VIRGIN HOTELS CHAMPIONS INCLUSIVE TRAVEL FOR NEURODIVERSE TRAVELERS

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With a comprehensive inclusivity program in partnership with Autism Double-Checked, Virgin Hotels provide a safe and comfortable stay for neurodiverse travelers and guests with hidden disabilities

YOU LOVE ME, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Virgin Hotelsthe distinguished brand of luxury lifestyle hospitality with locations throughout US and in the UK, deepens its commitment to inclusive travel, offering a variety of programs and services for neurodiverse travelers and those with hidden disabilities. As sensory sensitivities, communication differences and specific needs often dissuade these travelers from embarking on vacations, Virgin Hotels recognize this gap and set out to create a solution that goes beyond awareness.

Virgin Hotels has forged a significant partnership with Autism Double Checkedan organization at the forefront of autism awareness and education in the travel industry, to create extensive training and resources for Virgin Hotels team members who positively impact the guest experience for neurodiverse travelers. oven Virgin Hotels are currently double verified autism certified – Virgin Hotels Nashville, Virgin Hotels New York, Virgin Hotels Dallas and Virgin Hotels Chicago. Virgin Hotels New Orleans and Virgin Hotels Edinburgh will be certified in 2024, marking a certification milestone for the entire brand.

According to Autism Double-Checked, between 25 and 35 million people are parents of one or more children with autism and due to the current travel landscape, 87% of them do not travel or take family vacations.

“There is a significant segment of the population that is missing out on the opportunity to create memories with loved ones because of barriers to accessible travel,” he said. James BerminghamChief Executive Officer of Virgin Hotels Collection. “It is so important to us to provide a safe and accessible space that allows all individuals the freedom to travel with ease and the partnership with Autism Doubled-Checked was an essential step to Virgin Hotels to make a meaningful difference and impact for neurodiverse travelers. With the in-depth training and resources our team members have provided, we can now confidently offer neurodiverse travelers the tools they need to create priceless memories.”

The Virgin Hotels approach to Inclusive Travel for Neurodiverse Travelers

Virgin Hotels’ The commitment to ensuring safe and comfortable accommodations for autistic and neurodiverse travelers is extensive and intentional. The hospitality brand implements impactful practices to make a difference including:

  • hiring: Across Justice of Virgin Hotels, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI), the brand hires individuals who reflect the world and include a variety of racial backgrounds, genders and abilities. Each hotel partners with a local organization specifically to hire neurodiverse individuals.
  • Complete staff training: Every team member at a certified Virgin Hotel property undergoes specialized training in partnership with Autism Double-Checked. They learn how to welcome and assist guests with autism or hidden disabilities, ensuring a respectful and empathetic approach. Additionally, there are future plans to roll out ongoing resources for team members including unconscious bias training and beyond.
  • Visitors Guide: Virgin Hotels provides an Autism Double-Checked visitor guide for guests prior to their stay that highlights the sensory areas in the hotel. Here, guests can find information about quiet areas, potential noise levels and other considerations.
  • Hidden Disabilities: : Virgin Hotels has also implemented a new partnership with Hidden Disabilities to allow teammates and guests to wear a sunflower lanyard that indicates they have a non-visible disability and may need more time, assistance or care.

Accessible rooms

Virgin Hotels’ rooms are uniquely designed to meet the needs of travelers with autism so that all guests can feel in control and comfortable with their accommodations. Important touch points in the room include blackout shades, the ability to control lighting, large walk-in showers with a portable function, two-room design that allows separation and noise control and temporary door alarms to alert fellow travelers in case the bedroom door is open. at any time. The brand is looking forward to launching additional accommodation add-ons included this year.

Hotels with Heart: Reduced rates for practice stays

To further increase accessibility in 2024, Virgin Hotels recently launched Hotels with Heart. This initiative offers reduced rates for practice stays Virgin Hotels with double verified autism certifications. This opportunity offers travelers a significant way to test the waters, ensuring a smooth experience before their actual trip.

Guests interested in booking a trial stay can email [email protected].

For more information on Virgin Hotels diversity and inclusiveness commitment, visit https://virginhotels.com/diversity-and-inclusivity/.

By the way Virgin Hotels
Virgin Hotels is a luxury lifestyle hospitality brand that combines heartfelt service and a personalized hotel experience inspired by the innovation and smart disruption that Sir by Richard Branson in general Virgin Group and pioneer for more than 50 years. Each hotel mixes a passion for food and drink with music, design and culture, blending with the local landscape and providing a vibrant and inclusive environment for travelers and locals alike. The current portfolio includes seven hotels: Virgin Hotels Chicago, Virgin Hotels Dallas, Virgin Hotels Nashville, Virgin Hotels New Orleans, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Virgin Hotels Edinburghand Virgin Hotels New York City New the posts will start in You love me and Denver in 2026, and also the launch of Virgin Residences. In addition, Virgin Hotels continue to explore hotels, conversions, and ground-up developments in Boston, Orlando, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, London and more.

About Autism Double-Checked
Autism Double-Checked believes that travel should be available to everyone, including individuals and families affected by autism. To create this reality, ADC provide online Autism awareness training and certification programs which have been specifically designed to make autism inclusion simple and profitable for all segments of the travel industry, including airlines, hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Based on Connecticut, the organization was founded in 2015 by two lifelong travel professionals and leading experts on traveling with autism who are also parents of children with special needs. Most families with an autistic child avoid taking family vacations because of concerns about their child’s reaction to all the unfamiliar stimuli they have to face outside of their routine “comfort bubble” at home. Autism Double-Checked works with its travel industry partners to ensure that training and resources are in place to give this travel segment confidence that they are included and welcomed as travelers.

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SOURCE Virgin Hotels

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