Question: Mercure Hotel in Vientiane, Laos belongs to the AccorHotel Group. Since Mercure belongs to the group, it automatically follows and need to comply with the corporate responsibility code of conduct, rules and values that the AccorHotel Group have. Within those responsibilities is it said that AccorHotel Group ensures that its operations and premises cannot beMercure Hotel in Vientiane, Laos belongs to the AccorHotel Group. Since Mercure belongs to the group, it automatically follows and need to comply with the corporate responsibility code of conduct, rules and values that the AccorHotel Group have. Within those responsibilities is it said that AccorHotel Group ensures that its operations and premises cannot be used for prostitution or any activities connected with this activity. Here is where the problem begins. Vientiane in Laos is one of Mercure’s location that is known to be an emerging sex destination. Due to present poverty all around the country, people are pushed to prostitution which is considered to be the most profitable among other job possibilities. The fact that prostitution is officially illegal in Laos, does not make any difference and solely indicates seriousness of the problem. Due to the corruption and circumstances present in the country, it still available and seen to be practiced. The most common place where Lao women are searching for their target is in the hotel lobbies, bars and nightclubs. Since bars in Vientiane are closing early, nightclubs and hotel lobbies are the most popular place to find a local “phuxao bolikan”, so called service women. It is especially famous for foreigners who want to try the nightlife of the Lao’s capital. Mercure is being located in the most crowded nightlife area of Vientiane and is surrounded by various bars and nightclubs. Mercure by itself has a night club just at its fingertips. At the same time it is located close to the Wattay International Aiport and Mekong River tat makes it a lucrative option for business travellers of the neighbouring countries that are: China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma. it is also because of Vientiane strategic location in the centre of Indochina and South-East Asia. Furthermore, some of their unfavourable reviews on TripAdvisor, mentioned the issue of prostitutes inside the hotel.
Therefore, the question is how Mercure hotel can still remain following their code of conduct while being positioned in a nightlife city area and having already signs of prostitution problem in their premises?
What strategies might you at some point endorse to follow? The strategy that I would endorse following is to keep on continuing with the hotel business in Laos. Regardless, the housing is supposed to make their methodology that they wouldn’t allow pr…View the full answer
