Marriott pledges $50 million to support women, diverse hotel owners

Marriott International Inc. is committing $50 million to help more women and diverse entrepreneurs own and develop hotel properties under the Marriott banner. Under the three-year program, the Bethesda-based hotel giant will offer financial and other incentives to owners and franchisees from historically underrepresented groups who will have a controlling equity interest in select projects within Marriott’s portfolio of 30 hotel brands.