Accessible Tourism
Accessible Tourism
The Queensland Government has declared 2023 The Year of Accessible Tourism and is supporting Queensland's tourism industry to provide greater experiences for holidaymakers across the state so they can enjoy a holiday without boundaries.
Empowering small and medium-sized tourism and event businesses across Queensland, over the next 12 months a substantial $12 million in funding has been allocated. This funding aims to facilitate the development or improvement of accessibility for individuals of all abilities and it strives to redefine the concept of what it means to be an accessible tourism business.
This year to help our Team BT members navigate the opportunities and further enhance our region's accessible experience offerings, we've provided some handy resources for you to access. From toolkits, webinars and case studies there are a number of resources available to help you at any stage of your accessible tourism journey.
Unsure where and how to start? Just ask our team!
What does it mean to be an Accessible Tourism Business in Queensland?
Inclusive tourism ensures that everyone can fully participate in travel experiences by creating welcoming environments for people with all abilities. People with access requirements encompass various groups, such as parents with prams, seniors with mobility needs, and individuals with disabilities—whether permanent or temporary, spanning physical, sensory, intellectual, or neurological challenges.
THE BENEFITS
Making your products or services more accessible to visitors opens up the opportunity for your business to reach new and valuable markets.
Did you know in 2021 Tourism Research Australia's National Visitation Survey recorded travel groups including people living with a disability or long-term health condition in Australia accounted for $13.5 billion (17% of total) domestic day and overnight trips!? For context, the inbound China market in 2019 was worth $2 billion to Australia.
With approximately 18% of Australians (that's 4.4 million people) living with a disability, 22% (or 5.5million) living with a long-term health condition*, and an ageing population, there is a growing need for more enriching and inclusive visitor experiences and by improving your experience offering to be more inclusive, you're creating a greater opportunity to attract a wider visitor market.
VISITORS WHO BENEFIT FROM IMPROVED ACCESS
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People with physical disability for example, people who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters, people who use a walking frame or crutches, or people who have difficulty with finger or hand coordination
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Those with temporary needs, mobility issues or medical conditions
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People with vision impairment
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People with hearing impairment or who are deaf
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People with a perceptual or cognitive disability that affects communication
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Carers of people with disability
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People with prams and strollers
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Overseas visitors for whom English is not their first language seeking easy-to-access information
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The elderly
What is The Year of Accessible Tourism?
Queensland's Year of Accessible Tourism strives to empower our tourism industry to deliver world-class experiences that are accessible to all and is both a social responsibility and an economic opportunity for tourism businesses in Queensland. According to Tourism Research Australia, accessible tourism could contribute an additional $735 million annually, rising to $1.8 billion when considering the entire travel party. Aligning with Towards Tourism 2032, TEQ and BT will be engaging with key stakeholders to ensure we're able to provide and share the regions breathtaking tourism experiences in an immersive and inclusive way.
accessible tourism resources
PODCAST: IGNITING ACCESSIBLE EXPERIENCES
Pop in the headphones or connect to your closest Bluetooth speaker and listen to Queensland's dedicated podcast talking all things accessible tourism and travel!
Click here for more listening sources and don't forget to follow on Spotify or Apple.
LOCAL services FOR INDUSTRY
Whether you're looking to support your staff, a customer, a family member or yourself, our region has a diverse range of inclusive services that provide specialised support, information, education and employment services readily available.
let your senses travel
Download the Vacayit App and immerse yourself in the sounds and stories of the Bundaberg region.
Designed to support blind and low vision-impaired visitors ensuring everyone can easily enjoy, navigate and experience breathtaking natural wonders, world-class attractions and mouth-watering food, the Bundaberg Region is a proud supporter and contributor of Vacayit. With a range of curated sensory audio tracks reaching travellers of all abilities, discover how you can turn your experience offering into an immersive and inclusive experience.
Download the app from www.vacayit.com or contact the team directly for more info.