The Ascott Limited (Ascott), has entered into a global partnership with leading health and security services company, International SOS, offering guests easy access to a comprehensive suite of complementary services, including Telehealth, Telecounselling and Travel Security Advisory. The partnership will enhance the lodging owner-operator’s commitment to improving the overall wellness and safety of its guests as part of its ‘Ascott Cares’ programme.
The comprehensive ‘Ascott Cares’ services focus on seven key areas, including social distancing protocols, contactless & paperless solutions, wellness & security, hygiene & cleanliness, ‘Go-Green’ initiatives and staff & vendor relations. Guests who require telehealth assistance or telecounselling can call the property’s front desk from their apartments, to be connected to International SOS Assistance Centres. Ascott’s guests will be able to speak directly with health experts at any of the 27 Assistance Centres located across the world. The centres operate 24/7 assisting in 99 languages and dialects. Depending on the guest’s medical condition, the health experts can also provide medical advice or refer guests for teleconsultations, in-person consultation or telecounselling within their global network of over 90,000 accredited medical service providers, including clinics and hospitals.
Mr. Kevin Goh, CapitaLand’s Chief Executive Officer for Lodging and Ascott’s Chief Executive Officer, says: “Ascott’s global partnership with International SOS further elevatesour standard of care and hospitality. As the world’s first hospitality company to provide global access to telehealth, telecounselling and travel security advisory services for our guests, it provides greater peace of mind that they can receive on-demand quality care from medical and security experts, and feel safe when they stay with us. These value-added services, as part of our enhanced ‘Ascott Cares’ commitment, are particularly crucial amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. With the need for social distancing and uncertainties from travel restrictions, our guests can have immediate access to these services from the comfort of their apartment.”
International SOS will also provide travel security advisory and assistance to Ascott’s guests to better prepare them for new environments. This includes advice on security matters, including the choice of safe ground transportation, as well as verification and updates on in-country incidents, such as street protests, natural disasters, travel restrictions and security threats. With International SOS’ assistance, Ascott can advise its guests on the latest developments, implement in-property security protocols and safeguards, or work with International SOS to arrange travel security solutions to further assist its guests. For more information on telehealth, telecounselling and travel security advisory services, please see Annex A.
Dr. Pascal Rey-Herme, Co-Founder, Group Medical Director of International SOS said: “This collaboration is a world-first in the hospitality industry, and also marks an important step towards recovery for the sector. Working closely with the Ascott team, we want to reassure guests that their safety and well-being is a top priority, with robust, 24/7 global assistance for all travellers – whenever and wherever they are in the world. As the global environment continues to evolve, we will work with Ascott to adjust and adapt to best practices in managing their guests’ health and safety concerns.”
In the Middle East & Turkey, guests can conveniently access a wide range of health and safety services across 10 operational properties managed by Ascott, including: Ascott Park Place Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; Ascott Sari Jeddah, Ascott Tahlia Jeddah, Citadines Al Salamah Jeddah, Spectrums Residences Jeddah,Ascott Corniche Al Khobarand Ascott RafalOlaya Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Somerset Panorama Muscat in Oman; Somerset Al Fateh in Bahrain; and Somerset Maslak Istanbul in Turkey.
Mr. Vincent Miccolis, Regional General Manager, Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India says, “The COVID-19 pandemic has completely revolutionised the global hospitality segment. The industry has rapidly evolved to enhance its safety and hygiene standards in response to the pandemic, and Ascott continues to constantly lead with innovative ways to ensure our guests feel safe and secure, further enhancing their experience at our properties. The innovative partnership with International SOS will improve the operational efficiencies of our properties enabling us to serve our guests better and we look forward to offering them the highest standards of hygiene and safety.”
In response to the global fight against COVID-19, Ascott unveiled its innovative ‘Ascott Cares’ programme in May 2020, assuring guests and staff of its stringent cleanliness and hygiene standards to ensure guest health and safety. In July 2020, Ascott reinforced its measures with a partnership with Bureau Veritas to provide independent audits and certification for the hygiene and safety standards of Ascott properties worldwide. The comprehensive protocols of ‘Ascott Cares’ comply with the World Health Organization’s standards and local regulations and have been rolled out to Ascott properties globally.
For more information on ‘Ascott Cares’, please see Annex B or visit: www.the-ascott.com/ascottcares
