Today, Travelodge, one of the UK’s largest hotel chain’s that operates over 590 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain, has appointed Disability Positive to advise on policy and training programmes to support customers with lived experience of disability and long term health conditions, and their families.
Travelodge is the UK’s first budget hotel chain to appoint a dedicated disability charity.
Cheshire based charity, Disability Positive, started in 1992 and is majority led, managed and staffed by people with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions. The charity has over three decades of providing support, services, opportunities and a voice to people with lived experience of disability. Disability Positive is also well known for influencing positive change in Government policy.
Annually Travelodge welcomes millions of customers across its hotels and some of these customers have lived experience of disability or a long-term health condition. Disability Positive will provide advice supporting Travelodge to further evolve and enhance its customer journey, helping to make travel accessible to everyone. The charity will undertake a review of the full Travelodge journey for customers with lived experience of disability and long term health conditions and their families. This includes searching for a Travelodge hotel, booking a room, checking in and out and their experience in the room, bathroom and dining areas to help Travelodge enhance the customer experience.
Craig Bonnar, Travelodge, Chief Executive said: “At Travelodge we are future facing, committed to putting our customers, colleagues and planet at the heart of our business in order to make a positive difference that really matters. We are delighted to appoint Disability Positive to help us to create a better experience for our customers living with disability and long term health conditions and their families.”
Lynne Turnbull, Disability Positive, Chief Executive Officer said: “Disability Positive is committed to upholding the rights of people with lived experience of disability and long term conditions whilst removing the disabling barriers within society. Disabled people should be valued and have opportunities to participate fully within their communities, including accessing and being employed in hospitality. Disability Positive is delighted to be working with Travelodge as policy consultant, to support positive change to enhance the customer experience, and move us closer to achieving our vision of a world that is Disability Positive.”
Travelodge’s other charity partners include the NSPCC and The British Heart Foundation. To date, with the help of its staff and customers, Travelodge has raised over £650,000 for The British Heart Foundation.
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