With 4.4 million Australians living with a disability, Quest Apartment Hotels is leading the way in accessible accommodation.

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Tuesday, 3 December, Quest highlights its commitment to creating inclusive travel experiences that make every stay matter.

This commitment has seen Quest honoured with the Innovative Collaboration Award at the prestigious 2024 HM Awards. The accolade recognises Quest’s partnership with Accessible Accommodation, a collaboration that is paving the way for inclusive travel across Australia.

Quest has become the first major accommodation provider to adopt Accessible Accommodation’s three-tiered rating accreditation system, setting a new standard for inclusivity in the tourism industry. With 86 Quest properties across Australia now accredited, this initiative empowers travellers with disabilities to book with confidence, knowing they have access to accurate and transparent accessibility information.

The three-tiered accreditation system, recognised as a benchmark in the tourism sector and utilised by the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse, allows prospective guests to quickly assess a property’s accessibility. Each Quest property’s accreditation seal is clearly displayed on the accessible rooms bookable on the website, making it easier than ever for guests to plan their stay.

This commitment to accessibility delivers tangible benefits for guests while reinforcing Quest’s leadership in creating inclusive travel experiences.

Business Owner of Quest Springfield Central, Luke Frederick, believes his business has only benefitted from taking the property beyond mere compliance and making it truly inclusive for guests at every point of their stay, with accessible room occupancy increasing by nearly 50% this year.

“It’s important to us because we believe everyone should be welcomed equally. Having the benefits to be able to offer accessible accommodation and provide options for guests to suit their needs when they visit our area is fantastic for our property, while creating an effortless stay is at the heart of what we’re about at Quest Springfield Central.”

In Victoria, Quest Burwood East is the very first non-boutique operator in the country to receive a Tier-3 rating, providing the highest level of accessibility, which indicates the room has amenities to support a person who is unable to lift themselves, like a Hi-Lo Electric Bed and a hoist.

Accessible Accommodation Founder Kerry Williams says Quest recognises the need for a collaborative approach in meeting the growing community’s need for accessible rooms.

“We created this accreditation system so guests with accessibility needs can find peace of mind when booking their stay. Travellers with access needs require transparent, detailed and reliable information on accessibility features of tourism operators,” said Kerry. “When a hotel displays our Accreditation Seal, it signals that their accessible features have been thoroughly vetted by accessibility experts, eliminating anxiety that so many of our followers experienced in the past.”

“Quest Business Owners are eagerly integrating new features to provide delightful and accessible travel experiences, while their hotels are setting new standards for comfortable, stylish and modern accessible rooms that don’t feel like hospital accommodation.”

Quest GM of Brand and ESG Anthea Dimitrakopoulos says the partnership with Accessible Accommodation represents the evolution of the network’s commitment and action over the past two years to upskill, improve and implement better accessibility at every level across the Quest network.

“Accessibility is not just about meeting standards; it’s about opening doors — both literally and figuratively — to experiences, independence and dignity for everyone. At Quest, we believe that travel should be an inclusive journey that empowers individuals and strengthens communities. Our commitment to providing accessible accommodation ensures that no one is left behind and every guest feels truly welcomed and valued.”

“There’s a tremendous appetite among our Franchise Partners to accommodate greater accessibility in their properties. They recognise not only the social impact but also the business potential in meeting the needs of this growing market. We’re proud to support our franchised Business Owners with resources, training and actionable steps to deliver meaningful improvement to inclusive travel.”

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