Nov. 19 – “I am proud to receive this award because it reaffirms the commitment of the Meliá Hotels International Group in the social field. We were the precursors of a huge project that I hope we can repeat soon in our country,” commented Palmiro Noschese, the Italian managing director of Meliá Hotels International, who accepted an award in Paris for the “6 Star Hotel” project, implemented in collaboration with the Associazione Italiana Persone Down. The objective is to integrate people with disabilities in the work environment, generating a positive impact for society. The Worldwide Hospitality Awards reunite every year in Paris the best experiences and projects in the tourism sector worldwide. This year, the MKG publishing group, European leader in the tourism sector, wanted to recognize the commitment of the Meliá Roma Aurelia Antica hotel for its integration of people with disabilities in the workplace by giving the hotel the Worldwide Hospitality Award for “Best Social Responsibility Initiative.” The prize was awarded for showing that disability is never an obstacle but an added value. With the project “6 Star Hotel”, Meliá Roma Aurelia Antica offered work experience to three boys and three girls suffering from Down syndrome, who embarked upon a training program in the hotel for three months. They worked alongside the staff, performing daily tasks, in a real training program that sought to create a genuine chance at integration. The result was an enriching and invaluable experience for both the trainees and the whole staff alike.
