Marriott International Cancels Controversial Artsakh Tour After Genocide Criticism

Marriott Bonvoy offered a 14‑hour "Artsakh" tour that included visits to the Azerbaijani‑occupied cities of Shushi and Stepanakert, allowing participants to earn loyalty points. The package was listed on the Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities platform, licensed to Travel Curious, and was described by critics as "genocide tourism" because it profited from a region where more than 120,000 ethnic Armenians were displaced in 2023.

A coordinated advocacy campaign led by the Armenian National Committee of America and diaspora partners across six continents pressured Marriott. Within five days, Marriott International removed the tour from its offerings, stating that the tours are not owned or developed by the company but use its brand under license. The swift reversal was hailed by ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian as a victory against the normalization of ethnic cleansing.

The episode highlights corporate scrutiny over human‑rights concerns and the use of brand licensing in contested territories.