Lake Thun Blog
Diversity as the key to success
The hotel and catering industry is one of the most diverse sectors in which diversity is a top priority. People from all cultures with different backgrounds and life experiences work together to create unforgettable experiences for guests - the industry is convinced that this diversity is necessary to be and remain successful.
Diversity also plays an important role for us at Hauenstein Hotels. For us, it is not just a buzzword, but an essential success factor. It is important to us that diversity in all its facets can and should be allowed to flourish. We find the opportunities limitless and inspiring at the same time! The diversity of teams promotes innovation and creativity. Different ways of thinking and strengths open up new paths and enable us to create unique added value for our guests.
The hotel group comprises three exclusive 4- to 5-star hotels on Lake Thun, accommodation in idyllic rural settings and six restaurants in the Lake Thun region. Each of the Hauenstein Hotels establishments is unique and versatile in itself. At the Solbadhotel in Sigriswil, for example, the majority of guests come from Switzerland, while the Strandhotel Belvédère and the Deltapark Vitalresort in Gwatt welcome guests from a wide variety of countries. The Burehuus restaurant impresses with its homely, romantic ambience and excellent cuisine. The Grizzlybär adventure land, on the other hand, is a paradise for families with children - an animal park, a huge playground and a large indoor play area. As you can see, the versatility starts here.
This diversity is evident not only among the guests or the services provided. Primarily, it is showcased by the 300 or so employees at Hauenstein Hotels. More than 35 different nationalities are represented, such as Portugal, Germany, Romania, the Netherlands, Thailand, Somalia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Eritrea, Nepal, and numerous "binationals".
For example, Maurits Stürtz arrived from the Netherlands at the end of July 2023 as a complete career changer to take up his position at the Solbadhotel Sigriswil. He is 23 years young, has a degree in civil engineering and now works in service, welcoming guests with his friendly and open-minded manner. He wanted to travel and see more of the world, so he decided to take this job, even though his German is not perfect.
"I enjoy giving guests a good time and fulfilling their needs. The view couldn't be more beautiful," explains Maurits. The hotel team and the management couple Herbert and Luzia Wicki organized everything before his arrival, such as the staff apartment in Gunten. This made it easier for him to settle in and feel at home in Sigriswil.
A new chapter in his life also began for Georgi Nikolaev from Bulgaria when he started working at Deltapark Vitalresort as an all-rounder in housekeeping in April 2021. The fact that his sister was already working at the hotel brought him there, even though he didn't speak German.
The language barrier was not an obstacle for the hotel, but was seen as an opportunity to gain a valuable employee. With the support of a German course organized by Hauenstein Hotels, he was able to continuously improve his communication skills within the team. "My German is still not good, but the hotel has helped me to improve. In winter, I'm attending another course at the Belvédère Strandhotel with other Hauenstein Hotels employees," says Georgi Nikolaev.
Women and men collaborate equally closely, not just in management, but across various departments including reception, the restaurant, the kitchen, housekeeping, and the spa.
A great example of this is Melanie Mani, Head of Housekeeping at Deltapark Vitalresort, one of the largest departments in the entire hotel group. At the age of 29, she manages 30 people in the housekeeping department. There are 23 women and 7 men from 11 different nations and cultures working in the department. Next year, she plans to complete the higher technical college to become head of hotel housekeeping. "The Hauenstein Hotels offer great training opportunities, whether internal or external," explained Melanie Mani. Taking on management responsibility as a young woman is an opportunity that also brings with it some challenges, such as doing justice to the different cultures and characters.
"Not everything always works according to plan. As we, the housekeeping team and the entire hotel, work closely together and support and appreciate each other, we manage to overcome even the biggest hurdles." She is also responsible for training the apprentices. She is particularly proud of the two young men who are learning the profession of hotel specialist EFZ with her and her employees. "It's great to see that we've been able to convince young men to join us and our profession, even in an industry that tends to be dominated by women." One example is Joel Balmer, 18 years young, who will complete his apprenticeship as an EFZ hotel specialist in summer 2024. Why did he choose this profession? "Because the job is varied and exciting. The profession is often underestimated. The team spirit is also great. It's fun to be part of the Deltapark Vitalresort," says Joel Balmer.
In the diverse world of Hauenstein Hotels, the focus is not only on cultural and gender diversity, but also on valuing employees of different ages. In an industry that is often characterized by youthful energy, Hauenstein Hotels relies on the integration of experienced employees. An outstanding example of this is "Fränzi", Franziska Trüssel. She joined the Hauenstein Hotels back in 2016, starting as a service employee at the newly opened Deltapark Vitalresort in Gwatt. In 2018, she then moved to the Burehuus restaurant in Thun, where she worked until her retirement in April 2023. After her official working life, she and her husband took two months to travel north in their caravan and drive 10,000 kilometers. It was already clear beforehand that she was only taking a break from her day-to-day work and would return in September 2023.
Because she was far from tired of the Burehuus. "And neither have we or our guests had enough of her," says Dominik Bieri, Managing Director of the restaurant. That's why Franziska can always be found helping out on Wednesdays and Thursdays. "It wasn't always planned that I would still be working after retirement. But the team, the boss and the guests inspired me time and time again. And that's why I decided to stay on for at least another year," Franziska says movingly and with tears in her eyes, "I just love serving the guests, giving and receiving a warm welcome. It's a very rewarding and appreciative job".
It is precisely such experiences that make diversity tangible. We support such stories and want to offer all employees a working environment in which they feel comfortable and welcome and can fully develop their talents. We are determined to continue promoting this diversity and to take advantage of the exciting opportunities that diversity brings to the hotel industry. Through targeted measures, we create a working atmosphere that is characterized by respect, equality and diversity.
