ASCOTT AND SG ENABLE SIGN PARTNERSHIP TO ELEVATE DISABILITY INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

Singapore, 20 June 2024 – The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the lodging business unit wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SG Enable, the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore, forging a long-term partnership to elevate disability inclusion and set new standards for accessible accommodation in the hospitality industry.

This partnership is the first of its scale in Singapore’s hospitality industry, spearheading a range of initiatives that will deliver inclusive stay experiences through design and programming across Ascott’s properties in the country. It will also serve to foster workforce diversity and contribute to capability-building, not only within Ascott but also throughout the hospitality sector. To uplift and upskill the wider industry, Ascott and SG Enable will jointly develop and deliver essential resources and disability inclusion training tailored for the hospitality industry at the Ascott Centre for Excellence (ACE), Ascott’s global hospitality training centre dedicated to developing human capital for the hospitality industry. In an industry first for Singapore, the insights gained from the joint initiatives will be used to develop a comprehensive global playbook in 2025 to steer the disability inclusion efforts of Ascott’s properties around the world.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Guest-of-Honour Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development. He said: “From accessible accommodation to inclusive hiring and upskilling opportunities, today’s MOU paves the way for greater inclusion and diversity in the hospitality industry. 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.”

Ms Beh Siew Kim, Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer, Lodging, CapitaLand Investment and Managing Director, Japan and Korea, Ascott, said: “Marking 40 remarkable years in hospitality service, Ascott has embarked on a transformative journey to go ‘unlimited’ for our guests and associates. 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.”

“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. 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,” said Ms Ku Geok Boon, Chief Executive Officer, SG Enable.

At today’s signing ceremony, three persons with disabilities and their family members were also invited to share their experiences with the accessibility features of Ascott Orchard Singapore, following a stay at the property. The three groups of guests affirmed that Ascott Orchard Singapore was easy to navigate and wheelchair friendly, complemented by the warm hospitality of the service team who had gone through disability management training by SG Enable. Please refer to the Annex for more on their stay experiences.

Operating since 2017, Ascott Orchard Singapore is the country’s first serviced residence to be certified Universal Design Mark Platinum by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority for its user-friendliness. It features sheltered walkways seamlessly linked to the adjacent mosque and shopping mall, complemented with clear and informative signs that are accompanied by braille and tactile maps. Accommodation options include accessible guestrooms catering to wheelchair users as well as dual-key units that facilitate multi-generational living. All its public toilets are equipped with accessibility features, the swimming pool deck is accessible via a ramp and a Kipsu messaging platform is on hand to facilitate communication with guests who have hearing loss or visual impairment. In addition, part of its service crew has completed SG Enable’s disability management course, with more associates slated to undergo the training by year-end.

The partnership between Ascott and SG Enable will support the development and deployment of Ascott’s disability inclusion policies, frameworks, suite of products, services and offerings in Singapore, creating inclusive and accessible lodging experiences in its properties locally. Key initiatives will centre around the five pillars of the MOU: Inclusive Spaces, Inclusive Programmes, Inclusive Digital Interfaces, Inclusive Hiring and Inclusive Training.

In the second edition of its annual sustainability report published recently, Ascott has detailed key achievements under each pillar of Ascott CARES: Community, Alliance, Respect, Environment, and Supply Chain for the year 2023.

In the area of inclusivity under the Respect pillar, Ascott became the first major accommodation operator to collaborate with Australia’s national accessibility body, Accessible Accommodation. Over 80% of Ascott’s associates in the country have completed training to better understand and implement measures to meet the requirements of people living with disabilities. In Malaysia, Ascott redesigned workspaces and introduced visual aids and communication tools to support a graphic designer with a hearing disability in her work and facilitate seamless communication within her team.

Ascott is one of the first hospitality groups to attain GSTC-Committed Status by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) for the successful adoption of GSTC Criteria, with accessibility being a key criterion. More details of Ascott’s sustainability achievements can be found in The Ascott Limited 2023 Sustainability Report published on www.DiscoverASR.com.

"Ascott Orchard was as beautiful as its people. I got to enjoy comfort within luxury because Ascott stepped forward to champion accessibility! We hope many hotels will join them and say, ‘We want you here’.” – Carole Ann, 47, a wheelchair user with physical disability

Carole at the wheelchair-accessible reception counter.

Carole exploring the ramp access to the swimming pool deck.

"Thank you Ascott for your warm hospitality and great assurance in making my stay safe and comfortable at Ascott Orchard! A very good collaboration between Ascott and SG Enable. Ascott Orchard is a great place for persons with disabilities." – Bernard Chew, 54, who has visual impairment

Ascott associates guiding Bernard around the property.

Bernard exploring the use of in-room amenities with a mobile application that aids persons with visual impairment.

“The staycation experience was pleasant and memorable. The people we met were nice and always ready to help." – Megan Tang, 19, who has an intellectual disability

Megan exploring the sheltered walkway that is linked to the adjacent shopping mall.

An Ascott associate showing Megan the in-room amenities.