The World’s Top Companies for Women 2023 list by Forbes assesses companies across a range of industries, including hotel and hospitality groups, giving scores on employer brand, public opinion and leadership.
The hotel group awarded a top spot in Forbes’s list of 400 companies was Marriott International, which achieved fifth place.
Earlier in 2023, Marriott unveiled its "Bridging the Gap" diversity programme to address barriers to entry in hotel ownership among under-represented groups. The company also offers a Women’s Executive Mentorship Programme and a Women in Leadership and Learning programme.
Marriott executive vice-president and chief human resources officer Ty Breland told Forbes: “We empower women by providing flexibility and choice. This includes options for flexible scheduling, part-time management roles and broader jobs where associates can learn and perform multiple tasks across the hotel, leading to greater responsibility, diversity and opportunities for career advancement.”
Forbes reports that women represent 57% of CEO direct reports, 51% of US executives and 47% of global executives at Marriott International.
The next hotel group in the World’s Top Companies for Women 2023 list was Accor in the 40th spot, followed by Hilton in 87th place, IHG Hotels & Resorts in 369th and Hyatt in 373rd.
Choice Hotels International was ranked 395th. This is the second consecutive year it has been highlighted by Forbes.
Gender-based initiatives implemented by Choice include associate-led Choice Resource Group, the Women’s Business Alliance. The group promotes women’s growth and development and provides a forum for women leaders and a sounding board for women’s issues in the workplace.
Choice also created the HERtels programme, an educational pathway that aims to help women entrepreneurs with the financial aspects of hotel investment. Since its inception, the company has reportedly awarded more than 25 contracts to women entrepreneurs.
Choice Hotels senior vice-president Simone Wu commented: “This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our workplace supports the unique perspectives of all our associates, and dedication to being a community where everyone can achieve personal and professional fulfilment."
