Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has achieved a significant milestone with 15 hotel openings and 50 signings in its Women Own the Room programme in just over 24 months of operation.
The initiative aims to enhance diversity within the hotel industry, marking a significant step towards its goal.
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Driving diversity in hospitality
The Women Own the Room programme, pioneered by Wyndham, strives to address the gender gap in hotel ownership.
While women constitute 60% of the hospitality workforce, they hold only one leadership position for every ten men, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Castell Project.
Recognising this disparity, Wyndham aims to break down barriers hindering women’s progress in hotel ownership.
Breaking down barriers
The programme offers comprehensive financial solutions, personalised operational support and a supportive community for women aspiring to own hotels.
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By GlobalDataChristina Lambert, a film and television producer-turned-hotelier, exemplifies the success of the initiative. Lambert, along with her mother, ventured into hotel ownership in 2020, purchasing two hotels in Loveland, Colorado.
Facing challenges in securing funding for one of the properties, Lambert finally found support from a lender.
Inspired by Wyndham’s commitment to diverse ownership and its tailored support, Lambert joined forces with the hotel giant. With Wyndham’s assistance, her hotels — a 50-room Travelodge by Wyndham and a 49-room Baymont® by Wyndham —have flourished, surpassing their competitors.
The Travelodge’s revenues have soared by over 29% since 2022, while the Baymont, converted from a competitor brand in 2021, has witnessed a remarkable 26% year-on-year revenue increase.
Transforming the industry
Wyndham’s vice-president of strategic franchise initiatives, Galen Barrett, expressed pride in leading the charge towards greater diversity in the hotel industry.
“For decades, the hotel industry has been complacent in allowing women to remain on the sidelines of hotel ownership and in turn, has missed out on the opportunity to strengthen itself through greater diversity,” he said.
He highlighted the significance of initiatives such as Women Own the Room in reshaping the sector’s landscape.
Christina Lambert, now a successful Wyndham franchisee and member of Women Own the Room, attributed her achievements to Wyndham’s support and investment in women. She emphasised the company’s pivotal role in empowering female hoteliers and transforming the industry’s dynamics.
Wyndham’s Women Own the Room initiative continues to pave the way for women seeking opportunities in hotel ownership, fostering an environment of inclusivity and empowerment within the hospitality sector.
