The Chief Executive Officer of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort has been placed on leave for making a sexist comment during a March 9 B.C. Tourism and Hospitality Conference in Richmond.

Vivek Sharma, Fairmont CEO since April 2019, was addressing the conference and while speaking about International Women’s Day asked the women in attendance to stand and offered praise. He then reportedly told them to “go clean some rooms and do some dishes.”

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort March 18 issued the following statement: “We would like to address the inappropriate comments made by the CEO at the recent British Columbia Tourism and Hospitality Conference. The Board of Directors is taking this matter seriously and has hired a third-party consulting firm to conduct an independent review into the matter. The employee has been placed on immediate leave.

“Any discrimination is not acceptable and Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse atmosphere, where people feel safe to work, visit or conduct business with.”

Following fallout from the comment, Sharma resigned from the boards of British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) and Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), as well as the BC Chamber of Commerce.

He also issued an apology.

“I am very sorry and deeply regret the insensitive and inappropriate comments I made at the start of last week’s BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference. Not only did my words cause distress for several women in the audience but I also offended many other delegates.

“My unacceptable remarks did not set the intended tone for the conference and consequently placed TIABC and BCHA’s board and staff in a very difficult position. I am also mindful that what I said does not reflect the views of either TIABC or BCHA, both of whom have worked hard to advocate for the tenets of equality, inclusion, and diversity in our sector. I’ve spent many years working alongside these reputable organizations to help our industry grow and flourish. As a result of my recent conduct, I have let down valued colleagues who love and care about me.

“Since last Wednesday I have had multiple conversations with delegates, industry leaders and associates, as well as a time for sobering reflection on what transpired at the conference. As such, I have chosen to step down from the boards of both TIABC and BCHA effective immediately.

“This decision is not to hide from my major mistake or leave the industry that I truly love, but rather to see how, through my remorse, I can use this opportunity to learn and to contribute to making the tourism and hospitality sector a safer place and one that advances the values of equality and opportunity for women, youth, Indigenous peoples, immigrants, people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups in our society.

“As much as my actions caused harm, industry leaders like me have the opportunity to make amends if given the chance,” Sharma stated.

The Board of Directors for both BCHA and TIABC also issued a statement acknowledging “the impact of last week’s incident and have taken decisive action that includes wholeheartedly committing to additional steps to elevate and empower women in tourism and hospitality. We look forward to communicating these actions over the coming months. Importantly, the past few days have sparked important conversations that have forced us to confront the responsibility we each hold in creating a fair and equitable industry, free of bias. We invite you to join this conversation and connect with us.”

e-KNOW file photo

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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