“Designed for the progressive yet pragmatic traveler seeking a high-quality travel experience, Protea Hotels by Marriott® has been redefining and leading the evolution of travel in a highly competitive and dynamic market exceeding guest expectations consistently,” said Neal Jones, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “We are delighted to be recognized for our efforts and win this coveted accolade for the ninth consecutive year, gaining the confidence of the next generation of travelers in a strategically important market. This award is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our teams.”

The company prides itself with an associate complement that is diverse in age, ethnicity and backgrounds, a talent strategy that it believes contributes to its success.

“Delivering a highly personalized experience that caters to the demands of a forever young demographic has been at the core of everything we do,” added Danny Bryer, Area Director for Sales & Marketing, Protea Hotels by Marriott. “We know it is important to stay ahead of the game and we constantly challenge ourselves to go above and beyond. Being part of Marriott International’s global brand portfolio gives us access to global trends and best practices and allows us to translate these into unique locally relevant experiences. This helps us to connect with forward-thinking travelers including the next generation and build loyalty with them.”

Now in its 13th year, Generation Next polls the opinions of 5,675 of South Africa’s youth (ages 8 to 22) in urban and peri-urban environments in six provinces. The lifestyle and consumer behavior questionnaire is boosted by a further 4,622 face-to-face interviews.

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