It has now been widely publicised that The Dorchester Collection of hotels, owned by the Sultan of Brunei, is being boycotted by a number of celebrities and their supporters after the country introduced a law to punish gays with death by stoning.
Whilst it is not possible to assess the value of business being lost by The Dorchester Collection, there is no doubt that it is having an effect and that many guests will avoid it whilst the boycott – and resulting publicity – is in place. This, in turn, will be affecting the staff of the hotels, and their supply chain.
Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry, the well known British actor and presenter cancelled a planned stay at Coworth Park, in Berkshire, which is part of the hotel group which includes The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane in London as well as hotels in Paris, Geneva, Milan, Rome and the USA.
Fry, of course, tweeted his decision, ensuring that it is widely known and joining a number of celebrities to boycott hotels within the group.
In the USA, shoe designer Brian Atwood and fashion designer Peter Som have mobilised support in the fashion industry for the boycott of the The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles because of their association with the Sultan, and therefore with Brunei’s laws which have been widely condemned across the globe.
Statement from The Dorchester Collection
Christopher Cowdray, Chief Executive Officer, Dorchester Collection has issued this statement:
“While we recognise people’s concerns, we believe this boycott should not be directed to our hotels and dedicated employees. The economic impact of this not only affects our loyal team members but extends to the local community, our valued partners and suppliers.
“Today’s global economy needs to be placed in a broader perspective. Most of us are not aware of the investors behind the brands that have become an integral part of our everyday life, from the petrol we put in our cars, to the clothes we wear, to the way we use social media, and to the hotels we frequent. European companies across the board are funded by foreign investment, including Sovereign Wealth Funds.
“During this challenging time, we have been deeply touched by the tremendous support received from our loyal guests and long standing business partners who recognise that Dorchester Collection hotels are part of the fabric of their local communities. We will continue to honour their iconic heritage and remain committed to our core values of integrity, equality and diversity.”