Caribbean beach resorts are giving new meaning to all-inclusive.
As with most all-inclusive resorts, food, beverages, water sports, and other activities are included in the price, but at Beaches resorts, including two in Ocho Rios and Negril, Jamaica, and one in Providence, Turks and Caicos, members We also accommodate families with children. People who are neurodivergent.
According to a study by the International Board for Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), many families find it difficult to travel with a child on the spectrum, and fewer report taking vacations. That's only 13%.
It's not that these families don't want to travel. The industry just isn't catering to them. An overwhelming 97% of families said they were dissatisfied with travel options for children with autism, and 93% of families said they would take more holidays if there were more autism-certified options.
From sensory guides and designated quiet areas to the Caribbean's first autism-friendly kids camp, Beaches Resorts is the first resort company to be certified by IBCES for autism We strive to help families with children make the most of their tropical vacation.AnyOne other than that.
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“We want all children to feel safe and have families trust that all of these items are in place,” Sandals Resorts International's Entertainment Operations Heather Effs, manager in charge, told USA TODAY. Sandals is Beaches' parent company. “They are traveling from another country, so we try to meet their parents halfway as much as possible.”
first of that kind
After seeing how many nervously diverse families with children were visiting our resorts, Beaches Resorts decided to enhance their services to them. After a vigorous search for appropriate training and certification, this resort company selected IBCCES for its autism certification process.
After about eight months of training, Beaches Resorts became the first resort company to be designated a Certified Autism Center in 2017. It didn't stop there. In 2019, the resort company became the first in the industry to become a Highly Certified Autism Center. More than 80% of his guest relations team members, from those who greet families at the airport to the water sports teams, have received advanced training in interacting with families with children with special needs. In total, approximately 6,000 staff members completed his 40-hour training in areas such as motor skills, sensory awareness, and social skills. Last year, the resort company recertified its qualifications.
“For our guests, we have experts in the field every step of the way, making the whole experience truly seamless,” Effs said.
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How Autism Friendly is Beaches Resort?
Families with neurodiverse children can be accommodated even before they depart for a Caribbean vacation.
At the time of booking, families fill out a pre-travel form to share their child's needs and triggers, such as whether they eat foods with certain textures or prominent visual or social cues. Families also meet one-on-one with the kids camp manager before the trip to discuss their needs and desires. You can also pay for a quick and seamless trip through airport immigration and to your resort or culinary concierge who will provide you with a custom menu for your family.
The resort will then create a personalized itinerary for the family, including scheduled activities such as snorkeling and sailing. Some rooms are less stimulating and are not located near noise.
Beaches Resort also created a sensory guide for each property in 2023 that rates the resort's noisy areas and designated quiet zones on a scale of 1 to 10.
By opting in, families will be greeted at the airport by their very own Beach Buddy, or, in Effs' words, “a fun friend who goes everywhere with their kids.” This person is a certified staff member who will accompany your child throughout their stay for an additional fee. Friends can join in if they attend kids camp or if their parents want a date night.
Each resort also revamped its kids camps during the company's certification process, with age-specific camps available for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and teens. “The reason we have one camping space is to let them know it's a no-judgment area,” Effs said. “We welcome you all.'' The camp area plays calming “ocean'' music and is decorated in neutral colors. There is a sensory play area with toys such as fidget toys and sensory pillows to help calm down.Children can also participate a group or do One-on-one activities with Beaches Buddy.
Efus said some children start out with individual activities and then, once they become more comfortable, join other children in participating in water sports.
meet julia
All of our team members are trained, but we have a special Beaches Resort staff member, Julia, who is especially supportive of children.
You may already know Julia as the first autistic Sesame Street character introduced in 2015, but you can also find her at all three Beaches Resort properties. As long as you stay true to her presentation, you'll never find Julia at a parade, breakfast, or any noisy part of the resort. However, she can be found at arts and crafts sessions and garden walks.
You can also request one-on-one sessions with your child. “Some families come just for Julia,” Efus said.
Don't just welcome, celebrate autism
Last October, Beaches Resorts spent an entire week dealing with nervous guests.
The resort brand hosted its first-ever Beach Autism Inclusion Week for families at its Ocho Rios store (erase (October last year). Adults with disabilities also participated and enjoyed the week-long event, which featured interviews with autism experts, arts and crafts featuring Sesame Street characters, water sports activities, and more.
This year, the second annual Beaches Autism Inclusion Week will be held at the Negril facility at the end of September. All participating families will also receive a Beaches Buddy to accompany them on their vacation.
“We're growing on that front, creating more weekly activities and making it bigger and better to accommodate families with children on the spectrum,” Effs said. said.
Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. Please contact kwong@usatoday.com..
