Even as brands and companies across the U.S. shy away from embracing diversity efforts within their companies, the travel industry has a chance to remain steadfast in its commitment to welcoming guests and employees of all backgrounds.
Erich Schwartzel, author and reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and Shawn Hoctor, chief financial officer for Life Properties International, were guests on the latest episode of the Next Gen in Lodging podcast with host Chris Henry. Schwartzel and Hoctor discussed their travel experiences as gay men and where the hospitality industry stands with LGBTQ+ initiatives in this Pride Month episode.
There's been a bit of a "vibe shift" across all brands and industries to avoid any political landmines after U.S. President Donald Trump took office for the second time this past January, Schwartzel said. Trump's administration has taken a stand against diversity, equity and inclusion programming, including signing an executive order his first day in office to terminate such programs within the federal government.
The hotel industry has been one of the last industries to give in to these changes, though, Schwartzel said.
"It's just so striking, because I was a reporter during the first Trump administration, when it seemed like every company was actively engaging in these political issues and we had a lot of CEOs speaking out about them," he said. "Now it seems like a couple of things have happened that has put the companies in a position where they are avoiding it altogether."
But in the hotel industry specifically, which contains global companies that get visitors from all walks of life, upholding global standards that are inclusive is "extremely important," Hoctor said.
"I have hope that large hotel companies will continue those initiatives because they're not just in red states or blue states. They're not just in conservative countries or in liberal countries. They're all over the place. They're around the world," he said.
For more from Henry, Schwartzel and Hoctor, listen to the full podcast at the link above.
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