In Southeast Asia’s fast-evolving hospitality scene, Archipelago International is quietly and powerfully reshaping what it means to be inclusive.
As the region’s largest hotel operator, a home to over 300 properties under brands like Aston, The Alana, Quest, and favehotel, Archipelago is going beyond service excellence to champion a future where opportunity belongs to everyone.
This commitment begins at the heart of its workforce. Across Indonesia, from Jakarta and Yogyakarta to Gorontalo and Sidoarjo, individuals with disabilities are being welcomed into key roles in front office, food and beverage, finance, housekeeping, and engineering. Among them are individuals with dwarfism, autism spectrum conditions, hearing and speech impairments, paraplegia, and vision loss—brought into the fold not as a gesture of goodwill, but as valued members of a team built on purpose and capability.
“For us, excellence isn’t just about what guests experience. It’s about who helps create that experience,” says John Flood, CEO of Archipelago International. “When we build a workplace where everyone can contribute, we strengthen our teams and create real impact.”
Inclusive employment here isn’t a box to tick. It’s a process supported by job-specific training, one-on-one mentorship, and company-wide education that fosters empathy, confidence, and collaboration. Accessible work environments are standard. Training is tailored to the strengths of each individual. And leadership is deeply committed to ensuring everyone has the tools to grow.
For Archipelago, compassion and integrity aren’t taglines—they’re practice. The company’s drive to empower people with disabilities stems from a belief that hospitality is ultimately about care: for guests, for colleagues, and for the communities where it operates.
Those values are echoed in its hiring approach, which prioritizes purpose-driven recruitment over token inclusion. When a team member joins Archipelago, they’re offered more than a job. They’re offered a career path, the chance to build self-reliance, and a place where their contributions are seen and celebrated.
This inclusive culture is a natural extension of Archipelago’s wider mission to deliver more than expected. And as the company continues to grow, it invites others; talented individuals of every ability, to be part of that mission.
Discover opportunities at archipelagohotels.com/careers.
