Amilla Maldives Set To Become the World’s First Accessibility and Inclusion Certified Resort!

Wednesday 29th of June 2022

The paradisiacal seclusion of the Maldives is well known. However, the sandy island paths, beaches, water jetties, villas, and restaurants throughout the archipelago have for far too long been the sole preserve of visitors who are not disabled, excluding this as a dream vacation spot for visitors who have additional mobility, sensory, or cognitive requirements and would come if they only believed they could.

In order to ensure that everyone can fully enjoy the island, Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences has committed to embracing "total-guest-inclusion" and is undergoing training and assessment from Inclucare, accessible and inclusive hospitality experts. This will improve everyone's confidence and gain them more influence so they can provide exceptional inclusion throughout the entire guest experience.

Officials from Incluscare are auditing the entire resort island to find any physical modifications or adaptations that can be made to genuinely establish Amilla and the Maldives as an inclusive and accessible dream destination for everyone.

Amilla is currently on track to soon become the first resort in the world to receive Inclucare certification. On July 26, the resort will host the Inclucare inauguration ceremony with special guest, Ms. Sophie Morgan, a British TV personality and disability rights activist. This particular day marks both the conclusion of Amilla's Maldives Cultural Week and the Maldives Independence Day. Sophie will be working with Dive Butler International, which is also pursuing Inclucare certification, at Amilla's dive shop to earn her PADI Open Water certification.

“Knowing that disabled people are, for the first time, going to be able to experience the paradise that is the Maldives, and that our needs will be taken care of throughout our stay, is beyond transformative. Amilla is leading the way in inclusive travel, expanding our world as a result, and I’m delighted to be part of this momentous occasion.” Sharing her gratitude towards the inspiring course is Sophie.

Aside from a beach wheelchair, a floating wheelchair for swimming, in-villa phones for the hearing impaired that light up when they ring, and many easy-access ground floor villas with wide doors and accessible showers, Amilla already had all of these amenities.

Deaf-alert systems, adaptive yoga, snorkeling excursions, and sensory touch, aroma, and sound experiences through the jungle for guests with vision impairments are just a few of the new innovations planned at Amilla. Another ground-breaking addition will be "calming spaces," which will control sensory input. They will enable visitors with learning disabilities, dementia, or autism to control their emotions, lowering anxiety and stress.

Director and proud Maldivian, Mr. Gahthan Halleem shared his insight on the course, “This is something close to our hearts; differences are welcome and we aim to make everyone feel at home here. We hope that this collaboration, including the learning by our local team members, will also translate back into the local community.”

Mr Richard Thompson, who suffered a spinal cord injury himself and has spent decades as a leading expert and proponent of "total-guest-inclusion" in international travel, hospitality, and leisure, is the man behind Inclucare. Richard and his coworkers have developed a full ecosystem of services, solutions, and support in collaboration with the team of travel, technology, and education experts at Inclucare. This ecosystem is expected to completely change the landscape of travel opportunities for disabled people, who account for one in six of the world's population.

“Inclucare is the culmination of more than two decades of endeavor in removing barriers to travel freedoms, equity and inclusion for disabled people across the globe. We are therefore excited, proud and privileged to partner, support and certify Amilla’s commitment to creating a genuinely inclusive island paradise in the Indian Ocean. And in doing so, position themselves as world leaders of inclusion in luxury and the Maldives as a destination that now everyone can dream about”. Expressing his enthusiasm is Richard.

[Photos: Amilla Maldives]