Ascott provides support to global communities during Covid-19

CapitaLand’s wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited, is leveraging its lodging expertise and resources to provide a safe haven for its guests worldwide, while extending its support to local government agencies and philanthropic organisations in the fight against Covid-19. 

 

Ascott has stepped up to provide a home away from home for healthcare workers, returning nationals, guests who are affected by border closures or city lockdowns, migrant workers and others who have been stranded.

 

Kevin Goh, chief executive officer, Lodging, CapitaLand Group and chief executive officer, The Ascott Limited, said: “In these unprecedented times, Covid-19 has changed the way the world lives tremendously. As a responsible lodging company, Ascott has stepped up to support various countries’ national efforts to combat Covid-19. We are lending our lodging expertise to provide safe abodes to our guests as well as affected communities who need alternative accommodation. For over 30 years, our guests around the world have made Ascott their home away from home, and we want to continue to make sure that home is the safest destination when they travel. Our doors and hearts remain open, and we look forward to welcoming our guests home.”

 

In an endeavour to offer moral support to the community in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, Ascott rolled out its ‘Message of Hope’ campaign through its social media channels. The campaign, which runs in both English and Arabic, and in three phases during the global pandemic, holistically reinforces the global message to stay safe at home during these uncertain times, while looking forward to better times.

 

Extending its community support online, Ascott also launched the #StayHomeWithAscott campaign to rally the global community to curb the spread of Covid-19 by staying home. With the support of CHF, the philanthropic arm of Ascott’s parent company CapitaLand, Ascott has pledged a total of $200,000 through the campaign. The donation will go towards Save the Children’s food security and assistance programmes, to support about 12,000 underprivileged children affected by Covid-19.

 

Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s regional general manager for Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India, said: “We are taking the necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all our short and long stay guests across our properties.  We also want to go the extra mile and uplift their spirits during these challenging times, through small gestures such as fruit baskets, treats and thank you notes to guests, as well as added positivity through the ‘Message of Hope’ campaign, reminding them that there is light at the end of this tunnel. We urge the community to do their part and stay at home until the situation is under control.  We look forward to welcoming current and new guests again at our properties, providing them with the best possible stay experience.”

 

As part of the ‘Message of Hope’ campaign in the UAE, where Ascott has two operational properties - Ascott Park Place Dubai and Citadines Metro Central Dubai - Ascott organised a blood donation in March and rallied their partners to donate 67 packets of blood to Dubai Blood Donation Centre, helping to ensure sufficient supply in the city’s blood bank.

 

Ascott’s properties in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and Turkey have placed increased efforts on ensuring guests experience all the home comforts they need in a safe environment, and that staff are working in a safe and sanitised setting. The properties - Ascott Corniche Al Khobar, Ascott Sari Jeddah, Ascott Tahlia Jeddah, Citadines Al Salamah Jeddah, Spectrums Residence Jeddah, Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh, Somerset Panorama Muscat, Somerset Al Fateh Bahrain and Somerset Maslak Istanbul - alongside the Dubai properties, are continuously adhering to heath protocols provided by the local government and health authorities, to ensure the safety and well-being of all.

 

Lene Chalhoub, a guest currently staying at Ascott Corniche Al Khobar, became stranded due to the sudden travel restrictions imposed globally. She said: “I was on a business trip to Al Khobar and got stuck when the airport was shut down. My stay since then has been so safe and the way everything has been handled at the property has been outstanding. I remember asking for extra space to keep the food refrigerated and the general manager immediately offered to send me an extra fridge. Ascott Corniche Al Khobar will definitely remain my home away from home whenever I’m back here.”

 

Ascott’s other global initiatives include:

 

• In Singapore, Ascott, with support from CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), responded swiftly to provide complimentary accommodation for an old age home’s care staff who were displaced from their homes by their landlords.

 

• In Philippines, to support healthcare workers, Ascott donated over S$7000 worth of medical supplies comprising 3,950 surgical masks, 4,000 pairs of gloves, 211 sets of personal protective suits and 1,500 shower caps to six medical facilities.

 

• In Indonesia, Ascott will donate S$1,500 worth of groceries and daily essentials to about 50 underprivileged Muslim families and about 40 children from an orphanage in Jakarta, to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming fasting period as Covid-19 continues to impact the city.  Over 80 complimentary meals were provided to taxi drivers in the city, alongside the distribution of over 550 complimentary lunch boxes to healthcare workers across nine cities in Indonesia.

 

• In France, Ascott is supporting healthcare workers and has provided over 1,500 complimentary room nights in key cities like Paris and Marseille. In addition, Citadines Austerlitz Paris will provide 50 rooms exclusively for healthcare workers from a public hospital within walking distance from the property.

 

• In China, Ascott continues to care for healthcare workers, offering 630 complimentary nights in appreciation of their hard work. The initiative is available in 31 lodging properties across 19 cities from May 1 to December 31. - TradeArabia News Service