For those with accessibility issues, there's a lot to overcome when it comes to travel.
Research is key, but not all of the information you find online is accurate.
VisitEngland and VisitScotland are working hard to ensure they provide accurate online resources for travelers. The two tourism organizations jointly released a new resource site that helps tourism providers create accessibility guides for their businesses.
"The U.K. has an incredible range of world-class attractions, and we want them to be open to as many people as possible. These new guides will give clear accessibility information to make it easier for disabled visitors to plan their trips with confidence," said U.K. government minister for tourism John Glen.
A 2015 research study conducted by VisitEngland found that £12 billion was spent on trips where one member of the party had an impairment. Similarly, research conducted by VisitScotland during the same time period found that £1.3 billion was spent on those trips, which includes day, domestic overnight and inbound varieties.
"Our research shows that visitors in this important market value clear, concise accessibility information from tourism providers," said Sally Balcombe, VisitEngland chief executive.
"The new accessibility guides will allow travelers to compare attractions, accommodation businesses and other venues before choosing their destination, enabling them to make an informed choice," Balcombe added.
While many places in the U.K. offer accessible features for guests with disabilities, 63 percent don't promote this fact.
Ninety-five percent of people with accessibility issues research a venue before they visit and, if they don't think it's friendly to their needs, they will pass on visiting, demonstrating the need for this type of service for U.K. businesses.
"It is our aim to make tourism inclusive and accessible for all so that every single person can benefit from all that Scotland has to offer," said VisitScotland chief executive Malcolm Roughead.
"This new website will help businesses produce informative guides in a user-friendly format, that will promote inclusion and enable all our customers to have the opportunity to achieve, to have fun, to live life in the same way as anybody else," added Roughead.
The website, AccessibilityGuides.org, clearly outlines the benefits of creating a guide and offers tools for businesses to get started as well as create their guide.
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