The Marriott Business Council Oman has brought together 11 leading hotels across the country for the 8th edition of Food Race for Charity, an initiative dedicated to supporting communities and raising awareness about food insecurity. Held on 8 November 2026 at Lulu Hypermarket Darsait in Muscat, the event saw around 150 hotel associates participate in a friendly food collection race in solidarity with World Food Day.

The initiative combined teamwork, community engagement and social responsibility, with participating hotel teams competing to fill shopping carts with essential food products for donation to the Oman Food Bank.

Together, the 11 participating hotels raised OMR 7,582, which was used to purchase the food items collected during the event.

11 Hotels Unite for a Meaningful Cause

The 2026 Food Race for Charity brought together hospitality professionals from 11 hotels representing some of Oman’s recognised luxury, lifestyle and full-service hospitality brands.

The participating properties included:

• JW Marriott Hotel Muscat
• The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort
• W Muscat
• Sheraton Oman
• Aloft Muscat
• Jumeirah Muscat Bay
• Grand Millennium Muscat
• Novotel Muscat Airport
• Hilton Al Bandar
• Mandarin Oriental Muscat
• Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat

Around 150 associates from these properties took part in the event, demonstrating how collaboration across the hospitality industry can support meaningful community initiatives.

The food race encouraged participants to work together while collecting a variety of food products that would ultimately benefit people in need through the Oman Food Bank.

Marriott Business Council Oman Highlights Community Responsibility

Samir Messaoudi, Chairman of Marriott Business Council Oman and General Manager of JW Marriott Hotel Muscat, highlighted the importance of extending hospitality beyond hotel operations and contributing to the wider community.

He emphasised that the initiative provides an opportunity for associates from different hotels to come together, raise awareness about world hunger and promote a culture of social responsibility.

Messaoudi also expressed his appreciation for the participating teams and shared his hope that more hotels would join the initiative in the coming years.

The event reflects the hospitality industry’s broader role in supporting local communities through collective action, employee participation and meaningful social impact programmes.

Oman Food Bank Supports Food Security and Sustainability

Ahood Abdullah Al Hubaishi, Marketing & Project Manager of Oman Food Bank, welcomed the hospitality industry’s participation and highlighted the importance of partnerships in addressing food insecurity.

The organisation works to reduce food waste, promote sustainability and strengthen food security by ensuring surplus food reaches people who need it.

Through initiatives such as the Food Race for Charity, the Oman Food Bank provides a platform for businesses and hospitality partners to contribute directly to community wellbeing.

The collaboration with Marriott Business Council Oman demonstrates how the hospitality sector can support food-related social initiatives while encouraging responsible practices and community engagement.

Supporting the Message Behind World Food Day

World Food Day is observed globally to raise awareness about hunger, poverty, nutrition and the importance of sustainable agri-food systems.

The Food Race for Charity aligns with these objectives by encouraging organisations and individuals to take practical steps towards addressing food insecurity.

By bringing together hotel associates for a common cause, the initiative highlights the importance of collective responsibility and the role businesses can play in supporting sustainable communities.

The 2026 edition also demonstrated how friendly competition can be transformed into a meaningful contribution, with food collections helping support the Oman Food Bank’s ongoing work.

About Marriott Worldwide Business Councils

Marriott Worldwide Business Councils are groups within Marriott International that support the company’s mission of building a strong travel community through collaboration among hotels, brands and industry stakeholders.

These councils work to strengthen business strategies, encourage stakeholder engagement and contribute to the wellbeing of communities where Marriott operates.

Their activities also include social impact projects, employee wellbeing initiatives and sustainability programmes that support responsible hospitality practices.

Through initiatives such as the Food Race for Charity, Marriott Business Council Oman continues to demonstrate the value of collaboration and community involvement across the hospitality industry.

For more information about Marriott’s social impact initiatives, visit Marriott Serve360.

A Collective Effort for a Better Community

The 8th Food Race for Charity highlights how hospitality businesses can make a positive difference beyond their everyday operations. With 11 hotels, approximately 150 participants and OMR 7,582 raised for food purchases, the initiative brought the hospitality community together around an important social cause.

As Marriott Business Council Oman looks towards future editions, the event sets an example of how teamwork, sustainability and community partnerships can contribute to a more food-secure future.