Hyatt strengthens DEI commitment to create more inclusive workplaces in Asia

Driven by the purpose of caring for people so they can be their best, Hyatt is committed to creating truly inclusive experiences that can make a difference in the lives of everyone they touch.

As a key player in the global hospitality industry, this commitment extends to all stakeholders, including colleagues, guests, customers, owners, investors, and communities. To address the talent challenge in the hospitality industry, the key pillar of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is also at the heart of Hyatt’s people strategy.

Yi Zhang, Senior Vice-President of HR, Asia-Pacific, Hyatt, told HRM Magazine Asia, “By fostering a strong sense of belonging, we aim to attract, develop, and retain top talent. This focus is integrated into our culture, values, leadership expectations, and colleague wellbeing.”

“By promoting DEI initiatives like our Diversity Immersion Programme (DIP), Hyatt uniquely positions itself to offer valuable opportunities for one programme across three industries with mentorship, rotation, and learning. This initiative provides young talent with a distinctive perspective on the hospitality sector and paves the way for long-term career growth.”

Driven by a passion for creating a more meaningful and inclusive workplace, Gordan Chan, Hyatt’s Senior Vice-President of Legal, Asia-Pacific, initiated and introduced the DIP in 2021; since then, the programme has grown to become one of Hyatt’s key initiatives in fostering diversity and inclusion across Asia.

In collaboration with Manulife and Herbert Smith Freehills, the DIP provides participants valuable career development opportunities within the hospitality industry.

Zhang shared, “We recently held the programme for the fourth and second consecutive year in Hong Kong and Singapore, respectively. With the help of our partners, we are proud to have created opportunities to share knowledge and insights that help our participants as they navigate their current and future careers. Through the four-week programme, we have also strengthened our understanding of how to engage the next generation of leaders.”

This year, a diverse group of students in Hong Kong and Singapore from diverse backgrounds, including those from minority, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ communities, were provided with the opportunity to interact with senior leaders from Hyatt, address Hyatt’s regional team by speaking at Hyatt’s Pride month panel discussion, and tour Hyatt hotels.

This allowed them to gain first-hand experience of day-to-day operations in Hyatt’s regional hub and hotels, and to better understand how different departments function and contribute to the overall guest experience at Hyatt.

In Hong Kong, this also involved supporting one of the key collaborators for this year’s programme, Dignity Kitchen, which strives to help people with disabilities and disadvantages through skills training, gainful employment, and greater social inclusion.

Declaring this year’s DIP a resounding success, Zhang said, “We received positive feedback from participants who completed the DIP. Many felt more confident and gained networking opportunities that led to internships or job offers in their respective fields. The programme’s emphasis on mentorship from senior leaders has also played a crucial role in shaping participants’ career trajectories.”

Besides paving the way for the next generation of employees to enter the workforce, Hyatt strives to cultivate a workplace environment where individuals are valued and celebrated. This purpose of care motivates them to better care for guests, customers, owners, and one another.

“Furthermore, we have set clear DEI commitments and established wellbeing as a core company value,” Zhang continued. “We have established Diversity Business Resource Groups (DBGRs) that provide colleague-led platforms to embrace the varied communities within our business and their allies.”

“Some examples of these platforms are Women@Hyatt for female colleagues, and HyPride for those from an LGBTQ+ background. Ultimately, our focus on DEI helps us strengthen our brand and enhance the guest experience.”

Building truly inclusive workplaces begins with focus on DEI

As 2025 rapidly approaches, Hyatt is reaffirming its commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where employees can thrive, feel a genuine sense of belonging, and have the opportunities to advance in their careers.

Describing the embedding of DEI into an organisation’s culture at every level as “transformational”, Zhang added, “For organisations to culture authenticate diversity, these commitments must be rooted in their core values and purpose, becoming integral to their operations.”

“This requires consistent reinforcement from leadership and engagement across the organisation, with everyone contributing to bring these commitments to life through their words and actions. We’ve witnessed the positive impact of this approach at Hyatt, nurturing diversity that drives innovation, creativity, and agility within our business.”

READ MORE: Bridging the DEI perception gap in Asia-Pacific workplaces

To continue to be an employer of choice, Hyatt believes that DEI plays an imperative and crucial role.

Its annual DEI report, for instance, transparently shares key data on their global objectives. This includes Hyatt’s dedication to hiring, developing, and retaining diverse talent, with a specific focus on increasing the representation of women in key leadership roles by 2025 compared to 2020. The report also provides a timely platform to showcase colleague-focused initiatives that demonstrate the tangible impacts of Hyatt’s commitments in the markets they operate.

Zhang continued, “For instance, RiseHY is dedicated to creating opportunities for young individuals who have been disconnected from the economy due to a lack of education and employment. Through grants, mentorship, and partnerships with NGOs, we not only expand and nurture our talent pipeline but also enrich the diversity within our workforce.”

“Finally, we plan to extend our Diversity Initiatives Programme to more countries in the Asia-Pacific region, further amplifying its impact in 2025.”