Skip to main content
Two children building sand castles on the beach

Miami, Florida-July 31, 2023

Karisma Hotels & Resorts Launches Autism Concierge

ACHIEVES AUTISM DOUBLE-CHECKED CERTIFICATION FOR SELECT RESORT BRANDS IN MEXICO AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

MIAMI, FLORIDA (JULY 31, 2023) – This week, Karisma Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Autism Double-Checked, is pleased to announce the introduction of the world's first-ever Autism Concierge. providing a dedicated contact for all autism-related questions and serving as an extension of the Autism Double-Checked comprehensive three-part training program.

 

Karisma Hotels & Resorts is the first hotel group to offer an Autism Concierge, which encourages guests traveling with a child with autism or adult guests with autism to ask about specific needs through a concierge contact found within the resort's visitor guide. Guests looking for support as they plan their vacation can contact the Autism Concierge by emailing [email protected].

 

"We continually work to exceed our guests' expectations by adapting ourselves to their needs," said Daniel Lozano, Vice President of Operations at Karisma Hotels & Resorts. "In addition to ongoing training, this added resource will assure guests that we take their concerns seriously and that we want them to feel at home at our resorts."

 

Every member of Karisma Hotels & Resorts staff has completed a number of Autism Double-Checked courses in "Assisting Guests with Autism” and all staff that are in contact with guests have been trained in the specific situations that guests with autism may face during their stay. In 2023, Karisma Hotels & Resorts also plans to introduce temporary door alarms (available to guests upon request). These alarms will allow guests to vacation with peace of mind knowing their loved ones are safe and secure. These initiatives exist as part of Karisma Hotels & Resorts overarching inclusion efforts.

 

Autism Double-Checked  was created to prepare the travel industry to better serve guests with autism through industry-specific and job-specific training for all public-facing staff. It also assists the autism community to confidently select travel opportunities that best fit their needs. The autism community in the U.S. is approximately 25 million people who, according to Autism Double-Checked, are eager to travel and are brand loyal to companies that understand their needs. The training includes three stages: general basic training for all staff, specific training per department, and the development of a site-specific visitor guide to assist parents, caregivers, and visitors with autism. Once a hotel has completed all three phases, it obtains the "Autism Double-Checked" Certificate, indicating that it is ready, willing, and able to welcome families and guests impacted by autism.

 

"Inclusion is only possible if you truly understand the population you wish to include," said Autism Double-Checked Co-Founder and CEO Alan Day. "It takes specialized training to understand and address the specific needs of travelers with autism, and we’re proud to help bring understanding and compassion to our travel industry partners. Karisma Hotels & Resorts has been truly dedicated to undertaking this training and pursuing their vision of diversity and inclusion."

 

In Mexico, staff at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, Margaritaville Beach Resort Riviera Cancún, Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancún and in the Dominican Republic, staff at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana and Margaritaville Beach Resort Cap Cana, have now completed the more intensive stage of training that allows them to be certified as Autism Double-Checked.

 

For more information about Karisma Hotels & Resorts or for questions about an upcoming stay, visit karismahotels.com/austimdoublechecked or email the Autism Concierge directly at [email protected].

 

###

 

About Karisma Hotels & Resorts

Karisma Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning luxury hotel collection that owns and manages an impressive portfolio of properties in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Property brands include Margaritaville Beach Resorts, part of the Island Reserve® Inclusive Collection by Karisma; Margaritaville St. Somewhere by Karisma; Azul Beach Resorts by Karisma; and Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts. Properties have been honored with the industry's top accolades, including Conde Nast Traveler's "Top 100 Hotels in the World," Conde Nast Traveler's "Top 30 Hotels in Cancun," TripAdvisor® Traveler's Choice "Best Hotels for Romance," and AAA's "Five Diamond Award" and "Four Diamond Award." Karisma Hotels & Resorts is committed to employee and community support while delivering authentic experiences to guests, receiving worldwide recognition for its compassionate and creative approach to hospitality management and product innovations.

 

About Autism Double-Checked

Autism Double-Checked provides an online autism awareness training and certification program that has been specifically designed to make autism inclusion simple and profitable for the travel industry - airlines, hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Based in Connecticut, the organization was founded in 2015 by two lifetime travel professionals and leading experts on traveling with autism who are also parents to special needs children. Studies show that one in 36 children, in the United States, is impacted by autism (per CDC 2023). Most families with an autistic child avoid taking family vacations due to concerns about their child’s reaction to all the unfamiliar stimuli they will confront outside of their routine ‘comfort bubble’ at home. Autism Double-Checked works with its travel industry partners to ensure training and resources are in place to give this travel segment confidence that they are included and welcomed as travelers.

Media Inquiries + Contacts

USA

For media inquiries originating from the US & Canada please contact
Alliance Connection

Malaika Hollis
Director of Public Relations

Phone:
804-244-1175

MEXICO

For Media Inquiries originating from Mexico please contact:
Premier Worldwide Marketing

Mariel Lora
Sr. Manager, Public Relations

Phone:
305-445-1077

Stories from Karisma

View AllArrow Right Icon
a waitress serving dinner

May 20, 2024

Le Chique Earns Coveted Michelin Star

Le Chique, the culinary gem nestled within Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancún, Mexico, has proudly been awarded a MICHELIN Star, solidifying its status as one of the world's premier dining destinations. The unveiling of MICHELIN's Guide to Mexici 2024 marks a historic moment, with just 157 exceptional restaurants across various categories being celebrated for their culinary excellence and placing Le Chique among the select few restaurants in the all-inclusive hotel sector to receive such an honor.

Family having breakfast at the beach

April 29, 2024

KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS AND AUTISM DOUBLE-CHECKED INTRODUCE THE FIRST-EVER AUTISM PASSPORT

Karisma Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce it is the first hotel collection to implement the Autism Passport in partnership with Autism Double-Checked 

Pool

January 1, 2024

Karisma Hotels & Resorts announces expansion plans

With the opening of new hotels, as well as a number of strategic partnerships, the hospitality giant is working to further redefine the hospitality industry.