The Ascott Limited has formed a long-term partnership with SG Enable, the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore, to raise the standard of accessible accommodation in the hospitality industry.
The partnership, which is the first of its scale in Singapore’s hospitality industry, will focus on the delivery of inclusive stay experiences through design and programming across Ascott’s properties in the country and deliver essential resources and disability inclusion training tailored for the hospitality industry at the Ascott Centre for Excellence (ACE). The insights gained will be used to develop a playbook in 2025 to steer the disability inclusion efforts of Ascott’s properties globally.
“Marking 40 remarkable years in hospitality service, Ascott has embarked on a transformative journey to go ‘unlimited’ for our guests and associates,” said Ascott Chief Financial and Sustainability Officer, Lodging, and CapitaLand Investment and Managing Director, Japan and Korea, Beh Siew Kim.
“To create ‘unlimited good’ as a positive changemaker, we are deepening our commitment to championing inclusivity under our Ascott CARES sustainability framework.
As a leading global hospitality company headquartered in Singapore, our vision is to strengthen Ascott’s culture of care and respect by cultivating a more inclusive operating environment for both guests and associates.
“We are thus delighted to find a like-minded partner in SG Enable to jointly establish new standards for accessibility in the hospitality sector and positively impact the future of travel. This MOU will mark an integral step towards our goal of scaling up Ascott’s disability inclusion efforts globally.”
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the two organisations at an official ceremony and witnessed by Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development, Eric Chua.
“From accessible accommodation to inclusive hiring and upskilling opportunities, today’s MOU paves the way for greater inclusion and diversity in the hospitality industry,” Chua said.
“Partnerships such as this – between corporates like Ascott and SG Enable, the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore – are crucial for driving positive change in our community.”
At the ceremony, three persons with disability and their family members were invited to share their experiences of the accessibility features of Ascott Orchard Singapore – the country’s first serviced residence to be certified Universal Design Mark Platinum by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority for its user-friendliness.
All three groups said the property was easy to navigate and wheelchair friendly and commended the warm hospitality of the service team who had gone through disability management training by SG Enable.
“We are thrilled to embark on this groundbreaking partnership with Ascott. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in our journey of championing disability inclusion and accessibility,” said SG Enable Chief Executive Officer, Ku Geok Boon.
“The MOU marks the first of its scale in the hospitality sector, and we look forward to creating inclusive spaces, building inclusive capabilities, and fostering a culture of respect and empowerment for all. Together, we can pave the way for a more accessible and inclusive future, in Singapore and beyond.”