New Thunder Bay hotels 'need' accessible rooms
Having more accessible hotel rooms in Thunder Bay will strengthen tourism industry, official says
The head of a Thunder Bay advocacy group for people with disabilities says new hotels scheduled to open over the next two years offer an opportunity to make the city more accessible for visitors.
The president of Persons United for Self Help Northwest said people with visual, hearing and mobility impairments come to the city as tourists or for medical appointments.
Four hotels being built in Thunder Bay:
- Marriott
- Holiday Inn
- Hampton Inn
- Delta
"All kinds of situations bring people to Thunder Bay," Pat Seed said. "So ... these hotels need to be built with as many of the accessibility features as possible."
Four hotels are scheduled to be built in Thunder Bay over the next two years.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Thunder Bay to become more accessible," Seed said, adding that accessibility goes beyond wheelchair ramps and can include "visual fire alarms ... space between the wall and the bed so that there's enough room for people to turn in a wheelchair ... [as well as] Braille on the doors."
Provincial legislation requires hotels to build a certain number of accessible rooms.
Thunder Bay's manager of tourism reports about 17 per cent of visitors require some kind of physical accommodation, so paying attention to accessibility is good for business.
"I think that's really important from a tourism industry point of view," Paul Pepe said.
"It's how … we make sure that we are regarded ... as an accessible destination."
Pepe said existing hotels in the city do have some accessible rooms, but acknowledged more are needed. He said he expects the new hotels will help with that shortfall.