Tag Archives: accessible tourism

Developing accessible tourism facilities and activities “makes business sense”, World Travel Market London delegates heard. Ryan Smith, the founder of The Access Agency, said investing in the accessible sector can generate $13 for every dollar spent. He said 25% of inbound tourists to Australia have access needs, adding: “If you do it well, you are not leaving people behind, and you are not leaving money on the table. We are a loyal cohort, we stay longer and go in shoulder seasons. The industry is a bit slow to catch up…but it will eventually catch up.” He told the WTM diversity, equality, accessibility, inclusion and intersectionality (DEAI) summit about how attitudes to disability, government policies, technology and representation are improving, adding: “You can see people with disability in media, in boardrooms. I think that stigma is really starting to become reduced.” He highlighted how adaptive equipment can help wheelchair users to explore the great outdoors, citing examples in his native Australia and his travels to places such as Machu Picchu in Peru. Furthermore, public bodies in Australia are developing accessible beaches and a directory listing more than 70 such sites, which offer beach padding for wheelchairs and special types of wheelchairs. Other facilities include “discovery tents” and all-terrain wheelchairs in Victoria. “If I was a tour operator or developing a tourism product…I would certainly be thinking about how I might integrate this into my offering,” he said. Queensland has designated 2023-24 as the year of accessible tourism, ahead of Brisbane hosting the Paralympics 2032, which has seen more funding for outdoor inclusive and accessible experiences. “We are seeing the private sector start to lean into this as well,” he said, pointing …

Amsaan Accessible Tours (AAT) has launched “Travel with Bova,” a project dedicated to providing guided tours conducted entirely in sign language. This transformative initiative marks a milestone in inclusive tourism and is launched from the UAE, a key destination for AAT. Benefiting both the tourism ecosystem and Deaf travellers while syncing with the UAE government, “Travel with Bova” offers unique guided tours around the world, led by Volodymyr Bozhko, also known as Bova, a senior Deaf tour guide with over 15 years of experience. Bova has guided tourists from various countries using International Sign Language, including the USA, China, and former CIS countries among others, and boasts extensive knowledge of European destinations, exotic islands, and Southeast Asian countries. He has organised long combined tours where travellers can visit multiple countries in one trip. Bova will be joined by another expert guide, Dmytro, who has visited over 50 countries and understands the needs of discerning Deaf tourists. The primary vision behind “Travel with Bova” is to provide accessible travel experiences for the Deaf community, breaking down barriers and allowing travellers to immerse themselves in different cultures through sign language. While the UAE is a favourite destination, the initiative will also introduce tourists to various other destinations. This project meets the rising demand for inclusive tours by leveraging specialists, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to crafting unforgettable experiences for Deaf tourists, addressing the global loss of US$150 billion due to overlooked accessible tourism. Alex Koltsov, CEO, of Amsaan Accessible Tours, commented: “Catering to over 430 million people who have hearing loss, the launch of ‘Travel with Bova’ will set new standards in accessible tourism and not only meet but exceed the expectations …

As part of the #IAmTourism strategy, Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) has announced the launch of the ‘GIFTed’ initiative. This initiative is dedicated to qualifying and empowering individuals with disabilities to work within the tourism sector.‘GIFTed’ stands as the premier initiative focused on supporting individuals with disabilities in the tourism industry, fostering their abilities, and creating pathways to acquire practical skills and explore diverse employment opportunities. The initiative strives to achieve several main objectives, including raising awareness of the capabilities of individuals with disabilities in the tourism sector, enabling participants through specialised training for the labour market, and promoting social integration by emphasising the vital role individuals with disabilities play in the community. The launch event was hosted at Naseem dusitD2 Resort, Al Jabal Al Akhdar, under the patronage of Her Highness Sayyida Hujaija bint Jaifar Al Said and attended by key figures from OMRAN Group and the Al Wafa Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Al Jabal Al Akhdar. On the occasion of the launch, Hilal bin Masoud Al Jadidi, Chief Human Capital Officer at OMRAN Group, stated: “The ‘GIFTed’ initiative is a key component of our #IAmTourism strategy, serving as a roadmap towards empowering national talent to succeed in this opportunity-rich sector. The initiative embodies our deep belief in enhancing professional avenues for people with disabilities due to the talents and capabilities they possess. We aim to utilise the outcomes of this initiative as a model for application across our assets and future projects.” Jagdeep Thakral, General Manager of Naseem dusitD2 Resort Al Jabal Al Akhdar, remarked: “We are proud that our resort is the launching point for this significant initiative. Throughout the six-month …

German National Tourist Office GCC for the second year in a row bagged the prestigious Arabian Travel Award for ‘Most active in promoting sustainable and accessible travel’. Yamina Sofo, Director German National Tourist Office GCC shared, “It is an honour to have received the award for the ‘Most Active in Promoting Sustainable and Accessible Travel’. Our campaign ‘Simply Feel Good’ which promotes sustainability throughout Germany, has been key in implementing sustainable practices, be it in accommodation, transportation, and more.” The sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards concluded at Sofitel downtown Dubai graced by HE Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil bin Shamsuddin, Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE as Chief Guest presenting the awards to the stars of the night. An exclusive invitation only event gathered all the key leaders from travel, tourism and hospitality across the GCC. The Chief Guest H.E Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Bin Shamsuddin Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE gracing the occasion shared, “It is an honour and privilege for me to be invited to join the experts in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry this evening. To the organiser, please accept my appreciation and gratitude in organising the 6th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards, which recognises the contribution of the leaders of travel, tourism and hospitality in the Middle East.”

Amsaan Accessible Tours, the first company specialising in organising unique tours for Deaf people in the MENA region, has emerged as a leading company in the tourism sector for People of Determination in the UAE. The company’s flagship feature is the “Deaf for the Deaf” principle, where 80% of the staff are Deaf or hard of hearing. Leveraging a comprehensive ecosystem of modern IT solutions, Amsaan Accessible Tours offers tours with all information provided in sign language. The team caters to the psychology and needs of Deaf tourists, addressing the problems and barriers they encounter during their travels. International signs serve as a valuable tool to bridge the communication gap and foster understanding among Deaf individuals from various linguistic backgrounds. However, each country has its own sign language, such as Emirati Sign Language in the UAE and British Sign Language in the UK. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide live with partial or complete hearing loss. This highlights an untapped market potential and the pressing need to address the challenges faced by this significant population within the realm of travel and tourism. The UAE is among the top 10 global tourist destinations, and the National Tourism Strategy 2031 targets a GDP of $122.6 billion by 2031. Amsaan Accessible Tours is dedicated to playing a part in this economy by ensuring most facilities are Deaf-friendly, creating a comprehensible and safe travel infrastructure that mutually benefits the business ecosystem and deaf travellers. This ambition extends beyond the tourism sector, as the company endeavours to implement inclusive principles across critical domains such as transportation, healthcare, HoReCa, entertainment and numerous others. Benny Ngo, who visited the UAE, shared his …

VFS Global launched its first sign language contact centre for people of determination in the Middle East. This innovative service not only underscores VFS Global’s steadfast commitment to foster an inclusive environment but also highlights the company’s dedication to ensuring that all customers have equal access to their services, as part of our Diversity Equity and Inclusion programme of our Sustainability Strategy. The sign language contact centre is now available for our applicants in nine countries – Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. It provides information for visa services to Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands as part of the first phase of this projects’ implementation plan. How to access the sign language contact centre: Step 1 – Visit www.vfsglobal.com Step 2 – Navigate to the Contact Us page Step 3 – Click on the sign language widget Atul Marwah, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East & North Africa, VFS Global, expressed his enthu-siasm for the new service, stating, “We are truly excited to be bringing this solution to applicants, making information on our services and processes more accessible to all. Technology-backed solutions are the cornerstone of our operations, and this innovation, which makes our services and solutions more acces-sible, is amongst our proudest achievements. The service will be extended to provide visa service infor-mation for a further 17 destinations in the second phase, slated to be rolled out later in the year.” By introducing the sign language contact centre, VFS Global aims to bridge the communication gap for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, empowering them to access visa service information more easily and independently. This initiative is a …

Red Sea Global (RSG), The Red Sea and Amaala, has pledged that its destinations and experiences will be fully inclusive for guests with disabilities, specific needs and access requirements, by implementing an accessibility agenda that is aspirational, alive and responsive, making a real difference to guest experience. The developer has pledged to ensure all guests will enjoy luxury hospitality and unique experiences – from sailing, kayaking and diving among shipwrecks and coral reefs, to exploring the inland environment and stargazing in the desert. The objective is to ensure guests enjoy RSG destinations with equity and dignity through the delivery of spaces, products and services irrespective of physical or cognitive ability. “If we are truly going to do better by people and planet, we can’t leave anyone behind. There are approximately 1.3 billion disabled people globally. It is not only totally inexcusable for our industry to exclude so many people, but commercially short-sighted,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. “We pledge to pursue a total commitment to accessible tourism from day one. As a visionary developer, we have the chance to build in accessibility from the ground up, creating exceptional experiences for every visitor to treasure, regardless of their physical or cognitive ability.” To drive this leading commitment to accessible tourism, the developer will now require all its employees, consultants and partners to follow the UN-backed standard, ISO 21902 – Accessible Tourism for All, throughout their work. The standard means every contractor at RSG’s destinations must ensure guest experiences take a universally inclusive approach. This commitment includes using new technologies – such as smart mobility and logistics – to radically enhance luxury tourism experiences for people with disabilities …

Dubai Airports is introducing a comprehensive new programme to ensure the delivery of a sector leading, inclusive, and seamless travel experience for all People of Determination (POD) with hidden disabilities that travel through Dubai International (DXB). As part of Dubai Airport’s shared values ‘We all meet the world differently’, this new initiative will contribute to the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021 vision for Dubai to be the world’s leading disability-friendly city and barrier-free community that empowers and welcomes all POD travellers. This new programme will roll out in two phases over two years and unite service partners across the DXB community to elevate the travel experience for passengers with hidden disabilities such as autism, chronic fatigue, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). In an effort to integrate recognisable and accessible options for POD travellers, Dubai Airports will be introducing a travel planner for pre- travel preparation and an Autism Friendly Route, with a prioritised route through check-in, passport control, security check point and boarding, which can be availed when wearing the sunflower lanyard. Specially trained staff equipped to support POD travellers will be easily identifiable wearing sunflower pins, allowing for increased visibility, communication and support throughout the airport journey. A comprehensive educational campaign to drive awareness around autism, specifically relating to socially acceptable language and empathy will be undertaken as part of the programme, complemented by the distribution of key training materials across all airport entities, ensuring that POD travellers are met with consistent support and a positive customer experience.  Dubai Airports has been accredited by the Dubai Autism Centre as an Autism friendly environment. The second phase of the roll-out will see additional, innovative solutions, including connected airports, …

In a move to promote accessible travel and tourism, Gulf people of determination information technologies has developed an app designed for those who are short of hearing to travel without a hassle. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people who need some kind of assistance amounts to one billion people, who are served by another one billion, hence making this segment accounts for 1/3 of the world population. The total number of tourists with disabilities amounts to 120 million out of a total of 1.2 billion tourists around the world in 2017. These tourists have spent billions of dollars and millions of tourist overnights. Nida Inamdar Marketing Manager for GPDIT shares, “Amsaan is a customised software designed for Deaf and People with Hearing loss. In one click the user can connect with a sign language interpreter and choose which sign language you want to use. It will connect the user with an online Sign Language Interpreter who will translate the conversation between the participant and the deaf person. Amsaan eliminates the necessity for an onsite sign language interpreter, allowing Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals to communicate without assistance using their smartphone or through a preinstalled tablet.” She reiterated how the app works and the benefits, “We have currently deployed AMSAAN in the hospitality sector. We are committed to making most facilities deaf-friendly so that deaf tourists and residents may travel without any barriers and have a pleasant stay at the hotel. We are also endeavouring to implement AMSAAN in other essential sectors such as transportation, healthcare, HoReCa, banking and many others. Since it is a video relay service, it requires a wifi or data connection …

Celebrating World Tourism Day, Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, commented, shared about Dubai’s continued commitment to sustainable and accessible tourism. “With tourism being one of the key pillars of Dubai’s economy and central to the city’s DNA, World Tourism Day is a day of great importance to Dubai as it provides a time for reflection on Dubai’s remarkable turnaround and its pioneering role in providing a blueprint for the recovery of global tourism.  Inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the most visited and liveable city in the world, we can also look ahead to the new era of tourism development for Dubai, particularly the massive expansion of the tourism landscape, infrastructure and offering under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, that lays the groundwork for Dubai’s sustainable development for the next two decades, further reinforcing its position as a global destination for business, investment and tourism. As we look to the future of travel, we will continue to collaborate and work alongside our valued city stakeholders and partners to rethink how we do tourism and to become more sustainable, accessible and responsible as we evolve our offering and remain at the forefront of the world’s widely recommended travel destinations.”