Where Are the Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Hotel Management?

Abstract

Ethnic minorities are underrepresented in hotel management. Ethnic minorities are not excluded from all management positions, just those that are considered crucial to the business. With inclusionary closure, ethnic minorities are given access to management positions in peripheral departments instead of those with key financial responsibilities. Demographic and career history data from 5549 hotel managers in 552 properties are used to access inclusionary closure as a process of new-racism and the creation of racialized jobs. Ethnic minorities had the least representation in positions that are critical in hotel operations, and we found evidence that job racialization, or the channeling of minorities into peripheral management positions, may be occurring in hotel management. This study's findings challenge the perceived progress of ethnic minorities in hotel management in the post-Civil Rights era in the specific context of hotel management.

Key Words:

• Minorities
• racialization
• hotel
• management
• closure
• diversity