BETHESDA, Md., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Host Marriott Corporation (NYSE: HMT) announced today that Minaz Abji will join the company as executive vice president of asset management in mid-August.

Mr. Abji brings over 28 years of hotel operations experience including 23 years with Westin hotels. He is currently the President of Canadian Hotel Income Properties REIT, a Canadian REIT located in Vancouver, British Columbia, that is focused on mid-market and upscale full-service hotels. Mr. Abji previously worked for Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Canada as area managing director and was formerly a general manager for Westin.

"Minaz is a dynamic and entrepreneurial hotel executive who will bring outstanding operations experience and leadership skills to Host Marriott," said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive officer of Host Marriott.

Host Marriott Corporation is a Fortune 500 lodging real estate company, which owns 123 upscale and luxury full-service hotel properties primarily operated under Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Hyatt, Hilton and Swissotel brand names. For further information on Host Marriott Corporation, please visit the Company's website at www.hostmarriott.com.

SOURCE  Host Marriott Corporation
    -0-                             07/15/2003
    /CONTACT:  Gregory J. Larson, Senior Vice President Investor Relations of
Host Marriott Corporation, +1-240-744-5120/
    /Web site:  http://www.hostmarriott.com/
    (HMT)

CO:  Host Marriott Corporation
ST:  Maryland
IN:  LEI TRA
SU:  PER


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3442 07/15/2003 16:30 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com