Marriott meets with Focus on the Family about porn

A coalition of organizations that includes Focus on the Family didn't get an immediate resolution Wednesday in its attempt to persuade Marriott International to pull in-room adult movie offerings from its hotels.

But a 90-minute meeting in Washington, D.C., between Marriott executives and five of the coalition's 42 member organizations did produce a promise by the chain to bring their concerns to its franchise owners, said Tom Minnery, senior vice president of government and public policy at Focus.

"It was a very encouraging first step," Minnery said. "We were glad that Marriott was willing to come to the table on this subject."

Marriott could not be reached for comment, but Minnery said the company promised to respond to the group's request in July.

The coalition, known as the Arlington Group, plans no further action before Marriott's July announcement, Minnery said.

During the meeting, the Arlington Group suggested that Marriott make it more difficult for guests to view pay-per-view adult movies by requiring them to gain access through the hotel's front desk, Minnery said.

The group also presented Marriott with 102,000 signatures from people wanting the chain to stop offering adult movies. Of those, more than 9,000 signatures were from Marriott Rewards Card members, Minnery said.

Coincidentally, the hotel chain is preparing to roll out a new hotel brand called Nickelodeon Resort by Marriott.

The Arlington Group was told at the meeting that the new brand will not offer adult entertainment, Minnery said.

The first Nickelodeon property will open in San Diego in 2010.