- Hilton Effect measures the positive impact the brand has had on guests, team members, and communities
Hilton, one of the fastest-growing hospitality companies in the world, has kick-started its 100th anniversary celebrations in South East Asia. In the lead-up to its centennial milestone on 31 May, the global hospitality company aims to bring what it coined ‘The Hilton Effect’ to life through a series of initiatives that will involve more than 12,000 team members across nine countries to impact communities and surprise guests.
Over the last century, Hilton has impacted over 10 million team members globally. The strength and impact of the brand have had positive, world-altering impact on the lives of team members, communities, and guests around the world – this is known as the ‘Hilton Effect’. This has been researched and documented by business authors Chip Heath and Karla Starr to document the impact on travellers, industry, communities, and team members.
Hilton Colombo Residences employs two differently-abled team members in its operations. Diluksha Weerasinghe, 20, is employed as a pool attendant and therapist in the sports centre. Diluksha is hearing impaired and has been mute his entire life. Despite these circumstances, he pursued his education at the Ratmalana School for the Deaf and Blind.
Under normal circumstances, Diluksha would not have received an opportunity to work in a 100-year-old pioneer in the hospitality industry, however, Hilton’s inclusive environment has allowed him to pursue a thriving career. Using sign language, Diluksha says, “Hilton gave me an opportunity no one else did. Hilton gave me a career. I am happy to be with Hilton during its 100th anniversary celebrations.”
Shyamal Chinthaka, 36, has been with the hotel since 2018 and is employed in the capacity of Water Bottling Plant Attendant. He, too, is challenged in communications since birth. Since the opening of the hotel’s bottling plant, Shyamal has been responsible for running it ensuring that the hotel’s water requirement is met daily with the collection, distilling, and distribution of water bottles. He says that he is proud to work for Hilton; using sign language he goes on to say, “Hilton is the best place to work and I believe that I can have a good future here with my Hilton Family.”
Chithra Jayaweera, 50, who is employed in the kitchen in the capacity of Commis III says that her lifelong ambition was to be a chef in a hotel. “I had no formal training, but my one desire was to be a chef. When the opportunity arose at Hilton Colombo Residences, I passed the interview and practical test surpassing those who had years of training. Hilton made my dream come through by recognising passion; now I am able to support my children in their education,” says Jayaweera.
Nuwan Tharanga, 33, was a victim of the flood in 2017. With days left for his wedding, he was unsure if he would be able to go ahead as he had lost his home and belongings. “The management of the hotel offered to host my wedding without any financial burden on me or my family. The wedding went ahead as planned only because Hilton stepped in. I am deeply indebted to Hilton,” says Nuwan Tharanga, shift leader in the Kitchen department.
Janaka Fernando, 38, restaurant manager, too, had an unfortunate incident where his home succumbed to a devastating fire earlier in 2019. “I thought I lost it all,” says Fernando. “The hotel and team personally pledged money and raised enough to help me rebuild my life. After three months, with the support of Hilton Residences, I have rebuilt my life.”
Speaking of Hilton’s 100th anniversary, Hilton Colombo Residences General Manager Linda Giebing says that Hilton has a long history of operating in Sri Lanka, and during this time it has impacted not just guests, but also on the lives of team members and communities. “I believe that diversity is at the core of Hilton values and success. Team members around the globe belonging to various cultures, nationalities, and beliefs deliver exceptional guest experiences with each experience being as unique to their identity.”
“Hilton Colombo Residences is committed to making our workforce inclusive, representing diversity at all levels. This policy has enabled us to provide work opportunities for team members like Shyamal and Diluksha and pave the way for many more. We see how this has evoked a sense of pride within the team as a whole and how these two team members are beating the odds and are adding to excellence within their respective teams. Hilton has impacted 10 million team members in its 100-year long journey. It has helped discover talent, hone skills, built careers, but also focused on taking care of team members like Janaka, Chithra, and Nuwan who were challenged in their personal lives has made the world a better place,” says Giebing.
“We aim to provide an environment that fosters support, physically and emotionally of our team members, making it the preferred choice of employment in hospitality.”
Hilton currently operates 39 hotels in South East Asia, with over 12,000 rooms across nine countries, and a pipeline of 51 hotels which will open in the next three to five years. The region is a key growth engine for Hilton, where the global hospitality company has been a pioneer in entering new destinations. This includes the launch of Hilton in Myanmar with the opening of Hilton Nay Pyi Taw in 2014 and the launch of the Hilton brand in Manila last year.
Further, the company is looking forward to the opening of Hilton Dili Palm Springs in Timor Leste by 2020, which will mark not only the foray of Hilton’s flagship brand into the country but the first internationally-branded hotel to enter the market.
For more information on the Hilton Effect on team members at Hilton Colombo Residences, visit the hotel’s Facebook page.
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko