Marriott CEO message on ICE is clear: prioritize safety of guests and staff, first
The Department of Homeland Security’s presence in Minneapolis reached the hotel industry’s doorstep when a Hampton Inn outside the city refused to accept the bookings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents three weeks ago. Hilton subsequently booted the hotel from its system, but the event made national headlines. In the aftermath, other hotel companies have been pressed on room bookings made by ICE agents.
It was a question Tony Capuano, president & CEO of Marriott International, was asked during a media breakfast at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit, here at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles at L.A. Live. More specific, how to assuage any fear from front-line employees.
“We prioritize the safety and security of our associates and our guests, and after rigorous evaluation, if we don’t believe there is meaningful risk to that, and we’re being compliant with law, we have a view of welcoming all,” Capuano said. “It’s a bad place for us to be to say, ‘Well, I don’t like that group or that person’s politics, so they’re not welcome, but I like this person’s views or politics, therefore, they are welcome.”
Asked if there was any inter-organizational messaging by Marriott to associates, Capuano said many general managers are reassuring and comforting associates—”that we’re going to stand by them.” He added: “It would be naive to suggest there’s not concern out there, and that concern is ratcheting up given recent events.”
by David Eisen