There’s no denying that travellers with disabilities are under catered to in the tourism sector as a number of accommodation providers, transfer operators, airlines & even cruise lines fall short in their accessible offerings.
With some 20 percent of Australians (3.96 million) recognised as having a disability, it’s a greatly missed opportunity for the tourism industry.
Even more concerning is that travellers with disabilities are aware of the industry’s accessible
shortcomings, and in some cases may even be hesitant to book a holiday due to a lack of information and services available. Thankfully, there’s Travel Agents like Supported Travel eXperiences who have the right access and contacts to put together an itinerary for your accessible holiday.
Here’s how Travel Agents are best equipped to help travellers with disabilities:
First & foremost, they’ll ensure your covered
Travel insurance is one of the most vital requirements of travel, yet it’s often one of the last to be considered. If it’s considered at all. Insurance can also be difficult to understand, fortunately, Travel Agents speak the lingo well.
They’ll ensure travellers with disabilities take out travel insurance that not only covers existing issues but potential incidents that may occur on the road.
They can find the right accommodation, operator & even, cruise
Physical access can be one of the biggest obstacles faced by travellers with disabilities, but travel agents can make the search for accessible-friendly suppliers a little easier. Travel agents, especially companies like Support Travel eXperiences with a large network of accessible providers, are able to call ahead and ask specific questions. They can figure out accessible parking, path of travel to main entrance, accessible restroom availability, doorway width and accessible-friendly public transport.
They can notify hotels, airlines & cruise lines of your needs
If you’ve ever rocked up to your hotel with a special anniversary note waiting or received a small birthday acknowledgement, it’s likely because the Travel Agent requested special treatment for you. Beyond celebrating big days, Agents also have the ability to notify hotels, airlines and cruise lines of their client’s special requirements.
And finally, they’re with you every step or wheel of the way
As the saying goes, “without a Travel Agent, you’re on your own”, but with one you have assistance at every step of the journey. They’ll be able to assist if anything goes wrong and do their best to deliver a safe and enjoyable escape.
