Expert warns industry needs to wise up to opportunities of accessible travel
Accessible and inclusive travel is one of the fastest growing sectors in the tourism industry.
But it’s also the most overlooked.
Recent data from My Travel Research revealed that one-sixth of the global population lives with some kind of disability and with an aging population that number is only going to get bigger.
The research also showed that the estimated value of the accessible tourism sector is around $10 billion, which is on par with the estimated value of the inbound Chinese tourism market.
To find out more about this growing sector and how agents can better serve them, we spoke with My Travel Research Co-Founder, and travel industry veteran, Carolyn Childs to bring you this exclusive Q&A.
Travel Weekly: Do you think the industry is inclusive towards those with a disability or the elderly?
Carolyn Childs: Overall no.
The market is currently underserved, with 20 per cent of travellers saying they would travel more if they were aware of products and services that met their needs.
We see some destinations and businesses doing really well and some interesting innovations are appearing. For example, apps that list businesses that are well set up for people with disabilities.
One sector that is doing a lot is cruise. People will argue about the extent but most of the travellers with a disability I have spoken to have said this is an industry that does well by them.
Globally the UK is a big leader in this space and has begun developing not just product but wonderful marketing campaigns that remember a big truth. There are way more things a traveller with a disability has in common with the rest of the market than what divides them. Most importantly – they are travelling for experiences.
TW: Why, besides promoting inclusivity, why is it so important for travel companies to cater to the disability market?
CC: Because it is a bloody good business opportunity!
There’s lots of evidence to show that for many people with a disability finding somewhere that sees them as a customer (and not an imposition) and works on that basis is so refreshing they will head back regularly.
While average incomes are lower – as many as a third of Australians with a disability, for example, are in the top two income quintiles (above average earnings).
With an aging population both here and in many major markets and a sector that is not really being addressed I’m still completely amazed that most businesses are not embracing this opportunity the way they could.
Finally, the UK Business Disability Forum has estimated that the value of poor service to this market costs UK businesses (not just travel) GBP 1.8bn PER MONTH.
TW: Is there anything agents can do to help? Seeing as they are on the front line?
CC: Get wise as to where the great experiences and products are.
This market is very welcoming of advice especially as they get further down the path toward the final booking phase. So, travel agents are a sector that can really benefit from this market.
Because the accessible market has such diversity, agents need to do their research and provide the information in a well-structured format, so people can work with their agent on what is needed.
Those agents who perform well in this market will have a strong competitive edge as they will enjoy high repeat business and loyal customers who are willing to advocate for them.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
accessible market accessible travel disabilityLatest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.