Accor calls on fellow hospitality businesses to welcome refugee and migrant workers
Accor has hired nearly 100 refugees and migrants from 18 different cultural backgrounds across 17 of its operated hotels and Qantas lounges, through a partnership with Community Corporate.
This cohort of employees – 68% of which are women – bring a rich mix of 22 spoken languages to hotels such as Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Mantra Hindmarsh Square Adelaide, Pullman on the Park Melbourne, Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour, Mercure Perth on Hay and Ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street.
Through the national partnership, which was established in early 2024, Accor is exploring new pathways to recruit and support refugee and migrant talent, building a more inclusive workplace in the process.
According to survey data from the Australian Institute of Family Studies, only 6% of refugees find employment in their first six months and just 23% within two years.
Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Adrian Williams, believes more hospitality businesses should be welcoming this largely untapped talent pool.
“Hospitality is, at its core, about people – and the richness of our industry comes from the diversity of those who power it,” said Williams.
by Ruth Hogan