Kerzner Dies in Caribbean Air Crash
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, October 12, 2006. Resort tycoon Howard 'Butch' Kerzner was killed along with three others Wednesday when a helicopter they were traveling in crashed into a building on the Dominican Republic's north coast, an aviation official said.
According to AFX news wire, the helicopter carrying Kerzner, chief executive officer of Kerzner International Ltd., a Bahamas-based casino and resort operator, went down at 2:15 p.m. in the popular tourist resort of Sosua, said Yolanda Manan, a spokeswoman for the Dominican airport authority.
In the Bahamas, where the company's flagship Atlantis resort is the second-largest employer behind the government, Prime Minister Perry Christie said it was 'a sad moment for our nation.'
Kerzner, 42, was surveying potential development sites in the Dominican Republic when the helicopter crashed on the roof of a business that grows ornamental plants.
Two officers in the Dominican armed forces, David Rosario Pimentel and Kevelier Matos, also died in the crash, said civil aviation spokesman Angel de la Rosa.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
