ATEC launches new accessible & inclusive travel training

asian indian beautiful woman with disability using wheelchair exploring downtown district in kuala lumpur

In a world where people have differing travel needs – from wheelchair users to vision-impaired, less mobile seniors or parents with toddlers – embracing inclusive travel is a must.

And with research showing that more than 20 per cent of the travel market requires accessible travel measures, inclusive travel advocate Martin Heng has warned that the travel industry can’t afford to ignore this segment any longer.

Heng has worked with the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and Tourism Australia to develop and deliver the new Accessible and Inclusive Host training program, which aims to help tourism businesses understand key considerations for successfully servicing and attracting travellers with specific access needs.

The program focuses on addressing service expectations and offering tips for successful promotion to reach this target segment.

“Inclusive travel is more than ensuring you have accessibility; it’s about considering the needs of all of your visitors and is really no more than good customer service,” Heng said.

“Just by asking how can I help or what can I do for you, you are showing a willingness to offer service and that attitude can go a long way towards mitigating any other physical challenges. And it signals you are not making assumptions about someone’s ability.”

The Accessible and Inclusive Host program is designed for tourism operators large or small, with or without experience in the accessible and inclusive market.

Featuring three modules, the program aims to help operators understand the needs of travellers with different functional and cognitive impairments, including senior travellers and provide information on what influences their travel decisions and how best to attract and retain members of this large and growing travel segment.

Heng said inclusive travel is not only equitable but valuable as people with disability tend to spend more and travel in bigger parties.

“In the disability communities, the value of word-of-mouth recommendations is huge – and potentially hugely valuable to a tourism operator,” he said.

“People with disability have the same travel aspirations as every other tourist. They want access and to be able to do what everyone else wants to do; they just have specific requirements that need to be met.

“Small changes can make a huge difference and embracing inclusiveness is the first step in attracting anyone with different access needs.”

Many operators see financial barriers as an issue in providing more accessible product, but Heng said this is a myth.

“Becoming an accessible tourism business need not be expensive,” Heng said.

“My primary advice for a tourism business is: don’t be scared. Don’t worry about not being fully accessible because an inclusive mindset can help to overcome a lot of barriers.

“There are many low- or no-cost solutions so start small and do low-cost alterations that will really benefit a wide range of people in a lot of different ways.

“Ask yourself, how can I welcome people more effectively and remember inclusion is less about physical and more about attitudinal change?”


Image: iStock/Edwin Tan

Latest News

  • Hotels

Albury’s luxury boutique hotel, CIRCA 1928, is up for grabs

Luxury boutique hotel business CIRCA 1928, in the heart of the Albury’s CBD, is up for grabs. CRE Brokers has been appointed as the Exclusive Agency for the leasehold sale of the hotel in a major regional growth centre of NSW. Set in the tree-lined Dean Street, surrounded by the retail, food and entertainment offerings, […]

  • Hotels

Regent announces opening of the Regent Santa Monica Beach

Regent has returned to the US with the opening of Regent Santa Monica Beach, a beachfront resort combining the glamour of Los Angeles with the splendour of the coast. Regent Santa Monica Beach, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, reintroduces the Regent name to Los Angeles and becomes the brand’s first […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

CATO unites at World Travel Market London

The Council of Australian Tour Operators is poised to make a significant impact that the 2024 World Travel Market (WTM) in London. Supported by the Australian Government’s Reinvigorating International Travel Grant (RITG) program, CATO’s impressive attendance signals a clear commitment to revitalising the travel industry and accelerating Australia’s outbound tourism recovery. WTM London has served […]

  • Events

ICC Sydney hosts Global Nature Positive Summit

The International Convention Centre Sydney, managed by ASM Global, hosted the world’s first Global Nature Positive Summit from 8 to 10 October. Around 1,000 delegates including international Ministers, environmental policy experts across government and corporate sectors, Indigenous People, and investors attended the landmark event. At the Summit, leaders explored effective ways to realise global commitments […]

  • Conferences
  • Food & Beverage

Centennial Homestead welcomes The Paddock and Treehouse Rooftop Bar

Centennial Homestead, in Sydney’s Centennial Parklands, is stepping into a new era with its new The Paddock and Treehouse Rooftop Bar. Nestled with the stunning Parklands as a backdrop, the new spaces will be offering breakfast, lunch, weekend drinks with a view, or events. The Paddock seats more than 200 guests comfortably. With seamless integration […]

  • Destinations

Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort offers the perfect weekend itinerary for a boys’ trip

Located in the heart of the Hunter Valley, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort offers the perfect weekend itinerary for men to enjoy a customised adventure or wellness weekend. “Boys’ weekends” have come a long way from fishing, footy, and pub grub, with guys keen to get away to destinations that offer everything from actions and adventure […]

  • Conferences
  • Events

Club Med launches inaugural Meetings and Events Sustainability Report

Club Med has launched its inaugural Meetings and Events Sustainability Report, a new source of key information to support companies with the implementation of sustainable initiatives at their events. As its MICE sector continues to accelerate, the pioneer of premium all-inclusive holidays commissioned a survey on 200 key opinion leaders from a range of different […]

  • Hotels

Hotel review: does Amanpulo in the Phillipines outshine the Australian coastline?

We set our sights on Pamalican Island, curious if its beauty might outshine the familiar splendour of our own Australian coasts. Upon our arrival, what Amanpulo presents is a transformation of natural beauty into something that borders on ethereal. The journey by seaplane – a cinematic touch – adds an air of mystery, as if […]