Management of Marriott International, Inc. is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the consolidated financial statements and other financial information presented in this annual report. In meeting this responsibility, we maintain a highly developed system of internal controls, policies and procedures, including an internal auditing function.

The consolidated financial statements have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. Its report expresses an informed judgment as to whether man agement's financial statements, considered in their entirety, fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, operating results and cash flows in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The Board of Directors fulfills its responsibility for the financial statements through its Audit Committee, composed of three directors that are independent of the Company. The committee meets a minimum of four times during the year with the independent registered public accounting firm, representatives of management and the internal auditors to review the scope and results of the internal and external audits, the accounting principles applied in financial reporting, and financial and operational controls. The independent registered public accounting firm and internal auditors have unrestricted access to the Audit Committee, with or without the presence of management.

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