Manuel Mwangala - Concierge and Bellboy checks in a hotel guest to the Radisson Blu Hotel Arboretum, in Nairobi. Manuel’s training was supported Inclusive Futures. — Photo by © Sightsavers/Joshua Wanyama
Monica Muteti - Pastry Chef Trainee at the Radisson Blu Arboretum Hotel, in Nairobi. Monica, who is deaf, and the chef, found a way to communicate in the kitchen. Her training was supported by Inclusive Futures. — Photo by © Sightsavers/Joshua Wanyama
Business mentors and mentees with disabilities meet as part of Inclusive Futures supported work in Nigeria. — Photo by © KC Nwakalor / Sightsavers

Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is partnering with international development organisation Sightsavers to increase disability inclusion in the hospitality industry, with a focus on countries in Africa and Asia. The partnership will see both organisations act in close collaboration, enabling knowledge sharing to make the world’s hospitality industry accessible to all.

Having already partnered together on the Inclusion Works programme, to increase employment opportunities for young people with disabilities in Kenya and Nigeria, this long-term partnership will see both organisations coordinate action to support the scale up of impact and programme.

With an influential network of member hotels, the Alliance has a wide reach in the hospitality sector, representing over 50,000 properties and 7 million rooms globally. This partnership combines the Alliance’s expertise and global network with Sightsavers’ experience fighting for disability rights for more than 70 years. 

I am delighted to welcome Sightsavers as a partner to the Alliance. This is an opportunity for both organisations to share best practice, align on research and produce tangible solutions to making the hospitality industry more inclusive for people with disabilities. Sustainable Hospitality Alliance CEO, Glenn Mandziuk
Disability inclusion is at the core of Sightsavers’ work, so we are proud to partner with the Alliance to make the hospitality industry more accessible for all. This is a great opportunity for us to collaborate and share knowledge of what really works to improve people’s lives. Sightsavers CEO, Dr Caroline Harper

About Sightsavers

Sightsavers is an international organisation that works in more than 30 low- and middle-income countries to end avoidable blindness, treat and eliminate neglected tropical diseases, and promote equality of opportunity for people with disabilities. Sightsavers vision is of a world where no one is blind from avoidable causes and where people with disabilities can participate equally in society.

Sightsavers holds Independent Research Organisation (IRO) status, making them one of the only international non-governmental organisations to hold this status in the UK. Sightsavers conducts high quality research to address global gaps in knowledge and put research findings into practice by feeding them back into the design of programmes.

In the seven decades since its foundation, Sightsavers has:

  • Supported more than 1.5 BILLION treatments for neglected tropical diseases
  • Carried out more than 8.3 million cataract operations to restore sight
  • Carried out more than 207 million eye examinations
  • Provided over 289,000 skills and advocacy training opportunities for people with disabilities
  • Supported more than 177,000 school years of education for children with disabilities and visual impairment

For more information, please visit www.sightsavers.org.

About the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance brings together engaged hospitality companies and the wider hospitality value chain, along with strategic partners, to address key challenges affecting the planet, people and places around the world.

Through their strategic initiatives and global networks, they develop practical programmes and resources to create a prosperous and responsible hospitality sector that gives back to the destination more than it takes.

Their members represent over 50,000 hotels spanning 270 brands – totalling over 7 million rooms – and include world-leading companies including Accor, Choice Hotels International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, as well as regional brands. Their network also includes other parts of the hospitality value chain, including owners, investors, suppliers, and other partners to further drive joined up action on sustainability, and accelerate the industry on the path to Net Positive Hospitality.

Emily McLeish
Senior Brand and Marcomms Manager
Sustainable Hospitality Alliance