Cultural Turn Around at Club Med

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CULTURAL TURN AROUND AT CLUB MED Club Med’s culture before 2000 Club med is founded by Gerard Blitz, a world class athlete in swimming and water-polo who have thought the idea of ‘vacation village’ under the sun. Club Med's history and culture is associated with a relaxed atmosphere, rough and ready amenities and an open-minded lifestyle. He thought that all Europeans deserved vacations on the seaside and under the sun. His concept was defined as the antidote against civilization. It’s built up with a culture of rich symbols, rituals and myths. Villages were isolated from their local environment in order to break from day-to-day life. To enhance socialization (new acquaintances and communication) - amenities were limited: tents, then huts, and with shared bathrooms; Gracious Members (GM) had to ban professional jargons and social origins; and, at the restaurant, there were only 8-people table. Club med also banned money and implemented a payment system based on a plastic pearl-necklace. Gracious Organizers (GO), were the keystone of the whole system and were expected to maintain a permanent festive atmosphere through shows, village dances and sport competitions. Employees were personally chosen by the founders as children in their image and maintain family relations with them, which helps maintain the organizational culture. Before 2000, Club med was successful because of a very diverse destinations; festive atmosphere; emphasis on building relationships; GMs and GOs cooperation and coordination of effort; quality services and good accommodations. However, the overall economic crisis; terrorist threats, rapidly emerging of competitors offering low prices, and the like have affected Club Med. Moreover, there has been an incremental culture change that’s gradually happening. Club Med had welcomed all kinds of people who want to get away from their

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