Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) partners with Accessible Accommodation
Booming Caravan Industry focussing in on accessibilty through new partnership
Caravan Industry Association of Australia has announced its new industry partnership with Accessible Accommodation (The Accessible Group), focused on delivering new accessible tourism experiences in Australia’s BOOMING caravan and camping sector.
Australia’s caravanning and camping appeal transcends age, the draw of seeing our beautiful country remains strong for all demographics. While the sector has a wide-ranging appeal, the industry wants to ensure no one is left out and that it is open and accessible to all Australians – that means all ages and abilities.
Caravan holiday park operators have a great opportunity to tap into this increasing demand through the provision of accessible accommodation, facilities, and activity areas.
Recent data from Tourism Research Australia states that 20 percent of visitors in a caravan park or commercial camping ground reported a disability or long-term health condition of some kind. This equates to approximately 3.8 million trips annually.
Of those who indicated their specific disability or long-term health conditions, 23 percent indicated mental health, 22 percent indicated vision and hearing impairment, and 19 percent indicated mobility limitations.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO, Stuart Lamont, said: “The announcement of our collaboration with The Accessible Group means a tremendous amount for the industry. We recently saw a number of parks across the country receive grants from Minister Farrell and the Federal Government for accessible park infrastructure.
This collaboration is the next progression in embracing accessible tourism within the industry.”
“Accessibility is often confused with how mobile someone may be. Accessibility means so much more, it is the practice of making information activities and surroundings make sense and meaningful for as many people as possible. We are excited to work with industry to make it easier for all Australians to enjoy the benefits of a caravanning and camping experience.”
Founder of The Accessible Group, Kerry Williams commented: “I am excited to partner with Caravan Industry Association of Australia to benefit both people with disabilities (19 percent of our population) and retirees (25 percent). Accessible Tourism is a booming sector, and caravan holiday parks are well-suited to meet the rising demand for accessible accommodation. “
“Our Accessible Qualified program sets the standard for accessible tourism, offering peace of mind to both guests and providers. Through our consulting service and inclusion training programs, we are aiming through this partnership to equip caravan holiday parks with the tools to offer a welcoming accessible guest experience. It’s a win-win partnership for both members and guests with disabilities.”
The Accessible Group will provide accredited caravan holiday parks with access to specialised online tourism inclusion training programs and onsite consulting services as well as the opportunity to becoming certified as an Accessible Accommodation provider.
About The Accessible Group
Accessible Accommodation provides professional consulting on how to make tourism accommodation accessible AND stylish, whether you are building a new property or renovating an existing one.
Reports are tailored to your business needs and premises, providing a detailed breakdown of the recommended improvements and changes you need to make to become ATDW Accessible Accredited. A three-tiered ‘Accessible Qualified’ rating system, helps you dissect what’s really needed to embrace travellers with disabilities, and what is a waste of money. Accessible Accommodation helps make your property accessible to tourists without breaking the bank.
Our website, Accessible Accommodation, connects caravan holiday parks to over 30,000 travellers with disabilities, by providing extensive information. Whilst guests can also book on the website, most will search for the right stay and book directly with the park, which is the ‘Accessible Qualified‘ program is so valuable.
About Caravan Industry Association of Australia
Caravan Industry Association of Australia Ltd is the peak national body representing the caravan and camping industry in Australia. As an association representing the sector we undertake a number of activities each year aimed at increasing awareness of the industry, improving the industry and encouraging consumer participation within the sector. These activities include TV cooperatives, online marketing activities, advertising, PR activities, research, advocacy, lobbying, running the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturer’s Accreditation Program (RVMAP) and a parks accreditation program, plus an annual conference.
The Australian caravan and camping industry is a $27.1 billion industry that directly employs 53,000 people, manufactures locally more than 20,000 vehicles per annum, services over 840,000 vehicles on the road, and generates more 15 million trips and 62 million visitor nights in caravan parks across the country annually.
Mandy has over 17 years of accommodation and tourism industry writing experience and is Editor of AccomNews & Resort News, Publisher of SchoolNews & Director of Multimedia Pty Ltd. She is a retired registered nurse with a 25-year NHS career that followed a few unforgettable years in hotel housekeeping.
This is just amazing. It is so hard getting the right accommodation. People with disabilities get left out in so many places. Thanks to people like Kerry there are places to go and have time away.