Should we call it ‘inclusive tourism’ or ‘accessible tourism?’ Well that depends. If it is a destination or activity specifically designed for people with disability then it’s accessible. If it is a mainstream service AND it is fully accessible for everyone then it’s inclusive. There is a place for both. However, inclusive in this context is not to be confused with “all inclusive” products and services where the price includes everything.
Specialist organisations
Here is a list of some accessible tourism organisations that are specifically for people with disability.
Accessible Accommodation is a find and book website with good visual and video information about the properties. You can subscribe to their newsletter.
Getaboutable is a social enterprise focused on travel and leisure for people with disabilities. It offers a platform to promote inclusive tourism and travel businesses around the world.
Have Wheelchair Will Travel is a website where a family shares their travel experiences to help others. They also share day-to-day tips and other activities in between. They produce a magazine titled, Travel Without Limits.
Distinctive Options Travel (DO Travel) has a focus on disability specific holidays, stays and tours. This is an extension of their NDIS services. They have group tours.
Travability provides accessible travel information.The Destinations section of the website has plenty to offer travellers. There is also a news and resource section for the traveller and the tourism sector.
iSCREAM Travel provides tailored travel adventures from booking the holiday, hiring equipment, and connecting with care assistance. They say “you shouldn’t have to travel with the kitchen sink”.
Push Adventures is based in South Australia and offers services to the tourism sector to improve their accessibility. The blog page has information on various destinations for travellers. They have a showcase of 101 Awesome Accessible Adventures in Australia.
Go Wheel the World is an international travel organisation that will find and book holiday experiences.
The Access Agency has a travel blog, Freewheel Weekends with stories and a directory of places and venues in Melbourne.
In New Zealand
Grab Your Wheels Let’s Travel is a blog site for travellers. It has a list of activities and accommodation. The site has a good example of how to describe a wheelchair accessible hotel and room.
Making Trax is an adventure tourism site for travellers and operators.
Ability Adventures is a specialist travel company providing tailored itineraries.
More on travel and tourism
There are many research papers and business guides on travel and tourism on this website. The emphasis of the research is on the missed business opportunities for operators. The guides are devised to help operators improve their accessibility.
Lake Macquarie Cabins
The pictures on the Council website show the cabins. This is also a good example of how information should be presented for wheelchair users to know just what is, and what is not, included. Saying something is “fully accessible” is of little use – it might only have a ramp and nothing else.
It should be noted that these are bespoke designs specifically for wheelchair users. However, there is no reason why non-wheelchair users can’t use them.
