In support of its recently launched national diversity initiative, the American Hotel & Lodging Association
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In support of its recently launched national diversity initiative, the American Hotel & Lodging Association
(AH&LA) is currently updating its highly acclaimed 1997 Turnover and Diversity in the Lodging Industry study, which provided a snapshot of diversity among line-level, supervisory, and managerial employees.
Funded by its not-for-profit affiliate, the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), this historic research project will meticulously examine turnover and diversity matters to understand the tremendous bottom line impact of embracing emerging groups and markets within the U.S. lodging industry.
The updated report strives to continue the study`s original goals as well as identify and measure demographic turnover
characteristics across selected variables. It also aims to gather information on minorities in senior management and
ownership positions to establish sustainable benchmarks.
Gauging the hotel community`s current practices is crucial if we are to fully understand the bottom line impact of diversity. This data will point toward untapped opportunities and provide significant return on investment for all committed participants, said Joseph A. McInerney, CHA, AH&LA President and CEO and AH&LEF President. It is also our hope that this research – perhaps acting as the impetus for future projects – will lead hoteliers and industry investors toward building a sustainable multicultural and inclusion program to be included in every lodging industry business model.
Additionally, this project supports the joint efforts of the association`s Human Resource Council and recently established Multicultural and Diversity Advisory Council, chaired by Wyndham International Chairman and CEO Fred J. Kleisner. Respectively, the groups provide a forum to ensure that the lodging industry is recognized as providing career opportunities; and creates programs to aid in promoting, recruiting, and retaining qualified workers who represent a broad spectrum of racial and special groups.
With an expected completion date of January 2005, the research project is being conducted by The University of Houston`s Hospitality Industry Diversity Institute (HIDI). The organization focuses on diversity education, training, and issue resolution affecting the hospitality industry and its workforce. Since its inception in 1989, it has championed the cause of inclusion as an organizational value through policy, education, and outreach efforts to influence awareness and acceptance of workplace diversity and its bottom line impact.
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