Seven Secrets of Inclusive Hospitality: A New Standard for Welcoming All Travelers
- Danny Guerrero
- 14 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The Culturist Group Partners with HospitableMe and Collective of Inclusive Experts to Deliver Two-Day Online Training Course for Travel Brands
At The Culturist Group, we've long believed that true hospitality goes beyond providing excellent service — it involves creating spaces where every traveler feels seen, respected, and valued. It reflects in all our partnerships and collaborations.
Danny Guerrero, Founder and CEO of The Culturist Group is proud to serve as moderator for the Seven Secrets workshops — a two-day interactive, online training designed to reshape how hospitality professionals think about inclusion, belonging, and the guest experience. Over the past six years, Hospitable.me engaged with individuals from 16 diverse identities to understand their unique challenges and needs when traveling. Their insights have led to the development of the Seven Secrets of Inclusive Hospitality, a transformative framework that redefines how we approach inclusion in the hospitality industry.
The inaugural Seven Secrets of Inclusive Hospitality workshop brought together a pioneering group of organizations committed to creating more welcoming travel experiences. Participants included MMGY, Visit Lexington, Destination Madison, Sonoma County Tourism, and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance — leaders who are already putting inclusion into action across their destinations and brands. Their engagement set a powerful tone for the program, demonstrating how the Seven Secrets can inspire meaningful change across all corners of the hospitality industry.
What Are the Seven Secrets?
The Seven Secrets are guiding principles designed to help hospitality professionals create environments that welcome all guests, regardless of their background or identity. These principles are:
Be Open: Embrace openness and willingness to relearn, challenging personal biases.
Build Understanding: Value unique experiences and challenges in travel and hospitality.
Reject Preconceptions: Overcome unconscious biases for genuine connections and respectful service.
Honor Autonomy: Respect personal space, privacy, and decision-making autonomy.
Craft Connections: Create authentic, empathetic interactions enhancing guest experience.
Accommodate Differences: Recognize and adapt to diverse guest needs, ensuring equality.
Drive Change: Foster diversity and proactive engagement within organizations and communities.
These principles are grounded in research and interviews with individuals from various identities, exploring common feelings and experiences of those navigating environments that may not consider, welcome, or accommodate them.
Join Our Upcoming Workshops. Or book your own.
To help hospitality professionals implement these principles, we're offering an interactive two-day online workshop. This session will provide actionable strategies to:
Identify and challenge ingrained biases.
Proactively welcome travelers of all identities.
Create inclusive marketing strategies.
Cultivate understanding of diverse challenges in hospitality.
Innovate in service recovery.
Foster an environment of respect for identities, privacy, and space.
Improve traveler and customer satisfaction.
This workshop is ideal for destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, hotels, and other hospitality entities committed to enhancing inclusivity and belonging in their services.
Why It Matters
Inclusion isn't just a buzzword — it's a necessity. As the travel industry continues to evolve, embracing diversity and fostering a sense of belonging are crucial for attracting and retaining guests. By adopting the Seven Secrets, you'll not only improve the guest experience but also contribute to a more equitable and inclusive industry.
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