TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Eliana Satkin

News From Around The Web

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Australia: The Year of Accessible Tourism

Unlocking the economic power of accessibility: Queensland’s $12 million initiative is transforming tourism through accessibility grants and improved marketing representation, paving the way for businesses to tap into a $13.5 billion market.

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Sesame Place San Diego receives Autism Certification

Sesame Place San Diego is leading the way in autism accommodations. Discover how their certified autism center renewal and expanded amenities is helping them reach neurodiverse visitors.

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Adventure Sports; Diving for People with Disabilities at the Red Sea

Red Sea Global uses “commercial good sense” in creating Project Aurelia to ensure Red Sea is one of the most inclusive destinations in the world.

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US Airlines Improve in their Handling of Wheelchairs

US airlines’ handling of mobility devices in 2023 exposed! Ranked by reports of mishandling, you may be surprised by which carriers are falling short and who’s making improvements.

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Hyatt Outlines Support for Neuro Diverse travelers

Hyatt’s game-changing survey reveals how hotels can cater to neurodivergent travelers, enhancing every step of their journey from booking to check-out.

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Question of the Month: Where Have You Seen the ROI for Accessibility?

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Robert Kneschke | Stylephotographs

Aside from “The Right Thing to Do,” where have you seen a return on investment (ROI) for accessibility? With the increasing attention on accessibility in the media and the proliferation of assistive technology, innovations, and amenities, disability awareness today is at a similar stage as sustainability was five years ago. We reached out to several members of the Destination A11y Club—a consortium of DMOs committed to proactively promoting accessibility—to learn about the ROI they are experiencing.

Answers from Destination A11y Club Members:

Courtney Cacatian, Executive Director, Visit Charlottesville/Albemarle:

  • “Designing and promoting accessible experiences allows communities to access new audiences. These audiences may already be aware of your destination and want to travel there but may be unaware of how. By answering how, you’re addressing that demand and growing word-of-mouth through an often-close-knit community.”

“Designing and promoting accessible experiences allows communities to access new audiences. These audiences may already be aware of your destination and want to travel there but may be unaware of how.”

Ed Harris, President and CEO, Visit Lancaster:

  • Top 5 Reasons for Accessibility ROI:
    1. More respect from internal staff members and community stakeholders.
    2. Positive feedback and relationships with elected officials.
    3. Compliance with ADA regulations.
    4. Positive PR and media placements.
    5. Attracting a more diverse population.

Patrick Harrison, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Tampa Bay:

  • “At the end of the day, this is a money business, so hotel bookings are the ROI. The number of travelers with accessible needs is enormous, and they want to travel and spend their money.”

Brett Laiken, VP Marketing, Visit Florida:

  • “Seeing people comment on social media about accessibility in Florida is what I look for. And obviously, bookings through Wheel the World.”

Jason Holic, Sr. VP, Operations and Community Engagement, Experience Kissimmee:

  • “Ultimately, we’d like to measure ROI in incremental room nights. Until we can achieve that through co-ops and partner booking data, ROI comes from additional partner engagement opportunities, co-op campaign matching funds, and destination marketing thought leadership.”

Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Myrtle Beach:

  • For stakeholders (hotels and attractions):
  • A massive reduction in the risk of costly lawsuits.
  • A significant untapped market of people with disabilities who represent potential customers and employees. Accessibility opens the door to serving this segment and boosting market share.
  • Consumers with disabilities offer high value due to their strong ties to their community and increased likelihood of repeat visits.
  • Investing in accessibility demonstrates commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility, enhancing brand image and fostering customer loyalty.

Julie Pingston, President and CEO, Visit Lansing:

  • “I spoke twice at the Michigan Tourism Conference this week on accessibility, sharing our ‘why’ for developing and promoting accessibility:
    1. It connects to our organizational goal of being welcoming to all.
    2. We’re addressing the needs of an emerging market for travel to our destination.”

Patrick Lennon, VP Marketing, Visit Fairfax:

  • “As part of our accessibility involvement with the DAC, we reached out to various county and city manager departments to learn about the features and services they’ve developed for people with disabilities. This has resulted in new relationships with city staff, where their accessible features are now being promoted through us.”

Visit Myrtle Beach Launches “Traveling the Spectrum”, a groundbreaking docu-series

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This movement for changing the world of autism travel needs your help. Please share.

Traveling the Spectrum is a groundbreaking docu-series that highlights the inspiring vacations of three families, each with a member on the autism spectrum. Currently, 87% of families with members on the spectrum don’t travel due to a lack of sensory-friendly options. That’s an untapped audience of millions in America alone who are not traveling to any destination. Traveling the Spectrum is set to change this narrative — but it needs your help. Starting a movement is only possible with collective support.

87% of families with members on the spectrum don’t travel due to a lack of sensory-friendly options.

Traveling the Spectrum is looking for a groundswell of support to show streaming services that this is the type of content that people want to watch. Please take a moment to watch the trailer. If you find yourself moved by the Traveling the Spectrum mission, please give it a like and a share. Visit the website and voice your support for this series to be picked up by streaming services so this message can travel worldwide.

This show goes beyond destination marketing. It’s a series that dives into the essence of humanity. Lend your support to get this series noticed by streaming platforms. This is the start of a ripple effect that can change the way the world views people with autism.

Traveling the Spectrum is more than just a project —it’s a mission to make a difference – and difference that can only be made together.

Please join us by sharing one or all of the following with your teammates and to your social networks:

Accessibility Champion: Kathleen Harvey

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Kathleen Harvey - Destination British Columbia | LinkedIn

Manager, Visitor Services Destination BC

Q1. When did you begin focusing on accessibility in your destination and what was the impetus for wanting to make your destination more accessible?

Accessibility has been an important consideration in British Columbia for many years, including during the lead up to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games hosted in Vancouver and Whistler, BC. Destination BC began focusing on accessible tourism in earnest in 2018 when we launched our three year Accessible Tourism Framework and Action Plan, followed by our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Strategy. This focus continues now in support of the BC Accessibility Act in 2021. We believe that everyone, regardless of their abilities, should be able to participate in BC’s tourism experiences.

I’m personally driven to help create a more accessible destination because of a young family member with complex cognitive and physical disabilities. Traveling with my nephew has underscored the significance of establishing a destination that embraces inclusivity and hospitality for all individuals, regardless of their abilities. Fostering an environment where everyone feels welcomed and secure while traveling and experiencing tourism offerings is a goal I’m passionate about.

“I’m personally driven to help create a more accessible destination because of a young family member with complex cognitive and physical disabilities. Traveling with my nephew has underscored the significance of establishing a destination that embraces inclusivity and hospitality for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.”

Q2. What are your main responsibilities and tasks in your organization?

As the Manager of Visitor Services, my role involves overseeing a program that assists more than 130 community Visitor Centres across British Columbia. Additionally, I take charge of project managing Destination BC’s accessibility initiatives, lending a hand in executing our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategy, and facilitating our Accessibility and Inclusion Committee. 

Q3. Aside from budget, what are the most difficult obstacles or barriers that you face regarding the advancement of accessibility in your destination? What initiatives have you undertaken to improve accessibility in your destination, and which are you most proud of?

Raising awareness and providing education are crucial steps in making the tourism industry more accessible. We need to spread the word about the importance of accessibility and equip businesses with the knowledge and resources they need to make meaningful changes. By fostering understanding and sharing best practices, we can create a more inclusive tourism experience for everyone.

Providing educational resources for our tourism industry and incorporating accessible tourism information on our consumer-facing website are essential steps towards inclusivity. Together, these efforts contribute to a more welcoming and inclusive tourism experience for everyone and I am very proud to have been part of the team at Destination BC to make this happen.

Q4. Who do you follow? Name an organization/company/individual you look to for ideas or inspiration.

The Rick Hanson Foundation, Spinal Cord Injury BC, Destination A11y members and the passionate members of our Accessibility and Inclusion Committee.

Q5. What are your plans around accessibility in 2024?

We are committed to further strengthening the capacity of the tourism industry by equipping stakeholders with additional tools and resources to foster inclusion. Through collaboration with partners across the tourism ecosystem, government agencies, and our Accessibility and Inclusion Committee, we aim to identify, eliminate, and prevent barriers that hinder accessibility. Moreover, we strive to showcase the commendable accessibility initiatives undertaken by tourism businesses and individuals throughout British Columbia. Together, we can create a more welcoming and inclusive tourism landscape for all.

9 Reasons DMO’s Should Budget for TravelAbility Summit

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You don’t have to unlock the secrets to thriving in the billion-dollar accessible travel market on your own.

Here are nine ground-breaking ways TravelAbility makes a difference for your DMO.

  1. Explore Opportunities: Dive into the burgeoning market: baby boomers aging into a disability.
  2. Education: Engage in workshops to understand legal requirements and the value of inclusivity in travel.
  3. Understand the Ecosystem: Get ahead of the curve by learning about the evolving accessible travel ecosystem.
  4. Learn About Services: Tailor your offerings by discovering essential services for travelers with disabilities.
  5. Networking: Forge valuable connections with industry leaders and peers. 
  6. Innovation: Embrace new technologies that are removing barriers in travel accessibility. 
  7. Competitive Advantage: Stand out by catering to the millions of travelers with disabilities.
  8. Marketing Opportunities: Broaden your reach with strategies that appeal to all, including those with accessibility needs. 
  9. Best Practices: Learn from the best to enhance service quality and customer satisfaction.

Ready to make a difference? Register now and be a part of shaping the future of travel! https://travelability.net/summit/register/

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Your name and email will never be sold to third parties.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Your name and email will never be sold to 3rd parties.