Every day around the world, guests call Marriott their "home away from home, but on any given night, 105,000 people in Australia are homeless. Of these, nearly 45,000 are under 25 years of age, and 26,790 are homeless families with children. Around 16,000 are sleeping rough, and around 47,000 are staying with friends or relatives.

Mission Australia is committed to alleviating homelessness and for Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott hotels in Australia, it was only natural to offer help, and they helped in a very big way - by donating a giant inflatable bubble hotel room for the launch of this year's Winter Sleep Out campaign.

The Marriott Australia Bubble Room is a clever, totally transparent inflatable room that has the ability to attract a lot of attention, and what better way to celebrate the 25th year of one of the most recognised community fundraising events in Australia.

National Marketing Communications Manager, Deborah McDiarmid says there's more to the bubble room than its attention-grabbing 7 meter diameter. She said, "The homeless often say they feel 'invisible' and feel disconnected from others.

The bubble takes that concept of an 'invisible' barrier and demonstrates it in a physical form", she adds, "when inside, any outside sound is minimum and inside noise is magnified - this makes it impossible to communicate, and the result is a very isolating feeling - our giant bubble room simply helps to increase understanding of an issue found here in our own backyard and builds awareness for the Winter Sleep Out which aims to raise $200,000.00".

With a real Spirit to Serve, Marriott also introduced one of Australia's hottest rising stars in music, the band Jinja Safari to Mission Australia resulting in a song from their latest album being offered for use on the soundtrack of the Winter Sleep Out television commercial. They also appeared live at the launch, spending time in the Marriott Bubble Room on the day.

The Marriott Bubble Room slept out for 12 hours in Sydney's Martin Place for the launch on 8th August. The Winter Sleep Out is Saturday 31st August.

Marriott International, Inc. is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 72 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Marriott International hotels in Australia:

Melbourne Marriott Hotel Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel Courtyard by Marriott, North Ryde Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa Brisbane Marriott Hotel

Media Contact:
Deborah McDiarmid
deborah.mcdiarmid@marriott.com
+61 0424143320