GF Victoria becomes a safe environment for families with autism

The five-star Gran Lujo establishment of GFHoteles adapts its facilities, protocols, and services to offer an accessible, predictable, and safe tourist experience for people on the autism spectrum and their families.

The accessibility and inclusion measures have been audited and endorsed by the Autism Friendly Club team.

GF Hoteles takes a step forward in its commitment to inclusion with the Autism Friendly certification of GF Victoria. The five-star Gran Lujo establishment, located in Costa Adeje, obtains this certification after adapting its entire operation with the Autism Friendly Club organization. With this initiative, the establishment guarantees people on the autism spectrum and their families a comfortable, predictable, and safe holiday experience.

Aware that holiday environments can often be challenging due to sensory overload or lack of predictability, the GF Victoria hotel has structured a hospitality model that places guest needs at the center of all operations. To achieve this, the establishment has activated a comprehensive protocol focused on three key areas covering adapted communication, management of common areas, and personalization of service from the pre-arrival stage.

"Becoming a certified Autism Friendly environment not only allows us to break down invisible barriers in luxury tourism but also to offer families the peace of mind of knowing that we design a predictable, empathetic, and needs-adapted space. We want every guest to feel at home," highlights Sandra Herrera, Commercial and Marketing Director of GF Hoteles.

The real adaptation of the establishment translates into the incorporation of practical tools that facilitate families' daily lives during their holidays. Among the new measures implemented, the availability of sensory kits at reception—equipped with regulating elements—stands out, as well as the use of anticipation guides and adapted maps of the premises to prepare the visit visually. Furthermore, both the hotel facilities and the menus of its gastronomic spaces incorporate specific signage and pictograms that facilitate orientation and understanding of the environment.

The hotel establishment has enabled a rapid check-in service upon arrival to avoid unnecessary waiting times, which mitigates potential situations of stress or sensory dysregulation for guests. Additionally, over 75% of the staff has received specialized training in attending to people on the autism spectrum, enabling them to offer empathetic and adapted attention to the different communication needs that may arise during their stay.

In the words of Alberto Gutiérrez, President of Autism Friendly Club Global, "true tourism excellence consists of ensuring that anyone can enjoy an unforgettable experience. GF Victoria demonstrates that cognitive accessibility can be integrated naturally into a luxury hotel, offering people on the autism spectrum and their families the peace of mind of feeling understood even before their trip begins. We are convinced that initiatives like this will pave the way for the tourism of the future."

As a differential element of this initiative, GF Victoria offers its guests the possibility of completing a detailed pre-trip information form. Through this optional digital tool, families can share details in advance such as the user's specific interests, stimuli that help them relax, or situations in the environment that might cause discomfort. This way, staff can fully anticipate and personalize the experience in the room and common areas.

This certification directly contributes to positioning Tenerife and the Costa Adeje area as a cutting-edge tourist destination, aligned with international trends in sustainability, social responsibility, and truly inclusive tourism. Likewise, this action is included within GF Hoteles' Sustainability Strategy and will become a transversal model that the group plans to extend to the rest of the chain's establishments.