Understanding Neurodiversity in Travel: Insights from Hyatt's Survey

Understanding Neurodiversity in Travel: Insights from Hyatt's Survey

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on April 29, 2024

Hyatt, in partnership with KultureCity, a leading nonprofit focusing on sensory accessibility and acceptance for individuals with invisible disabilities, conducted a survey to delve into the needs of neurodivergent travelers and caregivers. The findings shed light on how hotels can make travel experiences more seamless and inclusive for this demographic.

Key Findings

Booking Process: Nearly 70% of caregivers and over half of neurodivergent travelers expressed willingness to disclose their neurodiversity during the booking process to receive tailored care.

Visuals for Preparation: More than 50% of neurodivergent respondents expressed a desire for enhanced property visual layouts, such as 3D virtual tours and floorplans, to ease navigation.

Room Selection: Both neurodivergent travelers and caregivers emphasized the importance of flexible room selection, with over 60% believing that pre-assigned rooms could enhance the check-in experience.

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Pre-Arrival Communication: While email remains the preferred communication method, 30% of neurodivergent travelers expressed a desire for phone calls about upcoming stays, particularly among neurodivergent business travelers.

On-Property Accommodations: Digital check-in/check-out services were favored by over half of neurodivergent travelers, and many expressed interest in sleep gadgets and wellbeing spaces to enhance their comfort during stays.

Hyatt's Response

Training and Awareness: Hyatt is committed to training its staff to better understand and accommodate the needs of neurodivergent guests. This includes offering courses to increase understanding and inclusion and expanding these programs to more properties.

Visual Enhancements: Hyatt is exploring the addition of 3D room tours to its websites to help neurodivergent travelers prepare for their stays.

Room Flexibility: Guests can request specific room types and locations through Hyatt's digital platforms, and the company is focused on enhancing its digital products with accessibility in mind.

Personalized Communication: Hyatt offers various channels for personalized pre-arrival communication, including phone, chat, and social media platforms.

On-Property Accommodations: Hyatt is expanding its offerings to include sleep gadgets and sensory aids, aiming to provide a more comfortable experience for neurodivergent travelers.

Through these initiatives, Hyatt aims to create a more inclusive environment for neurodivergent guests, rooted in its purpose of caring for people so they can be their best. As they continue to learn and evolve, Hyatt remains committed to working closely with expert collaborators to make improvements throughout the guest journey.


The Tivoli Hotel, Chattarpur Earns Prestigious Five-Star Certification

The Tivoli Hotel, Chattarpur Earns Prestigious Five-Star Certification

By Hariharan U

Published on December 7, 2025

Tivoli Hospitality Group has announced a proud milestone as The Tivoli Hotel, Chattarpur, receives the prestigious Five-Star Certification from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Achieving this honour within just a year of its opening highlights the hotel’s strong focus on luxury, service excellence, and world-class hospitality.

Expressing his happiness, Mr. Amit Sood, CEO, Tivoli Hospitality Group, said, “The Tivoli celebrates this honour with immense happiness and pride. The certification further motivates us to move ahead with greater dedication. This recognition strengthens our vision to offer greater hospitality and luxury services to our guests.”

The hotel met the Ministry’s criteria across accommodation quality, guest comfort, hygiene standards, dining choices, trained staff, and the overall guest experience. Its rooms, front-office services, modern amenities, safety systems, and F&B offerings align with the benchmarks required for India’s five-star classification.

Speaking on the achievement, Mr. Akshay Gupta, Executive Director, Tivoli Hospitality Group, shared that the brand’s journey has been shaped by the leadership of Mr. Rohit Gupta, Chairman of Tivoli Hospitality Group. He said, “Under the guidance of Mr. Rohit Gupta, seasoned hotelier and the Chairman of Tivoli Hospitality Group, The Tivoli is transformed from a pioneer banqueting brand into a leading name in luxury hospitality, weddings, MICE and large-format events. His long journey into the sector followed by deep understanding towards guest expectations and evolving hospitality trends has helped the brand immensely to meet every aspect with precision.”

The Tivoli Hotel offers 132 beautifully designed rooms, including a grand Presidential Suite and Junior Suite. Each room is crafted with modern comforts, premium interiors, and attentive service, making the hotel ideal for business travellers, leisure guests, and wedding attendees.

The property also features five state-of-the-art banquet halls and three sprawling outdoor lawns that can host intimate gatherings to large celebrations for up to 3,000 guests. Each venue comes with customisable layouts, advanced AV systems, dedicated bridal suites, and a skilled events team.

Dining at The Tivoli Hotel brings a mix of global cuisines, with restaurants such as Zuun offering Pan-Asian flavours, Blue Grotto presenting a Mediterranean-inspired poolside experience, and Aria serving global favourites through its all-day dining concept.

As Tivoli Hospitality Group continues to expand its presence across North India, this five-star recognition further strengthens its vision of delivering premium hospitality and building its legacy as one of India’s respected luxury hotel brands.


Eight Continents Expands in Africa With New Ayurveda-Led Island Resort in Tanzania

Eight Continents Expands in Africa With New Ayurveda-Led Island Resort in Tanzania

By Hariharan U

Published on December 6, 2025

Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts has strengthened its presence in Africa with the launch of its newest luxury island retreat Signature Collection by Eight Continents, Mafia Island, Tanzania. The resort welcomed guests from 1st December 2025, marking another milestone in the brand’s rapid expansion across Africa’s top leisure destinations.

After its recent growth in Zanzibar, this new opening brings Eight Continents’ blend of nature-led luxury and culturally rooted hospitality to one of East Africa’s most untouched coastal landscapes. Located in Utende, the property allows seamless access to the stunning Mafia Island Marine Park, giving travellers front-row views of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and vibrant marine life.

The company shared that the move to Mafia Island was driven by the island’s ecological purity from pristine beaches to rich biodiversity that makes it one of the region’s most beautiful yet lesser-explored destinations.

Designed as an Ayurveda-led island sanctuary, the resort features Ocean View and Garden View Chalets, each with private verandas offering peaceful tropical or coastal views. Guests can enjoy Ayurvedic therapies, curated marine activities, and wellness-centric experiences that blend Swahili culture with modern comfort.

Food at the resort celebrates sustainability and authenticity. The culinary programme highlights traditional Swahili cuisine, made using fresh, locally grown produce, along with a selection of global dishes crafted for international travellers.

Speaking about the opening, Haninder Sachdeva, CEO, Eight Continents Hotels and Resorts, said, “Mafia Island represents a defining chapter in our Africa journey, one where we are not merely opening a new resort, but expanding the very idea of what purposeful hospitality can be. We believe that destinations with deep ecological and cultural value deserve experiences crafted with equal intention. This property is proof of that philosophy. By merging Ayurvedic wellness with coastal serenity and thoughtful design, we’re offering a retreat where travellers can reconnect with nature and rediscover balance. With every new opening, our commitment stays constant: to shape destinations responsibly, uplift local communities, and build a portfolio ready for the future of global travel.”

The launch of the Mafia Island resort is a key step in the brand’s wider Africa strategy. With tourism in the region growing rapidly, Africa remains central to Eight Continents’ long-term vision. With Mafia Island joining its Signature Collection and a new property planned in Dar es Salaam, the brand continues to focus on thoughtful, experiential, and globally aligned hospitality.


Appu Hotels Signs 20-Year Agreement with Marriott for Le Méridien Chennai & Coimbatore

Appu Hotels Signs 20-Year Agreement with Marriott for Le Méridien Chennai & Coimbatore

By Hariharan U

Published on December 4, 2025

Appu Hotels Ltd. has announced a major milestone with the signing of a long-term 20-year agreement with Marriott International for its flagship properties, Le Royal Méridien Chennai and Le Méridien Coimbatore. The renewed partnership reinforces Marriott’s commitment to both hotels and sets a strong, stable future for the brand in Tamil Nadu.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Avneet Singh Bhutani, Vice President – Asset Management, AP & EC, Marriott International, and Dr. Palani G. Periasamy, Chairman of Appu Hotels Ltd. The ceremony took place at Le Royal Méridien Chennai and included media interaction, a champagne toast, and a reaffirmation of Marriott’s global standards across both properties.

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Strategically located between the airport and the city’s business hubs, Le Royal Méridien Chennai features 240 rooms, multiple restaurants and bars, a large banquet area for up to 1,500 guests, an outdoor pool, and a range of modern facilities.

Under the new agreement, the hotel will move into its next phase of upgrades. Planned enhancements include refreshed guest rooms, improved public areas, updated banquet spaces, and elevated service touchpoints to match Marriott’s latest global benchmarks.Le Méridien Coimbatore, A Premium Five-Star Favourite

Situated in Neelambur, Le Méridien Coimbatore offers 254 rooms and suites, contemporary interiors, multiple dining options, a spa, outdoor pool, fitness centre, and business/event facilities.

The hotel already meets Marriott’s updated global standards and continues to be a top choice among travellers. Its strong guest reviews for comfort, service, and convenience make it a preferred stay near Coimbatore Airport and key business districts. The new agreement ensures consistency and long-term stability for the property.

A United Vision for Tamilnadu: The 20-year deal signals a clear long-term strategy for both hotels. Guests can expect reliable service, upgraded amenities, and a consistent international experience across Chennai and Coimbatore. Together, the properties strengthen Appu Hotels’ position as a leading player in Tamil Nadu’s luxury hospitality landscape — catering to business travellers, leisure guests, weddings, and large-scale events.

Quotes from Leadership, Dr. Palani G. Periasamy, Chairman, Appu Hotels Ltd., said, “This 20-year agreement with Marriott International reaffirms our faith in the global standards of hospitality. With Le Méridien Coimbatore already operating as a premium facility and Le Royal Méridien Chennai entering its next phase of upgrades, we are committed to offering world-class experiences while honouring our legacy in Tamil Nadu’s hotel industry.”

Avneet Singh Bhutani, Vice President – Asset Management, AP & EC, Marriott International, added, “Our continued partnership reflects Marriott’s confidence in the vision and legacy of Appu Hotels. We look forward to delivering consistent, high-quality hospitality across both Le Méridien properties in Chennai and Coimbatore, enhancing guest experiences, and strengthening Marriott’s footprint in South India.”

About the Properties

Le Royal Méridien Chennai and Le Méridien Coimbatore, owned by Appu Hotels Ltd., operate under Marriott International’s Le Méridien brand. Both hotels blend international hospitality with regional warmth, offering luxury stays, modern amenities, business and event facilities, and dependable guest service.

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