Accessible Travel or Inclusive Travel – What Should It Be?

Martin Heng, former Accessible Travel Manager for Lonely Planet, recently suggested that it is time to evolve our thinking on accessible tourism and to embrace accessibility as one element of inclusive tourism.

In an article for New Mobility Magazine, Heng argued that “using the term ‘accessible tourism’ limits not only the discussion, but also our chances of participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport.” Accessibility is not a one-size-fits-all feature and an accessible built environment alone should not be our goal. He says, “If this travel segment were described as ‘inclusive tourism,’ it would put the focus on making sure travel experiences are able to be enjoyed by as many people as possible (inclusion) rather than on the costly business of installing elevators, ramps and accessible toilets (access).”