Hilton India Best Workplace
HILTON INDIA RECENTLY received the “India's No. 1 Company to Work For” award from Great Place to Work, a global research and consulting firm, for the second consecutive year. The recognition is based on a comprehensive survey of more than 5 million employees from across 1,750 organizations in India.
The award ceremony took place in Mumbai last month.
"It's a great honour to be named India's #1 Best Company to Work for 2024 for the second consecutive year,” said Zubin Saxena, Hilton India’s senior vice president and country head. “It embodies our dedication to fostering a work environment that instills pride and fosters meaningful connections for our team members. We are deeply grateful to all members of the Hilton India team, who bring their passion each day to work and deliver outstanding hospitality experiences for our guests.”
Saxena joined Hilton India in November from Radisson Hotel Group and assumed responsibilities in January, overseeing Hilton’s operational hotels in India and leading the company’s expansion in South Asia.
Every year, Great Place to Work identifies India's top "100 Best Companies to Work For," evaluating aspects of a company’s culture such as credibility, pride, respect, camaraderie and fairness, Hilton said in a statement. Key factors contributing to Hilton’s ranking include its commitment to diversity and equity, a positive work environment and a strong sense of pride in the company’s values and vision.
Hilton India currently employs nearly 3,500 staff members across its 28 properties nationwide.
"This acknowledgment truly reflects the exceptional culture we've fostered for our team members at Hilton,” said Sabu Raghavan, Hilton India’s vice president of human resources. “People have always been the bedrock of our success, spreading the light and warmth of hospitality. I am incredibly grateful to have such an amazing team by my side, and this award reflects our commitment to building an equitable and fully human experience at work for our people to help them thrive every day.”
Meanwhile, the company plans to triple its estate to 75-100 hotels over the next five to seven years, targeting the top 10 Indian markets, according to a report in The Hindu Business Line. This includes both operational and pipeline hotels.
“Our existing pipeline is as strong as our current portfolio, and we’re signing deals at a rapid pace,” Saxena said in the report
In February, Hilton announced a global ambassador partnership with Indian actor Deepika Padukone to expand its presence in the Indian market and support the 'Hilton. For The Stay' marketing platform launched in July 2022.
Hilton Hotels and Resorts recently retained its title as the world’s most valuable hotel brand for the ninth consecutive year, while Hyatt Hotels Corp. secured the second spot again, according to the Brand Finance Global 500 2024 ranking. India's Taj is the world’s second-fastest-growing brand, driven by revenue growth and increased brand strength.
In November, Hilton was recognized as the World’s Best Workplace by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work, marking the first time a hospitality company has received this honor. This follows eight consecutive appearances on the “World’s Best” list.
Canadian traveler picks Pakistan’s hospitality over India’s
Pakistan Beats India in Hospitality, Says Canadian Vlogger
INDIA IS KNOWN for “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning "The guest is God," but some foreigners disagree. A Canadian man, when asked to choose between India and Pakistan for better hospitality, picked Pakistan without hesitation.
His brief interview with an Instagram user has since gone viral, Hindustan Times reported.
Instagram user @officialnamour, known for vox pop videos, recently asked Canadian traveler Nolan Saumure about "desi" hospitality. Saumure, a Canadian travel vlogger, has visited dozens of countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Indonesia, the U.S. and Vietnam.
When asked, “India or Pakistan—which has better hospitality?” Saumure instantly replied, "Pakistan, obviously."
He explained that Indians often see foreigners as wealthy customers, while Pakistanis offer warm hospitality, inviting tourists into their homes and offering food.
"You go to India, and people just see you as a walking ATM," Saumure said. "You go to Pakistan, and people are like, 'Oh, come here, sit. Take this free food. Come sleep at my place.'"
The video has more than 4.4 million views and hundreds of comments, many agreeing with Saumure.
"As an African living in Dubai, I agree with him. Pakistanis are friendlier than Indians. Pakistanis see you as a friend, while Indians see you as a stranger," one user commented. Another added simply, “I agree (I’m Indian).”
“India gets a lot of tourists, so we’re used to it and have built an economy around them,” another Instagram user said. “Pakistan gets only a few hundred tourists a year, so seeing a foreigner is a big deal for them.”
Some criticized Saumure’s opinion, some with racial overtones.
“Why do whites expect princess treatment from Indians after stealing $45 trillion from India?” one user asked.
A whitepaper by the Confederation of Indian Industry and EY projects India’s tourism and hospitality sector will create 6.1 million jobs by 2034. It currently accounts for 8 percent of total employment.