A few months ago, I posted a blog about the decline in travel and tourism in Mexico as a result of the global recession and the concern about the H1N1 virus. In fact, for some of our properties, the decline in occupancy was so drastic management was faced with the possibility of having to lay off members of their staff.
One of those hotels was The Ritz-Carlton in Cancun. The summer months in North America are considered the slow season in Cancun and the hotel was hosting even fewer guests than in past years. The general manager, Hermann Elger, faced a difficult decision about laying off his staff. Hermann's concern for the well-being of his associates led him to an inventive idea that allowed many of his people to keep working and support themselves and their families.
Hermann knew that the slow season in Cancun was actually high season for many cruise lines so he reached out to Carnival Cruise Lines. He explained the situation in Mexico and suggested that, during their high season, they consider offering employment on some of their ships to our Ritz-Carlton staff from his hotel.
The team from Carnival was excited about this idea and came to the hotel and held a job fair for all those associates interested in temporarily joining their team for a few months. Almost 40 members of Hermann's team joined the staff aboard various Carnival Cruise ships based throughout the United States in Miami, Jacksonville, Los Angeles and even Alaska!
This is a great experience for these associates. Many of them have never left Mexico and are now getting to see exciting new places while still supporting themselves and their families back home. I hope these associates enjoy their experiences and learn a lot while on this special assignment. This was a great idea by Hermann Elger and I salute him for thinking outside the box. His actions embody the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton cultures of keeping the welfare of his team top of mind.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Mr Marriot,
This was definately a superb idea and it shows the innovative ways of the management within the Marriot hotel company, along with the extent that they will go to in order to minimilize the negative effects of economic scenarios on staff. This is an excellent example of networking within the industry that has positively effected staff members but also positively reflects the ideas of management. Understanding not only your industry but other industries that could be considered your competitors is something this manager has done. This example truly shows a positive way of turning disadvantages (being the economic competition of the cruise industry)into advantages for staff members as well as management.
Posted by: Nicholas Call | 04/29/2010 at 03:07 PM
very nice story
Posted by: sarfaraz | 04/29/2010 at 01:50 PM
In Asia, Hpl group also doing some cross exposure for the staff within their hotel group which spread out in Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives and others country. I hope all the big establishment will have a standard solution like this to keep the employee as an important asset of company.
Posted by: boyin | 09/21/2009 at 03:39 PM
We own Marriott Timeshares and actually stayed at this location. We had an exceptional time and the people were fabulous. It starts at the top!
Posted by: Christine Williams | 09/21/2009 at 06:09 AM
Kudos to you Mr. Marriott, what a great way to help out your associates and the industry!
Posted by: Vina Crandall | 09/21/2009 at 03:41 AM
What a superb idea. Mr. Elger has shown what executives the world over should become aware of, namely, that concern and respect for their employees is the primary factor in building a successful company. Who wouldn't bring all their talents to bear and work hard for an executive who really cares about them. The Marriott's people lead the business community in so many ways.
Posted by: tom osterman | 09/20/2009 at 03:54 AM
That is truly remarkable. Mr.Hermann Elger is a walking example of Marriott core values.
Posted by: Zankhna Desai | 09/19/2009 at 11:33 AM
JUST MET A FAMILY WHOSE SON IS A MARINE INJURED IN AFGHANISTAN. HE IS IN A REHAB HOSPITAL AND THEY ARE STAYING AT A MARRIott RESIDENCE INN A FEW MILES AWAY in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR THEM?
Posted by: JACKIE TEMPLIN | 09/19/2009 at 05:45 AM
I salute Hermann Elger for his excellent innovative idea!
Posted by: Cynthia O'Connell | 09/19/2009 at 01:18 AM
What good thinking, truly outside the box. Writing this comment at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort which is...full!
Posted by: Hank Mancini | 09/18/2009 at 02:35 PM
What a great idea! Sounds like a win-win situation. Kudos to Mr. Elger for not only coming up with a great idea but also for putting the idea into action.
Posted by: Kevin | 09/18/2009 at 01:34 PM
Thank you for lovely story!
Posted by: CLA | 09/18/2009 at 10:33 AM