SPECIAL REPORT
resolution . “ You have to give women confidence to speak out and put themselves forward for advancement ,” Hyndman says , and hotels need to help women seize opportunities . “ It ’ s frustrating to hear an employee propose an incremental step up , such as night manager . I would say , ‘ Come on , you work hard . I ’ d like you to consider a change , to grow your skills .’”
U . K . giant IHG launched its Rise initiative to advance women leaders through mentoring and career planning support . Following a pilot program in Australia and New Zealand , Rise launched in the greater China region in Q4 2018 and rollout in the Americas is slated to begin this year , a spokeswoman says .
Fast-growing hotel operators in Asia and the Middle East have a high demand for talent and can ’ t afford to discriminate , executives say . “ I was in a No . 2 housekeeping position at a hotel for eight years ,” recalls Sareena Kochar , vice president , housekeeping at Lemon Tree Hotels in New Delhi , India . “ Today , more hotels are coming up in India … Promotions are easy , and people can move fast . It is changing .”
Fortune ranked four U . S . hospitality firms among the 75 Best Large Workplaces for Women in 2018 : Hyatt Hotels Corp ., Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants , Hilton and Marriott International .
Following Giannouka ’ s appointment as group president for Asia Pacific in late 2017 , Radisson promoted several women to GM posts in China , India and The Philippines . Still , hotels “ can be flexible and accommodate the needs of women , especially when they become new mothers ,” Giannouka says . “ Companies can create a family-friendly environment by implementing simple policies such as flexible working hours or paid parental leave .”
Male managers shouldn ’ t assume a woman isn ’ t interested in a position that
MILLENNIALS CARE ABOUT DIVERSITY POLICIES WHEN THEY CHOOSE AN EMPLOYER , AND “ THIS IS A RED LIGHT FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY TO ADDRESS OR RISK LOSING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FEMALE TALENT .”
KATERINA GIANNOUKA , GROUP PRESIDENT , RADISSON HOTEL GROUP
requires travel or relocation before she ’ s had a chance to even consider the opportunity , Gagnon says .
Scandic ’ s Bjurner adds : “ When positions open , it ’ s important that male executives consider candidates of both genders ,” she says . “ We always ask for both genders to be on the short list .”
As well , millennials – men and women – aren ’ t necessarily hampered by lingering stereotypes . “ Women are demanding equal rights , equal opportunities and equal pay , and they are confident enough to leave a company if they don ’ t get it ,” Giannouka says . “ Is it all solved ? No . But we ’ re in a more favorable time .”
24 hotelsmag . com March 2019