Introduction

Accessible tourism focuses on creating inclusive experiences that allow everyone, regardless of their abilities or limitations, to enjoy travel and tourism services. This 5-day course equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, market, and manage accessible tourism offerings that cater to people with disabilities, older adults, and other groups with specific access needs. Participants will learn to implement accessibility standards, engage with diverse customer needs, and create a welcoming, inclusive environment that broadens their market reach.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Understand the principles of accessible tourism and the importance of inclusivity in hospitality.
• Learn how to implement accessibility standards and best practices within tourism operations.
• Develop skills for assessing and improving physical, digital, and service accessibility.
• Gain insights into marketing accessible tourism experiences to a wider audience.
• Learn how to train staff to serve guests with diverse needs with empathy and understanding.
• Recognize the business benefits of accessible tourism and how it increases guest satisfaction and loyalty.
• Create a personalized action plan for enhancing accessibility in their organization.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Hospitality and tourism managers who want to make their facilities more inclusive.
• Business owners and entrepreneurs aiming to improve accessibility in their offerings.
• Frontline staff and supervisors interested in learning best practices for serving guests with disabilities.
• Marketing professionals who want to understand and promote accessible tourism.
• Students and graduates in hospitality, tourism, or business management interested in inclusive travel.

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundations of Accessible Tourism

• Session 1: Introduction to Accessible Tourism: Key Concepts and Definitions
• Session 2: Understanding the Needs of Different Guest Groups (e.g., physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, older adults)
• Session 3: Benefits of Accessible Tourism: Social, Economic, and Ethical Perspectives
• Session 4: Case Studies of Leading Accessible Tourism Destinations and Businesses

Day 2: Physical Accessibility in Tourism Facilities

• Session 1: Assessing and Improving Accessibility in Buildings and Facilities
• Session 2: Accessible Room Design: Layouts, Furniture, and Equipment
• Session 3: Accessibility in Public Spaces: Entrances, Parking, Pathways, and Restrooms
• Session 4: Universal Design Principles for Tourism and Hospitality Spaces

Day 3: Digital Accessibility and Communication

• Session 1: Creating Accessible Websites and Online Booking Systems
• Session 2: Digital Content Accessibility: Videos, PDFs, and Social Media
• Session 3: Communication Techniques for Guests with Hearing or Vision Impairments
• Session 4: Ensuring Digital Compliance with Accessibility Standards (e.g., WCAG)

Day 4: Service Accessibility and Staff Training

• Session 1: Training Staff to Provide Inclusive and Respectful Service
• Session 2: Handling Special Requests and Accommodations for Guests with Disabilities
• Session 3: Empowering Staff to Respond to Accessibility Challenges and Problem-Solve
• Session 4: Inclusive Language and Etiquette for Serving Guests with Diverse Needs

Day 5: Marketing, Monitoring, and Continuous Improvement

• Session 1: Marketing Accessible Tourism: Reaching and Engaging the Inclusive Traveler
• Session 2: Collecting Feedback from Guests to Improve Accessibility
• Session 3: Monitoring Accessibility Standards and Compliance Over Time.
• Session 4: Developing a Strategic Action Plan for Long-Term Accessibility Enhancement.