The aim of Thinking Hotels is to create a network of Hotels across the country that are Disability Friendly.
There are two elements to this initiative. The first target is to introduce the Smile & Bridge the Gap concept to as many hotels across the country. Staff and residents will be made aware of what the badge means if they see someone wearing one and hopefully this will lead to positive interaction between all parties. We are currently in talks with the Hotels Federation to determine how we can, jointly, best achieve this target.
The second part of the plan is to introduce Sensory Rooms into hotels across the country. This will allow customers and guests, the comfort of knowing that there is a pleasant, quiet and safe room to go to if the need arises.
We are planning a pilot of this concept in The Ardilaun Hotel, Galway in 2019. We are intending to use the feedback from this pilot to prove to hoteliers across Ireland that not only would this be a good thing to do but that it also makes sense from a business perspective.
