February 14, 2017 was not just Valentine's Day for Special Needs Group/Special Needs at Sea (SNG) as the international provider of special needs equipment rentals turned 10 this week.
The company has come a long way since 2007, helping those with mobility concerns overcome any hurdles and still get out there and travel, and anyone who has been on a cruise during that period has surely seen its logo on a scooter or two around the world.
"SNG was founded with a strategic vision to deliver an accessible world and make it possible for anyone to travel, even if they have a disability or special need," said Andrew J Garnett, SNG founder, president & CEO, in a press release. "Today, we are breaking travel barriers for hundreds of thousands of individuals with special needs who wish to see the world."
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In its 10 years of operation, SNG has fulfilled more than 150,000 orders including those for "slow walkers," and the baby boomer/silver segment demographic. In fact, accessible travel is now the fastest growing market in the industry according to the release.
SNG supplies wheelchair, scooter, oxygen and other special needs equipment for rent as well as gear for purchase to 165 metropolitan areas in 35 countries. Besides servicing most cruise lines, the company also works with hotels, resorts, theme parks and convention centers.
What's more, SNG also strives to raise awareness of accessible travel via newsletters, webinars, blogs, social media, panel discussions and presentations and additionally supports ARC Broward, Camillus House and regional elementary schools.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Why Overlooking The Disabled Travel Market Is A Mistake[/READMORE]
In fact, to commemorate its anniversary, SNG will hold a meeting on February 21 with the NACTA (National Association of Career Travel Agents), catered by ARC Broward Culinary School which helps disabled people with the chance to reach their potential.
As for travel agents, there are 3,200 who are now Certified Accessible Travel Advocates from the SNG program that educates those in the market with online study and testing. In total, more than 14,000 travel agents are registered with SNG to help facilitate the procurement of equipment for their clients.
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