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a&o Hostels wins Inclusive Workplace Award at IWTTF Europe 2026
Amsterdam, 17 September 2026 – a&o Hostels, Europe’s largest hostel chain, has won the Inclusive Workplace Award at the IWTTF Inclusion & Diversity in Travel Awards 2026. The award was presented during IWTTF Europe in Utrecht on 16 September 2026 and recognises organisations helping to redefine what an inclusive, equitable and responsible travel industry looks like.
Advancing inclusion across travel and hospitality
The International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum (IWTTF) brings together professionals from across the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors to advance inclusion, equity and positive social impact. Its annual awards celebrate individuals and organisations driving meaningful change across six categories, including inclusive workplaces, resilient DEI initiatives, allyship and inclusive business practices.
The jury commended a&o for demonstrating that inclusion extends beyond the diversity of its workforce and mentioned it "clearly not being approached as a box-ticking exercise, but as an integral part of the organisation’s culture and everyday practices." Across 45 properties in ten European countries, a&o employs 1,417 people representing 106 nationalities. Its award-winning approach centres on three connected principles: employee voice, protection and development.
Oliver Winter, Founder and CEO of a&o Hostels, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from IWTTF. With 106 nationalities represented across our workforce, diversity is part of everyday life at a&o, but representation alone is not enough. Inclusion means listening to people at every level, protecting their rights and making sure everyone has a genuine opportunity to develop.
This award belongs to our teams across Europe, whose perspectives continue to shape our culture and help us live our promise: you are welcome exactly as you are.”
Giving employees a voice
Employee participation was central to a&o’s company-wide renewal of its Mission, Vision and Values in 2026. Colleagues at every level, from General Managers to Front Office, Food & Beverage and Housekeeping teams, were invited to co-author the culture intended to guide the business. Their input directly changed the outcome, including the addition of Trust as a standalone value and the evolution of Responsibility into Ownership.
Turning commitment into protection
Employee voice is reinforced by formal safeguards. In 2024, a&o voluntarily adopted a Human Rights Policy Statement, despite not being legally required to do so under the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. It is implemented through a binding Code of Ethics, a dedicated Human Rights Officer, annual risk analysis and a confidential grievance channel.
Continuing to invest in development and wellbeing
The jury also recognised a&o’s investment in employee development and wellbeing. In 2025, the company invested €378,000 in training and continued education, an increase of 8% compared with 2024. a&o continued to expand its development programme in 2026 and intends to build on this investment further, ensuring that employees have access to learning and progression opportunities regardless of their background, first language or route into the company. Current opportunities include 14 annual Newcomer Training cohorts, a structured route into general management, fully funded management and digital-skills training, and up to ten fully covered mental-health counselling sessions each year.
About IWTTF
The International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum (IWTTF) is an initiative of Women in Travel CIC, a UK-based social enterprise founded in 2017. IWTTF brings the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors together to advance inclusion, while its awards have recognised industry changemakers since 2023. In 2026, the forum and awards took place in the Netherlands for the first time.
