Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks company, today announced the findings and recommendations of a White Paper backed by the efforts of key hospitality and tourism industry members, to explore challenges of talent shortages in the sector. The White Paper entitled ‘Women in Tourism and Hospitality: Unlocking the Potential in the Talent Pool’, was produced by the Hospitality Industry Pipeline (HIP) Coalition and was launched at the Women in Tourism and Hospitality Forum in Hong Kong on 5 March, ahead of International Women’s Day.
Established last year, the HIP Coalition brings together leading industry members to identify, share and promote best practice in recruitment, employment, diversity and inclusion. Led by Diageo, other members include Accor Hotels, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, Sala Baï Hotel and Restaurant School and CARE International. Research partners are Professor Tom Baum from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and Associate Professor Catherine Cheung from Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
“Two thirds of the global hospitality industry workforce is comprised of women and 73 million new travel and tourism jobs will be created by 2022. However, the UN World Tourism Organization asserts that women in this sector are still underpaid, under-utilized, under-educated, and under-represented. We know gender diverse leadership teams deliver better financial performance for companies. The aim of the Coalition and White Paper are to raise awareness of the pressing talent issues facing the hospitality sector and lead the industry to address them through diversity, thereby growing communities and businesses” said Sam Fischer, President Greater China and Asia, Diageo.
“At Diageo, we are committed to creating shared value by building thriving communities that enable those who live and work in our communities, particularly women, to have the skills and resources to build a better future for themselves. This Coalition is an integral part of our community programme ‘Plan W: Empowering Women through Learning’. ” added Fischer.
Through Plan W, Diageo’s goal is to empower two million women across all socio-economic profiles by 2017, giving them opportunities to learn and develop skills to be able to influence society and the economy. The recommendations in the White Paper will help harness the opportunities presented in the booming hospitality industry to realize this goal and at the same time address the sector’s talent needs and grow the industry in partnership.
