Portugal takes first Accessible Tourism Destinations top award
This 15th edition of the UNWTO Awards was also notable as it marked the launch of the Accessible Tourism Destinations (ATD) initiative. Organized by UNWTO in partnership with the Spanish NGO ONCE, this initiative recognizes destinations that are proactively working to make tourism more accessible to everyone, regardless of physical or mental ability.
Turismo Portugal was awarded the first international distinction of Accessible Tourism Destination (ATD2019), launched by UNWTO and the ONCE Foundation to recognize those destinations that are making laudable efforts so that they can be enjoyed by all tourists, regardless of their physical, sensory or cognitive abilities. In the last decade, Portugal has made outstanding efforts to make its tourism infrastructure, services and products more accessible nation-wide.
Destino Barcelona (Spain) was conferred a special mention as an exceptional urban tourism destination, while the city of Thrissur in Kerala (India) received a special mention as an emerging destination on the global accessible tourism market. The Expert Committee, gathering some of the most acknowledged international experts in universal accessibility in tourism and Design for All, included representatives of destinations, consumers, travel and tourism industries, Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) and international bodies.
Hluhluwe – An unsploit gem on the African Coast
by Bill Forrester
Two and a half hours north of Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal lies the Elephant Coast on the north Indian Ocean coast of South Africa. The Elephant Coast stretches from St Lucia in the south to Kosi Bay in the north and encompasses a vast array of activities from Big 5 game viewing, whale watching, bird watching, encounters with hippos and crocodiles, turtle tracking, scuba diving, visits to cultural villages in the heart of the Zulu Kingdom or just relaxing on the pristine beaches of the Indian Ocean.
The region has a conservation ethos with the HluhluweiMfolozi Park and lake St Lucia having been under formal conservation since 1895. In 1999 the iSimangaliso Wetland Park was inscribed as South Africa’s first world heritage site.
The Elephant Coast has one other feature that statistics alone cant cant convey, if is a feeling of stepping back in time and immersing yourself in a culture of Africa that has been forgotten and overly commercialized in other parts of the country. It is both safe and extremely friendly. It final great advantage is that it is an extremely accessible destination that allows a wheelchair tourist to experience the majesty of Africa’s big game.
Hluhluwe is the oldest and second largest game reserve in South Africa and contains the mandatory “Big 5” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino). It is world renown for saving the White Rhino from possible extinction and today has the largest population of Black Rhino in Africa. The park gives a feel of a true African adventure with its rolling hills dense forest and thornveld valleys. The park is open to private vehicles and has good roads throughout. Most of our travels were done with our car hired from Durban International Airport. We encountered herds of buffalo, giraffe, rhino, warthog, zebra and elephants with one very memorable close encounter. Driving is easy and well signed throughout, but often the best trick is to just stop by a river or waterhole and wait.
Accessible accommodation is available within the park at Hilltop Camp. As the name suggests it is a beautiful lodge perched high on the ridge line giving commanding views over the park. Apart from the rooms with roll in showers the main complex is very well designed with wide entrances and flat flooring throughout giving easy access to the dinning room and bar areas. The outside terraced area is two level with a very gently sloping ramp connecting both levels and giving a great place to relax over a drink and talk about the days encounters as the sun sets over the park. Accessible facilities are available within the complex both for overnight guests or visitors wanting a convenient place to stop for lunch or morning tea.
For those wishing to stay outside the park a beautifuloption is Leopard Walk Lodge located on its own 200 acres of private game reserve. There is a fully accessible chalet in a private bush setting. The lodge is fully catered in an open air dining room/bar with Zebras coming for their nightly feed right on cocktail hour.
Bonamanzi private game reserve and lodge is another outside the park option and it has a fully accessible unit. The lodge area is again very well equipped with level wide and smooth pathways connection all areas. The dinning facilities have easy access as does the elevated viewing area over the lake with gentle sloping ramps onto the platform. Bonamanzi is a private reserve and it has its own game drives including night drives. The open topped game vehicles are accessible via a purpose built wheelchair loading area.
If you are after a guided tour of the Elephant Coast Access2Africa safaris runs a series of inclusive itineraries from Durban including transport, game drives, scenic tours, activities and accommodation. We can put together an individual tour to meet your specific needs.
If you have ever wanted to experience the “wilds of africa” the Elephant Coast is a perfect and very accessible way to do it.
Change your Destination
The video “Change your destination” was issued by Fundación ONCE and UNWTO by the occasion of the 2019 International Fair of Tourism (FITUR).
Facilitating travel for people with disabilities is an exceptional business opportunity. Yet, a change in mind-set and in the model of tourism services provision is needed in order to meet this major market demand. Accessible environments and services contribute to improve the quality of the tourism product and can create more job opportunities for people with disabilities.
Accessibility, therefore, must be an intrinsic part of any responsible and sustainable tourism policy and strategy.
OmniServ and SigncodeUK partner to enhance assistance for deaf airline passengers
OmniServ, part of ABM Industries and the UK’s leading airline and airport assistance service provider, has partnered with SigncodeUK, an innovative online provider of video translation services for the D/deaf community (Deaf, Deafened and Hard of Hearing), as part of its continued efforts to improve the flying experience for all.
SigncodeUK takes information and interprets it into a British Sign Language (BSL) video with subtitles. It points out that BSL users effectively have English as a second language, so they can miss, misunderstand or be unable to access written or spoken English. By using Signcodes, Deaf BSL users understand the signed information and for Deafened and Hard of Hearing people there are subtitles.
The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which allows OmniServ exclusive rights to use the technology in airports – both landside and airside – and with airlines. It will also be available to help D/deaf travellers in airport retail areas.
OmniServ currently provides assistance for People With Reduced Mobility (PRM) passengers at Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest international passenger airports, as well as at Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Stansted. Every year, it helps nearly two million PRM passengers.
Samantha Saunders, Head of Innovation & Regulatory Compliance at OmniServ, says:
“This is a real game changer and a win-win for all sides. From the commercial point-of-view, it means airports, airlines and travel retailers can now communicate more easily and effectively with D/deaf passengers. We will be able to create safety briefings for D/deaf passengers to play on airlines, security advisories so they know what to expect in airports, marketing materials for airport retailers and food and beverage providers. For D/deaf passengers, it will reduce frustration, help them get around airports more easily, allow them full access to a range of retail opportunities, and make sure they are fully informed of all the important safety issues that go along with flying.”
“The partnership with SigncodeUK allows us to communicate with a section of the community which rarely uses our passenger support services but which can benefit enormously from them,” adds Saunders. “D/deaf passengers just use a different language. This technology means we can communicate with them in their own language.”
“SigncodeUK cares passionately about equality for the Deaf community and believe independent access to information, products and services should be available to all,” said Jeff Earl, Sales Director, SigncodeUK. “We are delighted to be working in partnership with OmniServ to deliver our dream and it is fantastic to work alongside a company that shares our values and ethos.”
According to Civil Aviation Authority statistics, UK air travel grew 19% between 2010 – 2017. During the same period of time, the numbers of passengers requiring assistance has grown an incredible 47%.
Many of these passengers have visible disabilities; however, OmniServ is aware that there are many people whose disabilities are not readily apparent who might appreciate help. It is actively working with a range of charities to extend its assistance to cover all sorts of ‘Hidden Disabilities’, including autism, impaired vision, hearing problems, and medical conditions such as Meniere’s Syndrome or colostomies.
“Our focus is on comfort and dignity as disabled passengers travel through the airports we serve,”
says Antony Marke, Group Managing Director at OmniServ.
“Our fundamental belief is that every customer, regardless of their assistance needs, has the same right to enjoy air travel as every other passenger. The partnership with SigncodeUK will help us deliver that promise to a section of the travelling public which has until now been very difficult to reach. I’m delighted that we will now be able to communicate with them in their own language and ensure they enjoy a smooth transit through the airport and a stress-free flight.”
About OmniServ
OmniServ Limited is the International Division of ABMAviation, the aviation division of ABM Industries(NYSE listed).
ABM Aviation provides a comprehensive range of innovative and dependable solutions to more than 100 airports globally, including the top 30 airports within the USA and 15 airports within the UK as OmniServ. This includes Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) operations at Heathrow, Stansted, Liverpool, Edinburgh and most recently Manchester Airport, along with Portering, Bussing and Coaching solutions, Security, Airline check-in and baggage handling, Aircraft Services, Cleaning and, through its travel retail division, Blackjack Promotions, Brand Ambassadors and Retail Hosts.
Established in 2004, OmniServ employs over 3,500 staff delivering ‘Legendary Service’ across a wide portfolio of aviation services.
About SigncodeUK
SigncodeUK CIC (community interest company) was established in 2016. Our directors have been involved with the D/deaf community for over 15 years and have an in-depth knowledge of the everyday barriers faced by Deaf people. Our highly experienced Deaf liaison team are community members with links throughout the UK. They regularly attend events and post video updates to ensure that our latest news and the companies providing accessibility through Signcodes reaches the Deaf community.
An exciting concept, delivering your message, product or service information. Promoting your company or organisation to the Deaf community as inclusive and forward thinking, by adopting the latest technology. Organisations that we have worked with include NHS England, Zero Suicide Alliance (Relias Learning, MindEd Trust, Positive practise mental health collaboration), Institute of British Sign Language (IBSL) NHS Merseycare, NHS Trust, interpreterNow.
Eurostar provides 360° guide to help travellers with autism
Eurostar, the high-speed passenger rail service linking the UK with mainland Europe, has launched a new 360° virtual guide to help travellers with autism have a smooth and stress-free journey, in a first for the travel industry.
Eurostar worked with charity Ambitious About Autism to carry out a review of its travel experience for autistic passengers. The charity advised that customers with autism are more comfortable travelling after seeing information in advance with sights and sounds in two-dimensions. The virtual guide has been created to reflect this by providing visual information ahead of a journey.
Eurostar offers a unique journey, with stations that combine elements from airports and domestic rail travel and the visual guide has been designed to offer tips and advice for every step, including ticket gates, security checks, boarding, on-board and arrivals.
Amber Kirby, Customer Experience Director, Eurostar, said:
“We are committed to providing an effortless travel experience for all our customers, and our new guide provides information for those that may be anxious about what to expect on the journey, specifically travellers with autism. We hope it helps more of our customers feel prepared so that they can relax and enjoy the experience from the moment they arrive at the station.”
Jolanta Lasota, Chief Executive of Ambitious About Autism, said:
“Many autistic people can find travelling an overwhelming experience so having information about what to expect before they set off is really important.
“We were very pleased that Eurostar asked us to consult with them on changes that will support their autistic customers’ needs. We hope this new visual guide will help autistic travellers feel more comfortable and confident ahead of embarking on international travel.”
The guide is now available and forms part of a number of initiatives from Eurostar to improve customer experience including improvements to making wheelchair bookings and a new process for non-accredited assistance dogs.
