Exclusive: Quest announces Accessible Accommodation partnership
The partnership means over 1,200 Quest team members will participate in the new Tourism Accommodation Inclusion Training Program
Quest Apartment Hotels has entered into an exciting new partnership with The Accessible Group following discussions around the growth of accessible tourism during last week’s VTIC Vision Summit.
Kerry Williams, founder of the Accessible Group (Accessible Accommodation and Accessible Experiences) revealed the news to AccomNews.
“I’m delighted to announce that Accessible Accommodation has established a new partnership with Quest Apartment Hotels, which continues to be a popular accommodation choice for our community,” she said.
“The ongoing commitment of both Quest business owners and the brand to elevate the guest experience for everyone continues to raise the bar for the industry by setting an example for other companies to follow.”
This partnership means over 1,200 Quest team members will participate in the Tourism Accommodation Inclusion Training Program, which is a two to a three-hour online course that Accessible Accommodation developed with Spinal Cord Injuries Australia.
Read more about the training partnership in AccomNews HERE
Quest General Manager Sales & Marketing, Anthea Dimitrakopoulos proudly told us: “As the leading serviced apartment provider, the Quest brand has evolved and thrived over 35 years through fostering mutually beneficial relationships with our guests.
“We’re incredibly proud of our new partnership, and we’re pleased to hear the wonderful feedback from Accessible Accommodation community members who’ve chosen to stay at our locally owned and operated properties because of the attractive combination of accessible rooms at great value in convenient locations.”
Ms Dimitrakopoulos said: “What attracted us to this partnership was our shared beliefs on how accessible rooms don’t need to be clinical, they can be stylishly appointed and safe places to stay, and the need to expand our understanding of the nuance around accessibility.
“At Quest we believe everyone deserves a place to be themselves, so we’re investing to maintain our market-leading position in the provision of the very best spacious, comfortable and accessible accommodation.
“We’re committed to improving our offering in the short term by upskilling our teams through inclusion training, and in the future by integrating and embedding accessible design even further into our accelerating growth pipeline of new hotel builds.
“From the moment our guests book their accessible accommodation Quest are doing all we can to ensure they are confident in the experience they receive until they check out.”
Kerry added: “I will also be working personally with Quest to lend my expertise around incorporating additional accessible design aspects into their new builds and retrofitting existing apartments to ensure their accommodation continues to make guests’ stays effortless for everyone.
“Whilst adhering to relevant building codes, I continue to listen and learn from Accessible Accommodation’s 30,000-strong community in regards to what they want to see in accessible accommodation across the board to inform my recommendations”
Kerry agrees that an accessible bathroom doesn’t need to look like a hospital! She says it can be elegant, stylish, and accessible.
And, she offers some simple do’s and don’ts to help all accommodations enhance accessibility and therefore improve travel experiences for guests with disabilities:
- A fold-down shower seat is required by building codes but less than half of our followers say they can use it. Instead, provide a freestanding shower chair for under $150 to ensure guests with varying mobility needs have more choice.
- The placement of crockery, usually above the kitchen bench top is another bugbear according to our members so make sure all essentials are within easy reach.
The consulting side at Accessible Accommodation continues to grow, with a focus on seamless, beautiful accessibility for everyone.
Read: Quest Collingwood set to open March 31
Our latest AccomNews print issue is available now. Read it HERE
Mandy has over 17 years of accommodation and tourism industry writing experience and is Editor of AccomNews & Resort News, Publisher of SchoolNews & Director of Multimedia Pty Ltd. She is a retired registered nurse with a 25-year NHS career that followed a few unforgettable years in hotel housekeeping.
