully comply with all of the required laws and regulations as well Marriott International standards.
Effective June 1, 2019, all non-approved off-platform websites must be retired. Additionally, between now and June 1, 2019, all off-platform sites must comply with GDPR, ADA and all applicable regulations as well as Marriott International standards and guidelines. We recommend discussing these details with your off-platform site vendor and legal counsel to ensure that all off-platform sites are fully compliant. Hotels not adhering to the brand standard as of June 1, 2019 will be subject to the actions stated in the “Compliance Enforcement” section of the brand standard, which includes (at various intervals) $100-per-day charges while the unapproved, off-platform website remains active; exclusion from participation in Marriott International digital marketing channels (PLUS, METT, etc.); removing all but basic content from any and all Marriott.com search results listing; and other actions as deemed appropriate.
Exceptions
Currently, the only exceptions to the brand standard are off-platform sites for The Luxury Collection, Autograph Collection, and Tribute Portfolio hotels. However, these sites must still comply with all GDPR regulations as well as Marriott International standards with regard to other areas such as ADA compliance, CCPA/CANSPAM laws and imagery usage rights collection.
To request an exception to brand standard, we ask that you complete and submit the Exceptions form located on MGS. Exceptions will be at the sole discretion of Marriott International, and we will aim to respond to all requests within 30 days of receipt. If exceptions are granted, they will then be reviewed on an annual basis. NOTE: The Luxury Collection, Autograph Collection, and Tribute Portfolio hotels do not need to submit the Exceptions form.
For more information, please contact digitalstudio@marriott.com.
Off-Platform Outlet Site Compliance
Outlet websites such as restaurants, golf, and spa wishing to remain in use after June 1, 2019 should review the brand and legal requirements included in the Brand Standard FAQ . Independent sites for weddings, meetings and other similar services of a hotel are NOT exempt from the brand standard and will be expected to be sunset by the June 1, 2019 date.
Should you have any questions about the standard, contact digitalsupport@marriott.com. For questions about website updates, we recommend your hotel(s) that participate in Field Marketing contact their field marketing representative; for hotels not participating in Field Marketing, visit efast.marriott.com or MGS.
We thank you in advance for your compliance with the requirements of the GDPR as well as the Off-Platform Website/App Brand Standard.
