W Hotels Takes a Leading Role in the Celebration of World Pride in Australia

Whoever you are, wherever you are, you’re welcome at W Hotels. The trailblazing luxury lifestyle brand continues its longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion by extending its support with Australia’s longest running LGBTQIA+ organisation, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. W Hotels will be a major champion of the celebration in 2022, 2023, and 2024, adding the brand’s magnetic energy and long-standing passion for music to the world-famous festival and parade.

“I am truly looking forward to the 2022 parade and the world-first LGBTQIA+ extravaganza in 2023. Our hotels across the country will be putting on a range of exhilarating experiences to host guests and Marriott Bonvoy members pre-, post- and during this truly global celebration of diversity and inclusion,” said Sean Hunt, Area Vice President - Australia, New Zealand & Pacific - Marriott International. “After the disruption to global travel over the last two years, the importance of connecting with friends, community and loved ones has never been more important.”

“We’re delighted to have W Hotels join us over the next three years,” said Albert Kruger, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. “They have an incredible track record in creating an inclusive space for their workplace and hotel guests and are committed to diversity and equality.”

For the third year running, W Hotels will be taking the stage at the 2022 Parade on March 5 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Choreographing an unmistakable showcase of equality to inspire travellers to unite and shine, W will play a lead role in celebrating the important global messages of the right to love and inclusion under the 2022 Mardi Gras “United We Shine” theme. This year will also see W Hotels join forces with the influential Australian pop group, Cub Sport, with their artful music, fuelled by inclusivity and authenticity. Cub Sport shares the same values and is the perfect ally to march alongside W Hotels in the celebrations this year.

In 2023, WorldPride – the largest Pride celebration in the world – will be coming to Sydney to combine with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for the first time. The festival is set to be one of the largest global events in Australia’s New South Wales since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Landmark events that are anticipated to feature in WorldPride include a First Nations Gala Concert, a world-class Human Rights Conference, and a closing party at Bondi Beach along with the Pride March across the Sydney Harbour Bridge with over 50,000 participants – the largest pride march to ever be held in Australia.

“Sydney WorldPride will be the first time this global celebration has come to the southern hemisphere, and we are looking forward to welcoming our LGBTQIA+ family and friends from around the world to help us celebrate,” said Kate Wickett, CEO Sydney WorldPride. “Through our relationship with W Hotels, guests will be able to stay just footsteps from many of our key events, and whether they want to kick on or chill out we know they will feel welcomed at a W. W Hotels are truly supportive allies, showing up and speaking out on important issues that matter to the LGBTQIA+ communities.”

Known for creating destinations within a destination, W currently has two dynamic locations in Australia: W Brisbane and W Melbourne, with the highly anticipated W Sydney set to open in late 2022.                       

Members of Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program, will have access to exclusive Marriott Bonvoy Moments including access to the parade and entrance to the premium parade viewing spot. Exclusive hotel packages will be available across Marriott’s portfolio of hotels in Sydney including Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection and Four Points by Sheraton Sydney Central Park. For a chance to redeem these, members can bid their points at www.moments.marriottbonvoy.com.

Marriott International has a long-standing commitment of celebrating diversity and inclusion and creates an environment that is truly welcoming for all. In Asia Pacific, the company has been recognized for its LGBT+ workplace inclusion practices and initiatives by the Community Business’ LGBT+ Inclusion Index. Marriott Bonvoy is also a proud sponsor for the Gay Games 11, the first ever Gay Games event to be held in the region.