Hyatt Hotels to ban hate groups

Right-wing demonstrators taunt counter-demonstrators during the Denver March Against Sharia Law in Denver, Colorado on June 10, 2017.
The march was supported by two right-wing groups, The Proud Boys, and Bikers Against Radical Islam. Police kept the counter protestors separated during the rally which was held in front of the Colorado State Capital. The march was one of many held throughout the U.S. opposing Sharia law, and was viewed by many as promoting both Islamophobia and racism. / AFP PHOTO / Jason Connolly        (Photo credit should read JASON CONNOLLY/AFP/Getty Images)

Hyatt is the latest hospitality group on the US to ban hate groups, revealed CEO Mark Hoplamazian.

Speaking at Skift Global Forum in New York City, Hoplamazian said there’s no place for hate groups at any Hyatt properties.

“If a group is primarily focused on disparaging a group by virtue of their identity…that’s really where we need to draw the line,” he said.

“We’re going to apply our values to making these decisions along the way.”

The move comes after the company copped criticism in August for hosting an anti-Muslim hate group at one of its properties in Washington, D.C.

Mark Hoplamazian

Mark Hoplamazian

According to Skift, Hoplamazian sent a memo to Hyatt employees last week announcing the policy change, putting an emphasis on inclusiveness and empathy, which he said are “deeply personal to me”.

The CEO accompanied a group of other hotel and travel leaders to meet with US president Donald Trump last month to discuss the importance of conveying a welcoming message to international travellers.

“The purpose of the visit was to focus on things that we’re trying to promote as an industry,”  Hoplamazian told Skift.

“We talked about extending a message of warm welcome to the rest of the world which we feel is critical. Our pitch is that that’s actually most effective when it comes from the top. We didn’t get any commitments on that but we think we made our case.”

He said the visa waiver program was also discussed.

“We were able to get a commitment to go back and look at policies in place that could expand the freedom to travel.”

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

hate groups Hyatt Mark Hoplamazian

Latest News

  • Tourism

Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs

Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull is departing the agency with effect from Friday May 10. Over the past three years, Turnbull played an instrumental role in driving growth, with one of the agency’s most significant achievements being the increase in visitor spend. Under her leadership, Tourism WA achieved a record breaking $17.7 billion in […]

  • Travel Agents

DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign

DriveAway has launched its Brit-Euro Blitz: Explore the UK, Europe & Ireland campaign, designed to inspire travellers to uncover the beauty and diversity of those destinations during May and June. The campaign arrives amidst a surge in popularity for destinations across the UK, Europe and Ireland, with year-to-date increases averaging around 30%. Notably, cities such […]

  • Road & Rail

Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern

Great Southern’s Fly and Stay Free special offer will have travellers taking in the views along the east coast between Adelaide and Brisbane next summer. This bright orange locomotive chases the summer sun, sharing the incredible coastline with those who want to experience it by train. The journey reflects the best of Australia, from charming […]

  • Tourism

Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips

Gen Z travellers prefer to limit alcohol when overseas and have an increased reliance on TikTok when planning a trip, according to a report by StudentUniverse, the world’s largest online travel retailer for young people. The State of Student & Youth Travel Report for 2024 delved into the latest travel sentiments amongst those aged 18-25 […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]