VisitEngland Partners with AccessAble to Enhance Accessibility in Tourism
VisitEngland, in collaboration with AccessAble, has announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing accessibility across the tourism and hospitality sectors in England. This partnership focuses on providing detailed access guides for various venues to aid visitors with health conditions and impairments.
Through the new portal, Your Accessibility Guide, hospitality businesses can schedule assessments of their facilities. These assessments are conducted by professional surveyors who create Detailed Access Guides, ensuring that the information provided meets quality assurance standards.
A Step Towards Inclusive Tourism
Andrew Stokes, VisitEngland Director, emphasized the importance of accessible information for travelers, stating that detailed venue descriptions significantly aid decision-making for travelers with specific needs. The initiative is designed not only to assist travelers in making informed choices but also to encourage businesses to enhance their accessibility features to attract a wider audience.
Mims Davies MP, Minister for Disabled People Health and Work, praised the initiative, linking it to broader government efforts like the Disability Action Plan and National Disability Strategy. These efforts aim to make the UK a leader in accessibility for residents and visitors alike.
Impact on Businesses and Travelers
The guides will be accessible on AccessAble's website, which already serves over six million users annually. Participating businesses will receive an Accessibility Improvement Report, helping them to identify and address potential areas for improvement.
Additionally, VisitEngland is offering discounts to businesses that register through the portal, with allocations on a first-come, first-served basis. This incentive is part of a broader strategy to strengthen tourism, a key economic sector in England that supports millions of jobs and contributes significantly to the domestic economy.
Dr. Gregory Burke, founder of AccessAble, highlighted the demand from both disabled individuals and venues for reliable accessibility information. This collaboration between VisitEngland and AccessAble aims to meet this need, marking a significant advancement in making tourism more inclusive and accessible for all.