The short film was produced together with the accessibility specialist group of the German Hotel Real Estate Working Group. It uses practical examples to show which structural measures are necessary and sensible so that people with disabilities can move around freely and safely.
"As an inclusive company, we plan all new buildings to be barrier-free and adapt our existing properties to the needs of our guests and employees," says Erik Friemuth, CEO of Premier Inn Germany. "We receive valuable input not only from our cooperation partners, but above all from our dedicated team members."
Travel for all - more freedom on the road
As part of its Force for Good sustainability program, Premier Inn strengthens the interests of minorities through exchange within various network groups. The Accessibility group campaigns for the interests of people with disabilities. For example, cooperation was initiated with the "Travel for All" information and evaluation system.
This label, which is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, is awarded to hotels that are allowed to call themselves barrier-free following a thorough assessment by external experts. "Travel for All" is not only a label for guests with mobility impairments, but also for those with hearing or visual impairments as well as cognitive impairments, which they can use as a guide when planning their trips. Currently, 16 of the around 60 hotels operated by Premier Inn throughout Germany are certified with this label.
Jobs for people with disabilities
The cooperation with Embrace, a Europe-wide association of inclusive hotels, also stems from a suggestion by the Accessibility network group. Since December last year, Premier Inn has been a supporting member of the association, which currently includes 46 businesses with a total of over 1,000 jobs for people with disabilities that are subject to social insurance contributions. Among other things, they exchange information with Embrace about redesigning rooms and buildings, but also about legal requirements, contacts with employment agencies and inclusion offices as well as applying for funding or compensation for reduced performance.
Premier Inn Germany currently employs 20 people with severe disabilities in its 60 hotels and at the Frankfurt Support Center, including two team members in wheelchairs and one employee with Down's syndrome, who work as receptionists at a specially designed counter in Leipzig, Cologne and Munich. With a view to the proportion of disabled people, the company is aiming for a long-term quota of five percent. / red