Hospitality heads harp upon leveraging of diverse workforce in hospitality businesses & what steps be employed to facilitate inclusive environments in today’s challenging world.
HT Bureau
Diversity and Inclusivity (D&I) are essential values in the hospitality industry. As a General Manager, I believe it is our responsibility to create a culture of inclusivity where guests and ambassadors feel valued. We take accountability for upholding our high standards of hospitality and ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors feels welcomed. The hospitality industry is one of the most diverse industries, with guests from all over the world. It is in our DNA to embrace this diversity and create an environment where everyone feels respected and appreciated. This includes actively recruiting and hiring a diverse workforce to bring a variety of perspectives, experiences and ideas to the table. At Sofitel Mumbai BKC, we understand that diversity and inclusivity go beyond just checking boxes. It is a continual effort through our ongoing training and development to educate ourselves, our ambassadors, and our guests to ensure that we create an inclusive environment and understand the importance of D&I. We have a wonderful initiative called RiiSE that symbolizes a woman and a man sharing the same ambition for a more inclusive workplace. RiiSE means raising yourself up; going beyond equality towards equity; being and becoming better; being fulfilled and developing as an individual, but also, and above all, collectively. These powerful concepts reflect the values dear to our Group and create a network motivated to inspire women and men within Accor, a driver to combat stereotypes and achieve gender equality, and a solidarity and mutual support network where we all RiiSE to new heights together. In summary, D&I are not just buzzwords in the hospitality industry; they are critical values that we strive to uphold every day. By embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity, we can create a better experience for all our guests and a comfortable workspace for all our ambassadors, whom we affectionately call Heartists.
It is in our DNA to embrace diversity & create environment where everyone feels respected & appreciated
Sanjay Gupta General Manager, Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel
Diversity in the hospitality domain means not just recognizing and accepting differences but also valuing them in everyone. An increased focus on diversity is most certain to bring more benefits and opportunities to every workplace. In our field, however, the importance of diversity is especially pronounced.
In hotels, success and recognition of a brand is largely dependent upon employee-client interactions. Tourists come from all walks of life and our innate ability to connect with people of different age groups, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, socio-economic statuses and belief systems help us make a foreign person feel welcomed to our country and our establishment.
Essentially, diversity in the hospitality industry means not just recognizing differences but valuing them and understanding how these differences may impact individual performances. At Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center, both associates and clients come from unique background, cultural history and skillset—appreciating each of these aspects help foster efficient teamwork, collaborate and communicate effectively. At the same time, our clients are able to enjoy inclusive services, individual to every want and need.
The cultural paradigm is shifting, as travelling becomes easier and more accessible, low-cost airlines and a diverse range of hotel offerings—it is the responsibility of every hotelier to be sensitive to cultural differences when dealing with guests from unique diverse backgrounds.
In the end, I just have to say diversity and inclusivity when handled right can be one of the greatest strengths in the hospitality industry that can create a culturally rich and healthy environment. This also unravels a golden chance to uniquely innovate, offer bespoke experiences and not to forget, it positions the brand a remarkable notch above the competition. I swear by a strong school of thought that diverse teams encourage healthier workplace cultures and better convergence of ideas.
Diversity is not just recognizing differences but valuing them & understanding how these differences may impact individual performances
Mehul Sharma Founder & CEO, Signum Hotels & Resorts
Diversity and inclusivity (D&I) in hospitality can lead to a more welcoming and positive environment for both employees and customers. It also allows for a wider range of perspectives and ideas, leading to innovation and growth within the industry. This can be achieved by implementing training programmes for employees to understand and respect different cultures and backgrounds, as well as actively seeking out diverse candidates for hiring and leadership positions. Additionally, creating a welcoming environment for all guests through language accessibility, menu options and accommodations can also promote inclusivity in the hospitality industry.
Since it is founded on a complicated structure of multiple enterprises and a broad group of employees and clientele from various backgrounds, the hotel sector is a uniquely diverse pitch. While this may provide some issues, it also presents an enormous opportunity to create a more effective, creative and inventive workplace that serves all consumers. Making cultural diversity a priority and incorporating it into company culture can yield significant benefits. One can learn more about cultural diversity and how to create and manage a diverse workforce effectively.
In essence, diversity at Signum Hotels and Resorts not only identifies but also values differences and understands how these variations may affect the individual experience. Our employees and customers each have their background, set of experiences and cultural heritage. Understanding this will help to create stronger cooperation, allowing staff to communicate and collaborate more successfully. It will also result in higher job satisfaction, which will increase our company’s turnover and produce loyal and productive employees. At the same time, clients will be able to take advantage of all-inclusive services that cater to their specific wants and needs.
Businesses frequently employ for cultural fit, or persons who will fit in with the current team. This becomes a problem when our team consists of people who all appear and act the same way. Our guests are diverse, and so should our workforce. It is time to reconsider hiring for fit and look for people that have new and different experiences than us and the rest of our team.
Making cultural diversity priority & incorporating it into company culture can yield significant benefits
Manish Dayya General Manager,Sofitel Mumbai BKC
