Let’s face it; today’s world is set on a global stage. Technology has made our world smaller and has given companies the opportunity to recruit the best people wherever they are. At the moment the words on everyone’s lips are ‘cultural diversity’. It is a trend that is most definitely here to stay, but what is it exactly?
Cultural diversity is a population where all differences are represented. So from a business perspective, types of workplace diversity include race, ethnicity, age, ability, language, nationality, socioeconomic status, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. And we all know that in the hospitality industry we get to interact with different people and cultures from across the world.
At IBB Hotel Collection, we know first hand what it means to be immersed in a culturally diverse environment and we pride ourselves in having a culturally diverse and international team that comes from different parts of the world.
On the 21st of May, the day celebrating World Day for Cultural Diversity, we are celebrating our culturally diverse team and highlighting not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of a culturally diverse team in the hospitality industry.
We believe that ultimately, workplace diversity and inclusion allows us to build teams that bring different viewpoints and talents to the mix, increasing innovation and driving higher revenues.
Our whole team interestingly and constantly mention how variety is the spice of life. Many feel very lucky to be part of such a diverse team and because we welcome guests from all 4 corners of the world and from different cultures, between the whole team we can normally manage to find someone who can truly understand their needs.
At IBB Hotel Collection we believe that a culturally diverse workplace empowers people to develop their talents and skills. A range of ideas and expertise enables those to learn from a more diverse collection of colleagues and it can also boost problem-solving capabilities and increase happiness and productivity.
“In an environment where all voices are heard, this spirit of innovation and encouragement to contribute can drive success,” said Anuschka von der Heyden, Head of Sustainability at Von der Heyden Group.
Each and every team member know how to play to each other’s strengths, and who would be the best person to deal with any given situation. They are there for each other both in and out of work, and the results that they see when they all pull together are truly remarkable and something they are all very proud of.
Also, since as a business we are aiming to tap into different markets and new countries and are very much excited to open our doors beyond Europe in the future, we believe that the best way to learn about other cultures and ethnicity is by talking to people with that background.
Research can only get you so far and has a far less personal touch. By communicating with someone with a different culture or background we not only gain first hand knowledge, but also connect directly. This is very important for us as a business, and we try to make sure that this mantra is adhered to each and every single day.
The teams’ knowledge of different cultural perspectives, and the many skills and backgrounds certainly helps us create a better guest experience, where our culture very much informs the way we shape the experience for each of our guests. Working with a multicultural team also puts each team member outside their bubble, allowing them to see the world from a different lens.
Personalisation is key when creating an experience and at IBB Hotel and Cugó Gran Collection we try and make each guest feel as special as possible.
If you are interested in World Cultural Diversity Day and would like to have a look at some outcomes of the first phase of implementation of the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators in countries and cities from all regions of the world take a peek at this video.
Keep your eyes open for our next actions this year. We have big ambitions for 2023 – and have been accomplishing a series of sustainability goals across the group’s hotels and will continue to do so throughout the whole year.
And if you would like to read more about our other sustainability initiatives for 2023, you can do so here.