As the country becomes more ethnically diverse and more women enter the workforce, the hospitality industry has become increasingly aware of the importance of Diversity in the Hospitality Industry. With this in mind, the hospitality industry has begun to take steps to increase diversity within its ranks. The hospitality industry is no stranger to diversity challenges. The sector often operates on remote properties that can be challenging for communities with limited access to public transportation or reliable roads. This means that some employees may feel isolated from the community they work in, even if they live nearby.
In addition, while many hotels and resorts employ housekeepers who clean their guest rooms, others do not offer these services as part of their services package and require residents to use a private cleaning service instead. Even so, these are just a few of the challenges that the hospitality industry faces when trying to increase diversity within its ranks. This article will explore how increasing diversity can benefit business operations and help retain team members who have a variety of skills and experiences.
What is Diversity in the Hospitality Industry?
A workforce that includes a variety of backgrounds, skills, experiences, and talents is more likely to engage in unique and creative thinking. Businesses that value diversity also have a greater probability of discovering new and innovative solutions to problems. Furthermore, diverse teams are often better at identifying and addressing the needs of customers, team members, and the community.
Benefits of Diversity in the Hospitality Industry
- Creates a Sense of Inclusivity – By embracing diversity, employers can create an inclusive environment where employees feel accepted and valued. This can lead to improved retention rates, higher employee engagement, and a more positive work environment for everyone.
- Improves Teamwork – More diverse teams are more likely to collaborate with each other due to the need to understand and respect unique backgrounds and experiences. This can lead to better decisions and more innovative workplace culture.
- Builds Confidence – The ability to identify, understand, and relate to different people and cultures can build a sense of confidence within employees. This can lead to improved communication and a feeling of self-worth.
- Creates More Creative Ideas – Individuals who feel a greater sense of belongingness within a diverse team are more likely to generate creative ideas due to the need to think outside the box. This can lead to more creative workplace culture and improved creativity.
- Increases Employee Retention – The need to understand and accept different backgrounds can decrease feelings of negativity and increase employee retention. This can lead to lower absenteeism and turnover rates.
How to Increase Diversity in the Hospitality Industry
Diverse teams are typically more productive and have lower levels of employee disengagement. However, businesses can take these benefits to the next level by actively increasing workplace diversity. To do so, firms should consider the following strategies:
- Develop a Diversity Action Plan – It is crucial for businesses to develop a plan to increase diversity. Doing so can help firms better identify areas where they may be lacking, as well as highlight efforts underway. Firms can also use the plan as a way to communicate the company’s values to employees.
- Conduct an Inclusive Culture Audit – A culture audit can help businesses identify areas where employees may feel excluded or harassed. Doing so can help businesses create an inclusive environment free from these feelings.
- Create a Dialogue Around Inclusivity – It is crucial for firms to create a dialogue around how they are going to increase diversity. Doing so can help firms better understand and address any existing issues that may be holding back inclusive efforts.
- Focus on Diversity Training – Employers who focus on diversity training can help employees become more inclusive. This can help to curb any negative feelings towards different backgrounds and cultures.
- Encourage Open Communication – It is important for businesses to encourage open communication between employees. Doing so can help firms identify and address any issues that may be holding back inclusive efforts.
Why is increasing Diversity in the Hospitality Industry important?
As the country becomes more ethnically diverse, businesses have become increasingly aware of the importance of diversity. With this in mind, the hospitality industry has begun to take steps to increase diversity within its ranks. The hospitality industry is no stranger to diversity challenges. The sector often operates on remote properties that can be challenging for communities with limited access to public transportation or reliable roads.
This means that some employees may feel isolated from the community they work in, even if they live nearby. In addition, while many hotels and resorts employ housekeepers who clean their guest rooms, others do not offer these services as part of their services package and require residents to use a private cleaning service instead.
How to measure the effectiveness of Diversity in the Hospitality Industry initiatives
It can be challenging for firms to measure the effectiveness of initiatives designed to increase diversity. While most campaigns will inform customers, clients, or staff members, how they have positively impacted diverse communities it is important to also measure how they have positively impacted the individuals within your firm.
This can be done by conducting a peer or manager survey that asks them questions like “How is the team better off because of the work they are doing together?” “What are the positive consequences of working with this team member?” These surveys should focus on the individual rather than the team as a whole and should be conducted periodically to help measure the impact of diversity initiatives.
Key takeaways
The hospitality industry is no stranger to diversity challenges. In an effort to better understand these challenges and find solutions, firms have begun to increase workplace diversity. By embracing diversity, employers can create an inclusive environment where employees feel accepted and valued. This can lead to improved retention rates, higher employee engagement, and a more positive work environment for everyone. It is crucial for businesses to develop a plan to increase diversity.
Doing so can help firms better identify areas where they may be lacking, as well as highlight efforts underway. Firms can also use the plan as a way to communicate the company’s values to employees. A culture audit can help businesses identify areas where employees may feel excluded or harassed. Doing so can help businesses create an inclusive environment free from these feelings.
It is crucial for firms to create a dialogue around how they are going to increase diversity. Doing so can help firms better understand and address any existing issues that may be holding back inclusive efforts. It is important for businesses to focus on diversity training. Doing so can help employees become more inclusive. This can help to curb any negative feelings towards different backgrounds and cultures.
It can be challenging for businesses to measure the effectiveness of initiatives designed to increase diversity. While most campaigns will inform customers, clients, or staff members, how they have positively impacted diverse communities it is important to also measure how they have positively impacted the individuals within your firm. Also, don’t forget to check out these 6 Amazing tips from Industry experts on how to start a Successful Business in the hospitality industry!
