Inaugural National Tourism Award shines light on accessible tourism

The six national finalists go above and beyond to accommodate people with accessibility needs & are all vying for the coveted national Gold award

AccomNews Friday, March 1, 2024

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The national finalists for the inaugural Excellence in Accessible Tourism award have been announced ahead of the prestigious 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards taking place in Darwin, Northern Territory on Friday, March 15, 2024.

As the newest of 27 national awards categories, the Excellence in Accessible Tourism award recognises a business that provides a tourism product, experience, or service that goes above and beyond to accommodate and cater for people with accessibility needs.

Cocky Guides (NSW), Katherine Outback Experience (NT), Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort (QLD), Adelaide Fringe (SA), Accessible Accommodation (VIC) and Off the Beaten Track WA (WA) are the six national finalists vying for the coveted national Gold award.

“This new award category highlights the importance and value of accessible tourism to visitors and tourism businesses alike,” said Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) Chief Executive Officer Erin McLeod.

“ATIC is proud to support Australian tourism businesses to implement more inclusive business practices and make adjustments to accommodate visitors with accessibility requirements, just as our six national finalists have demonstrated so well,” Ms McLeod said.

ATIC’s Accessible Tourism program assists tourism businesses in understanding and implementing accessible tourism practices. The Accessible Tourism program is part of a suite of ATIC programs supported by the Australian Government to assist small, medium, and regional tourism businesses to enhance their quality, accessibility, and sustainability.

“With the support of the Australian Government and our recently established national partnership with Spinal Life Australia, we will continue to advocate for improvements in accessible tourism within Australia to see better inclusion for all visitors, both domestic and international,” Ms McLeod said.

Spinal Life Australia, a sponsor of the upcoming 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, hopes that the new accessible tourism award will inspire more of the nation’s tourism industry to continue making meaningful changes to welcome more visitors with accessibility needs.

“We are thrilled to see tourism businesses recognised for demonstrating Excellence in Accessible Tourism, and look forward to seeing more inclusive tourism products, experiences and services become available across Australia in time for next year’s Awards,” Spinal Life Australia CEO Mark Townend said.

“The accessible tourism market is continuing to grow, so now is the time for tourism businesses to make changes to improve their access and inclusion to reach more potential customers.”

On receiving the news that The Accessible Group is vying for the coveted national Gold award, Founder Kerry Williams, told AccomNews “It is fabulous that the spotlight shines bright on accessible tourism, with such an incredible group of businesses recognised as finalists.

“Accessible tourism is a booming sector, not just travellers with disabilities; but our ever-increasing ageing population.”

Read Kerry’s regular column in the print edition of AccomNews HERE

The 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards ceremony will take place on Friday March 15, 2024 in Darwin, Northern Territory. For information about the awards, go HERE.