The travel industry faces criticism for its failure to accommodate disabled travellers, highlighting a persistent oversight.
- Operators reportedly fear errors in catering to disabled needs, hampering progress for inclusivity in travel.
- Richard Thompson emphasises the lack of infrastructure and advancements in accessible travel over the last three decades.
- Calls for educational investment are made to better inform travel personnel on accessible options for disabled travellers.
- Debate arises between embracing inclusivity and deferring complex needs to specialised services.
The travel sector, often hailed for its adaptability and innovation, is under scrutiny for its perceived negligence towards disabled travellers. Reports suggest a predominant fear among operators of making errors when booking for this demographic. This concern is cited as a significant barrier to inclusive travel, resulting in the continued marginalisation of disabled individuals.
Richard Thompson, a prominent figure in inclusive travel, recently addressed this issue, articulating that the sector has stagnated in catering to disabled travellers. He highlighted that no substantial improvements have been made in nearly 30 years, emphasising that travel remains largely inaccessible for many. Thompson’s remarks draw attention to the systemic infrastructural deficiencies that preclude disabled individuals from enjoying travel experiences equivalent to others.
The entrepreneur advocates for a strategic shift towards educating staff within the travel industry. This educational investment is seen as imperative for equipping staff with the knowledge to advise disabled travellers accurately about suitable tours and itineraries that meet their needs. Thompson underscores that disabled travellers should not be viewed as a ‘niche’ group but as a significant untapped market that demands attention and resources.
Contrasting views emerge from industry leaders like Simon Applebaum, who argue that handling enquiries from disabled travellers requires expertise beyond that which general travel personnel possess. Applebaum posits that the complexities involved in ensuring accessible travel are best managed by specialists, given the industry’s limited control over external service providers such as airlines and hotels.
The discourse surrounding this issue underscores a pivotal dilemma in the travel industry: whether to embrace a comprehensive inclusivity mandate by enhancing general staff training or to rely on specialised services to cater to the specific needs of disabled travellers. Thompson counters the latter approach by suggesting that without broad-scale understanding and capability, the industry will remain inert in improving travel access for disabled persons.
The issue of inclusivity in travel necessitates a balanced approach between broad education and specialised services.
