TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Accessibility

“Slow Travel”:Decelerating the Pace of Travel for the Over 50+ Set?

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Inspired by the slow food movement that began in Italy in the 1980s as a reaction to the proliferation of fast-food restaurants, slow travel started, well, slowly. It has accelerated significantly since the COVID pandemic turned travel upside down and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, the world’s first hotel school, expects it to grow 10% per year.

Slow travel emphasizes staying in one place long enough to personally connect with the local people, culture, food and even music. While purists advocate avoiding touristy spots in favor of locations more off the beaten path, there are no hard and fast rules. You decide where, how, and for what period to apply these basic principles . . .  Read more.

Our Takeaway: The growth in Slow Travel makes perfect sense as the population ages. Longer stays in a singular location require less logistical planning and can be way more relaxing than the “if It’s Tuesday This Must Be Belgium” style of travel.

Innovative Indiana-Based Program Trains People with Disabilities for Hospitality Work

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Hamilton County Tourism, Invest Hamilton County, and JANUS Developmental Services established a new partnership program with the support of the local hospitality industry and American Rescue Plan Act recovery funds provided by the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and Council.

“Disadvantaged workers and the hospitality industry were both communities hit hard by the pandemic,” said Invest Hamilton County President & CEO Mike Thibideau. “This is a high-impact collaboration. Programs like this build community, provide economic opportunity and help fill important roles in our ecosystem.” 

In December 2022, the first cohort began training people with disabilities at the Hampton Inn Fishers with great success. The individuals enlisted in the program provided pre-cleaning services to over 30 rooms in one day. Guests, employees, and hotel management provided positive feedback and multiple individuals are on the path to permanent part-time positions.

 “This program is a win-win for these individuals who could thrive in a lodging community atmosphere, as well as the hotel managers in need of talent to provide the best in hospitality service,” said Hamilton County Tourism President/CEO Brenda Myers. “We appreciate our partners for their innovative thinking.” Read more.

Our Takeaway:  Of the 10 individuals with Down syndrome that were trained, three are currently employed at the Hampton Inn Fishers. These employees have been placed in rotation to work the front desk, the kitchen and housekeeping.  Additionally,  Shepards Hotel in Clemson, South Carolina, which has 40 individuals with Down syndrome, representing nearly 40 percent of their total staff, and the Martigny Boutique Hotel in the Valais region of Switzerland, with 55% of their team members working with disabilities, have built a foundation that supports people with intellectual disabilities.  Given the persistent workforce shortage in hospitality, this may be a powerful new source of talent.

Reimagining Destination Accessibility as Welcoming . . . All Means All

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“Several years ago, I was hired as a strategic research consultant by a leading European tourist destination wanting to refocus and reposition their image by capitalizing on long-term, sustainable trends in travel that my team had identified. A key concept I put forward was – accessibility for all visitors – and I advised strongly to the destination not to characterize consumers or people with disabilities (PwD) as ‘niche’ but rather to cater for people of all abilities as part of their standard travel industry planning, infrastructure and operations.

For example, the destination I was advising is hugely popular with multi-generational visitors travelling together including grandparents often coming over with their grandchildren every year because they loved it so much. The ‘older adult’ segment I concluded was worth hundreds of million Euro a year in revenue but was most definitely not being adequately supported in terms of providing accessibility even at the most rudimentary level. For instance, there was very limited accessible transportation to and from the airport; there were physical barriers at many heritage sites; and the majority of hotel accommodation had no training, expertise or motivation to cater for guests that were not fully abled” Jem Golden

Read more.

Our Takeaway: Positioning accessibility to be inclusive for all is the best overall strategy when addressing industry partners. But it’s always useful to remind them about baby boomers for whom aging is a form of disability on the installment plan.

One Year Anniversary Edition of Accessible Journeys, Spring 2023 issue

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Accessible Journeys – travel without limits in a world where all are welcome.

The quarterly digital magazine Accessible Journeys has quickly become a leading resource for accessible travel information. A partnership between Mélange Publications and TravelAbility, the publication is a brand extension of the magazine, Accessibility for All.

Accessible Journeys features everything relevant to travel and accessibility: destination and accommodation guides, equipment reviews, travel tips, parenting information, innovative products, and more. It also shares expert input from bloggers, vloggers, and influencers – about 40 in each issue.

Launched in March 2022, Accessible Journeys grew from a circulation of 870 to 68,000 by the end of that same year. This growth is a testament to the importance of accessible travel and the valuable information the publication holds for everyone eager to explore the world.

Accessible Journey’s success is due in part to the editorial guidance provided by prolific leaders in the disability travel community. The Spring 2023 issue was steered by guest editor Cory Lee, who shared his insights into adventure travel. Guest editors Ashley Lynn Olson, Kay Kingsman, and Jennifer Allen have contributed their expertise in the past, keeping the publication on the leading edge.

Accessible Journeys provides value, insight, support and resources to the disability travel community.  

For advertising and marketing information contact Debbie Austin at daustin@readmelange.com

Read Accessible Journeys here

Has Virgin Atlantic Airlines Gone to the Dogs?

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The airline’s cabin crew will receive training from experts at the British charity Guide Dogs to better accommodate blind and visually impaired passengers

Flight attendants will learn best practices when helping passengers with sight loss, including how to approach and assist them with navigating narrow or crowded spaces, stairs, and doorways and taking their seats. Read more.

Our Takeaway: Richard Branson has done it again.  While other airlines blunder when addressing the needs of blind passengers, his airline zigs when they zag.  This initiative is already proving to be a bonanza of effusive p.r. as they have tapped into the love affair that 34% of UK residents and 65% in the U.S.A. have as dog owners. 

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