National Geographic says its mission is to illuminate and protect wildlife. Yet it keeps a man on its board whose hotels promote cruelty to the very animals it vows to protect.
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National Geographic says its mission is to illuminate and protect wildlife. Yet it keeps a man on its board whose hotels promote cruelty to the very animals it vows to protect.
TAKE ACTIONThe Investigation.
National Geographic gave Marriott's chairman a seat at its table. National Geographic chose David Marriott, chairman of Marriott International and one of the world's largest hoteliers, for its board of trustees.
Drugged tigers. Chained elephants. His hotels send tourists to both. Investigators documented Marriott hotels actively steering guests toward drugged tigers, elephants controlled with bullhooks, and caged civets. His hotels don't just allow this; they promote it.
Every day he keeps his seat, National Geographic chooses this. National Geographic could remove David Marriott tomorrow. Until it does, it owns the cruelty its own mission condemns.
“I'm excited to help shape the future of an organization I've admired for decades.”
David Marriott · Chairman, Marriott International
On joining the National Geographic Society board of trustees, February 2025
The Investigation.
National Geographic gave Marriott's chairman a seat at its table. National Geographic chose David Marriott, chairman of Marriott International and one of the world's largest hoteliers, for its board of trustees.
Drugged tigers. Chained elephants. His hotels send tourists to both. Investigators documented Marriott hotels actively steering guests toward drugged tigers, elephants controlled with bullhooks, and caged civets. His hotels don't just allow this; they promote it.
Every day he keeps his seat, National Geographic chooses this. National Geographic could remove David Marriott tomorrow. Until it does, it owns the cruelty its own mission condemns.
“I'm excited to help shape the future of an organization I've admired for decades.”
David Marriott · Chairman, Marriott International
On joining the National Geographic Society board of trustees,
February 2025
The Hypocrisy:
What NatGeo says.What it's tied to.
Caged tiger attraction, promoted by David Marriott's hotels
Tiger Park Pattaya · Thailand
“[A National Geographic Explorer] investigated the dark underbelly of tiger cub-petting tourist attractions. Their work illuminated the urgent need for stricter regulation and oversight of threatened animal populations.”
Jill Tiefenthaler · CEO, National Geographic Society
LinkedIn, December 2022
“We believe it's vital to raise awareness about the importance of elephant conservation as part of our mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.”
Jill Tiefenthaler · CEO, National Geographic Society
LinkedIn, April 2023
Elephant show where the animals are controlled by bullhooks, promoted by David Marriott's hotels
Nongnooch Pattaya Garden · Thailand
Drugged civet forced to interact with tourists, promoted by David Marriott's hotels
Kopi Luwak Facility · Bali
“Being chained, performing, and interacting with tourists are not normal for a wild animal, even one born in captivity.”
National Geographic · Wildlife Watch
nationalgeographic.com
“Our future will be shaped by how we grow our food today — and we're reimagining what's possible when that system nourishes both people and the planet.”
Jill Tiefenthaler · CEO, National Geographic Society
Supply Chain Magazine, September 2025
Caged hens in Marriott's supply chain, a practice David Marriott's company pledged to ban
CPF / Betagro Farms · Songkhla, Thailand
Promises made.
Promises broken.
In 2013, Marriott International committed to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs globally by 2015. They missed that deadline. In 2018, following a global campaign, they recommitted with a new deadline of 2025. Today, with $2.6 billion in annual profit, that promise remains unfulfilled.
“The core values established by my grandparents remain the foundation of our success and continue to inspire associates who live them every day.”
David Marriott · Chairman, Marriott International
Serve 360 Report
“Our approach to sustainability stems from that core value of serving our communities and serving our world. It's a key focus for us to help make the world a better place. We feel this is our strongest competitive advantage because it's authentic, it's quantifiable.”
David Marriott · Chairman, Marriott International
STAY Magazine · Summer 2024
“We hold ourselves to uncompromising ethical and legal standards. This extends to our day-to-day business conduct, our employee policies, our supply chain policies, our environmental programs and practices, and our commitment to human rights and social responsibility.”
Marriott International
marriott.com · Core Values and Heritage
Promises made.
Promises broken.
In 2013, Marriott International committed to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs globally by 2015. They missed that deadline. In 2018, following a global campaign, they recommitted with a new deadline of 2025. Today, with $2.6 billion in annual profit, that promise remains unfulfilled.
“The core values established by my grandparents remain the foundation of our success and continue to inspire associates who live them every day.”
David Marriott · Chairman, Marriott International
Serve 360 Report
“Our approach to sustainability stems from that core value of serving our communities and serving our world. It's a key focus for us to help make the world a better place. We feel this is our strongest competitive advantage because it's authentic, it's quantifiable.”
David Marriott · Chairman, Marriott International
STAY Magazine · Summer 2024
“We hold ourselves to uncompromising ethical and legal standards. This extends to our day-to-day business conduct, our employee policies, our supply chain policies, our environmental programs and practices, and our commitment to human rights and social responsibility.”
Marriott International
marriott.com · Core Values and Heritage
People are
taking action!
While National Geographic's board
looks away, people around the
world are showing up.
Tell National
Geographic to act.
We are asking National Geographic to remove David Marriott from its board of trustees until Marriott International honors its global cage-free egg commitment with a binding timeline and transparent reporting. Add your voice.