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| Title | Marriott Corporation, 1978 Annual Report |
| Creator (LCNAF) |
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| Publisher | Marriott International, Inc. |
| Date | 1978 |
| Description | Marriott Corporation Annual Report for the year ending on July 31, 1978. |
| Subject.Topical (LCSH) |
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| Subject.Name (LCNAF) |
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| Genre (AAT) |
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| Language | English |
| Type (DCMI) |
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| Original Item Location | Marriott Hotels Collection |
| Digital Collection | Annual Reports from the Hospitality Industry Archives |
| Digital Collection URL | http://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/hiltonar |
| Repository | Hospitality Industry Archives, Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, University of Houston |
| Repository URL | http://www.uh.edu/hilton-college/About/hospitality-industry-archives |
| Use and Reproduction | No Copyright - United States |
| File Name | index.cpd |
| Title | Image 21 |
| Format (IMT) |
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| File Name | hiltonar_201609_049_021.jpg |
| Transcript | Over Five Million Guests Enjoy "Great America;" Parks Are Top Attractions in Two Major Markets > Chicago,San Francisco theme parks maturing. ■ GREAT AMERICA attendance passes five million mark in '78 season. > Employee productivity continues to improve. ' Major new features being added in 79. Key signs of success continue to unfold in the company's newest business- theme parks. Attendance at MARRIOTT'S GREAT AMERICA in the Chicago and San Francisco markets in 1978 passed the five million mark for the first time. Among the largest operating companies in the industry, Marriott—the newest—is in the first five in total attendance. Its GREAT AMERICA parks, today, are established as top leisure-time attractions in their Midwest and California markets. The parks are also established as solid entertainment values. Guests in 1978 spent an average of more than $14 per person in the parks. For their expenditures visitors received a full day of value: rides, live entertainment and shows, games, merchandise and food. Three Strengths Clear The company's theme park business is still maturing. But its basic strengths are clear: • Location is excellent— in two of the country's largest metropolitan markets. And the parks are one of a kind in both markets. • Design and quality is outstanding. The parks were built to please—and built to last. They offer "something for everyone" in a landscaped environment that grows richer with each season. • Recognition and reputation of the parks are widespread in their markets. Advertising, sales promo tion, and publicity efforts have been highly effective. With any major investment it takes time to reach full profit objectives. GREAT AMERICA has not yet attained the levels projected for the business long-range. In fiscal '78, Group profits ending July were off slightly from the year before. Substantial increases in property taxes and depreciation hurt comparisons. In particular, the prior year did not bear the full burden of off-season costs. Starting in '79, the parks will be on a fully comparable accounting basis for the first time. Major labor- saving economies which improved productivity-per- guest in 1978 will be even more beneficial in '79. A more aggressive advertising and marketing program is being developed. New Features Coming And importantly, new attractions will increase attendance. Two major features already proven in one of the GREAT AMERICA parks are being added at the other: PICTORIUM, the world's largest movie screen, is being added in the Illinois park, and the 200-foot "Sky Trek" Observation Tower in Santa Clara. Live shows even more lavish than the highly acclaimed 1978 productions will be ready for both parks in 1979. 19 |