Supporting refugees and internally displaced people
Guidance and training for the hospitality industry, and support for people who are currently displaced and in need of jobs or wishing to re-train for jobs in the industry
Throughout history, hotels across world – from global brands to small independent operators – have been opening their doors to support people fleeing conflicts and other crises.
There are many ways hotels can utilise their properties, networks and desire to help people to support those in need. This includes:
- Providing accommodation to refugees during their journeys
- Finding employment in alternative properties for existing staff who need to relocate
- Offering opportunities to displaced people needing new jobs
- Ensuring colleagues are financially supported where operations are ceased
- Providing donations to charities to support their efforts
Guidance for the hospitality industry
Free resources and trainings for the industry to enable increased support for refugees and internally displaced people
Providing employment opportunities
Practical tips for the hospitality industry wanting to support refugees and displaced people through employment.
Providing accommodation
Practical tips for the hospitality industry wanting to welcome refugee and internally displaced guests during their transit.
Ethical recruitment
Hotels should be aware of the increased risk of exploitation and human trafficking caused by displacement. Every hotel should have robust due diligence and protection measures across their operations and supply chains. We welcome you to use the following free resources:
- Establishing ethical recruitment practices in the hospitality industry
- Risks of Modern Slavery in Labour Sourcing training
- Promoting Fair Recruitment and Employment – for hotels in Qatar
If your hotel is interested in further ethical recruitment training for your staff and properties, please get in touch.
Support for displaced people
Employment opportunities and training for people who are refugees or internally displaced
Employment opportunities
Visit Hospitality Unite, our dedicated hub which hosts hospitality jobs for refugees and displaced people. (Currently available for Ukrainian refugees.)
Alternatively, if you are seeking employment, here is access to hotel employment sites which have opportunities available in cities across the world.
- Accor careers
- Hilton careers
- Hyatt careers
- IHG Hotels & Resorts careers
- Radisson Hotel Group careers
If you are a hotel and would like to offer job opportunities to refugees through our Hospitality Unite portal, please find out more.
Training opportunities
If you would like to learn new skills to work in hospitality, here is a selection of free trainings to get you started.
- Hospitality fundamentals – A fast-track introduction to working in a hotel, including hotel structure, departments and roles. Aimed at anyone who is looking to begin a career in the hospitality industry or switch careers.
- IHG Skills Academy – Free online trainings based on the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance employability curriculum. Includes training on hospitality fundamentals – including customer care, engaging with guests, delivering effortless service – communication, adaptability, future skills and self care. (Available in English and Ukrainian)
Examples from the hospitality industry
Utilising the talents of displaced colleagues
The Accor support office in Poland employed a staff member from one of their Ukrainian hotels to support their other hotel employees who remained in Ukraine as well as those escaping the area of conflict. The staff member’s role included being in regular touch with the employees from and in Ukraine to understand their needs and support them in finding employment in Accor hotels outside of the country.
The staff member also engaged in the recruitment of Ukrainian refugees who are not existing Accor hotels employees in Poland and other countries in Europe, and helped with the translation of materials and acting as a live interpreter during interviews and meetings.
Supporting colleagues in conflict areas
Through their ALL Heartiest Fund, Accor helped more than 440 employees in Ukraine financially and/or guaranteed and paid for housing in other countries for employees who escaped the area of conflict.
In addition, the group found employment outside of Ukraine for all Ukrainian Accor employees who requested it.
Supporting refugee employees to settle
The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, owned by Blackstone, has hired more than 65 refugees from Afghanistan and other countries, such as South Sudan and Guatemala, who currently make up about 25% of their total staff.
The hotel worked with a resettlement agency, starting with hiring one individual. From there, the Sheraton worked with the agency to recruit more refugees, with their refugee employees also referring their family and friends. Roles range from housekeeping, cooking and serving to accounting, purchasing and human resources. The goal for Marriott was not to just offer jobs but provide a path for long-term careers.
Recognising their new employees were newcomers to the US and still getting acclimated, they wanted to provide support beyond employment. The hotel welcomed many of their new staff by helping them with setting up bank accounts, showing them how to use public transport, hiring a translator, celebrating regional holidays, modifying cafeteria menus and constructing a prayer room to ensure they felt that they truly belonged and were part of the Marriott community.
