Building Inclusive Workplaces: Best Practices from Industry Leaders

The second day of the eighth edition of the BW Hotelier Indian Hospitality Summit & Awards (IHA 2024) commenced with introductory greetings by Bhuvanesh Khanna, CEO - BW Communities, BW BW Businessworld followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by industrialists like KB Kachru, Ajay Bakaya and others began the activities for day two. In the day two the theme operations and talent pool will focus on operational excellence and development of a world class talent pool 

After the insightful sessions from the morning we move forward to discuss the Women Leadership Roundtable shaping the future of hospitality, fostering inclusive leadership and empowering women to drive progress and innovation within the industry. Exploring the strategies and insights from top professionals with moderator as Rakhee Lalvani, Founder, RLA and other women speakers as  Pratima Badhwar, Head – Commercial India & South Asia, Accor, Reema Singh, Director Communications, South Asia, Hilton, Sonavi Kaicker, CEO, Neemrana Hotels, Shweta Jain, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts

Badhwar said, “ Globally we have 45 per cent  global workforce with women At headquarters we have 50 per cent  workforce as women. In India, we have 18 per cent  of the workforce as women, and will be taking to make 20 per cent  by the end of this year”. “This generation is very impatient, they want career growth. The best gratification for this new generation is remuneration and as an organisation we are paying overtime. We have implemented this all over the properties. The Managers and teams ensures that the folks leaving on time”

Singh added and said, “Diversity initiative, communication and Hilton Foundations are the three core that we core touch upon. Around 55 per cent  of our APAC leadership is held by women. Also Hilton has signed a gender parity pledge that is by 2027 we hope to have equal number of men and women at Hilton in Global leadership heads and as well as board of directors”

Jain said,  “Inclusion of diversity that we focus upon”. “With our own team, more than 37 per cent  of our senior managers are women which is the highest in India”. “With the extended communities, we are enabling 4000 bal grams with Kailash Satyarthi , we are working with Smriti Mandhna to promote wellness and sports and fitness”. “We are the first one to take a lead in multi generational leisure destination programming.

Kaicker said,  “Inclusion of Local community in Neemrana has always been our focus since last 31 years”. “ We work more with people from rural areas and villages, through interactions with anganwadi centres.” “We have various tie ups in ‘Kala Sakhi’, where women have prepared sustainable gifts and hampers for the guests.” “ we are able to achieve 10 per cent  women representation at unit level and at corporate level we are nearly at 40 per cent  women representatives here” 

The two-day BW Hotelier Indian Hospitality Summit & Awards (IHA 2024) encompassed over 20 sessions where hospitality veterans and experts across the nation gathered in order to provide diverse knowledge and insights. The Summit & Awards is a testament to BW Hotelier’s commitment towards revolutionising Indian hospitality by honouring the Crème de la crème of the industry.