by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 10:05 AM ET, Thu November 30, 2023
VisitEngland, the official tourism organization of England, issued a new toolkit for travel and tourism businesses in England to increase accessibility and inclusivity, as part of the kingdom’s tourism recovery plan, which aims to make it the most accessible country in Europe by 2025.
The toolkit, launched November 30, provides guidance on how to design accessible buildings, employing disabled people and creating accessibility information. It also features case studies, tips and downloadable checklists for improvements.
Thirty organizations, including some of the kingdom’s leading disability charities and tourism and hospitality trade associations, helped to contribute to the toolkit.
The United Kingdom’s post-pandemic Tourism Recovery Plan offers six goals for the various nations of the U.K. to follow, with the fifth being increasing accessibility as the spending power of the “purple pound,” or those with disabilities, gained significant notice in recent years.
“This toolkit will promote disability inclusion across the tourism industry, so it is fitting to see it launch ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities this Sunday,” said Minister for Disabled People Tom Pursglove MP. “The Government is committed to making disabled people’s lives easier, including through our Disability Action Plan, and this toolkit is another step towards building a more inclusive society where every disabled person can reach their fullest potential.”
According to 2022 data, England’s tourism industry generated £66.3 billion in domestic visitor spending. It’s estimated those with disabilities traveling both domestically and internationally in England generate £14.6 billion annually, generating a significant amount of tourism dollars.
“Our research shows that visitors in this important market value clear, concise, accessible information and tourism businesses want to provide it,” said VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes. “We want to support businesses to remove barriers so that visitors with accessibility requirements have the opportunity to enjoy our tourism offer like everyone else. This best-in-class toolkit supports businesses to place accessibility at the center of their operations, driving improved customer service and their welcome for visitors.”
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