SPAIN/INTERNATIONAL. Leading travel food service group Areas this year doubled down on its commitment to promote diversity across its teams. In its efforts to boost recruitment and retention, as well as to make Areas a great place to work while positively impacting the community, the company issued an updated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) statement to coincide with World Diversity Day on 21 May.
That statement reads: “Just as we carefully blend ingredients to achieve the perfect taste, we cultivate a workplace that mirrors the diversity of the communities we serve—promoting fair opportunities for all and building an inclusive culture where differences are valued.”
Areas Chief Corporate Officer Montse Adán says that promoting a strong DEI culture is not just about internal messaging but about presenting the modern-day face of Areas to the world.
She says: “The various pillars of diversity within Areas are critical in helping us provide a unique experience to every traveller: diversity of age, gender equality, support for employees with special needs and multiculturalism.”
Summarising the strategy, Adán adds: “Areas strives to build a workplace that embodies the richness of our global community. We are actively working to enhance the diversity of age within our organisation, recognising the value that different generations bring to the table. By fostering an environment that values the experiences of employees from various age groups, we aim to harness a broad range of perspectives, contributing to a dynamic and forward-thinking workplace.”
Click on the video for more on the Areas DEI strategy
She adds: “Areas is determined to eliminate gender stereotypes and biases by providing equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender. We are resolute in our efforts to promote women into management positions.
“Areas is committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring equal opportunities for women to excel in leadership roles across our company. We recognise that diversity in leadership enhances creativity, innovation and overall business success.
“Additionally, we provide support for employees with special needs, ensuring an inclusive work environment that values the unique skills and perspectives that each individual brings. Through these specific efforts, Areas strives to lead by example, fostering a workplace where diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just values but integral aspects of our corporate identity.”
That diet of diversity matters in a group that spans over 1,900 restaurants and shops in 11 countries.
Multiculturality as a cornerstone of our organisational ethos,” says Adán. Recognising that our workforce is composed of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, we actively promote an environment where every employee feels valued and included. Our commitment to supporting employees of different cultural backgrounds goes beyond mere acknowledgment; we embrace cultural diversity as a source of strength and innovation.”
In addition to its internal efforts Areas actively partners with external groups focused on uplifting under-represented and marginalised communities. These collaborations highlight a dedication to advancing diversity and inclusion both within and beyond the group.
“Our goal is to extend our positive impact demonstrating our belief that true commitment to diversity encompasses both internal practices and external initiatives.”
At the core of the DE&I strategy are the Areas Values, which shape interactions with team members and communities. These are translated into ‘actional practices’ that guide culture and decision-making at all levels.
Those pillars influence daily actions as follows:
- Gender equality: “We are breaking down barriers to ensure equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender. This is particularly evident in our recruitment efforts and in promoting women into leadership roles. We strive to create an environment where diverse perspectives drive creativity, innovation, and success.”
- Cultural diversity: “With a global workforce spanning different regions, we embrace the richness of multiculturality by fostering inclusivity at all levels. Daily interactions celebrate this cultural diversity, ensuring that every employee feels seen, heard and valued. We ensure our policies promote equal opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds.”
- Diversity of age: “By enhancing generational diversity, we create opportunities for employees of all ages to collaborate, share knowledge, and innovate together. Embedded in our recruitment practices, we ensure that every contribution is valued.”
- Inclusion of employees with special needs: “We support employees with special needs by fostering a workplace culture that values the unique talents each individual brings. This commitment ensures that inclusivity is reflected in both our policies and everyday interactions.”
The principles outlined above go beyond internal practices, says Areas. For example collaborations with external organisations that advocate for underrepresented and marginalised groups solidify Areas’ role as an agent of change in diversity and inclusion.
“By leading with these values, we not only create an equitable workplace but also elevate the travel experience for every client,” says Adán. “Through our DE&I strategy, we aim to make diversity a lived value, seamlessly integrated into how our company and its people act every day. It’s this commitment that enables us to shape a workplace—and an industry—where differences are celebrated, and inclusion is a shared responsibility.”
On how Areas can take its next steps to deepening the impact of its DEI culture and practices, Adán points to a recent ‘DEI Gap Assessment’ across all Business Units, evaluating the related organisational programmes, policies and initiatives.
Based on this assessment, which identified key strengths, gaps and opportunities, Areas uncovered varying levels of maturity across each business unit.
Adan highlights commitment across the group to improving DEI actions. She adds: “Each Business Unit is dedicated to implementing the DEI action plan defined and tailored to their maturity level. Additionally, we are focused on sharing our internal best practices and success stories among employees worldwide to showcase, raise awareness and engage everyone in Areas’ DEI efforts.
“In 2025 and beyond, Areas also aims to further embed diversity, equity and inclusion into its strategy, culture, and operations, ensuring these values remain a guiding force across all aspects of the company. Our focus will be on expanding existing initiatives, monitoring specific DEI KPIs, and introducing new actions to foster a more inclusive environment.
“Our commitment to our clients in travel hospitality is made possible by our DE&I strategy as we continue to shape the future of travel.” 
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.
Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.
