IN FOCUS


Assistance is improving at airports and other travel venues


Disabilities are not just about mobility


and loyal client following who would otherwise simply stay at home”. Inclu Travel recently verified its


first hotel, Amilla Maldives, and has ambitions to create a portfolio of Inclu- verified brands. “The team at Amilla have gone through training and the property has equipment like beach wheelchairs – they’re now very confident dealing with any type of guest,” Pearson says. “If they can do it in the Maldives, why are we not doing it everywhere else?” Specialist operator Enable Holidays also audits all of its supplier partners to ensure they meet stringent requirements for travellers with greater needs, and insists inspections must go beyond assessing facilities such as ramps and lifts. “We always like to give clients something different, so in certain areas you’ve got accessible golf, scuba diving or paragliding,” general manager Ben Kirby says. “We have wheelchair users that are adrenaline-junkies and they want to have the same experiences [as everyone else].”


My bookings are always for three or four rooms because [the


disabled customer] is travelling with


carers and extended family members


The community shouldn’t be


underestimated. Pearson says her affluent client base would rather splash out on one or two luxury holidays a year than several mediocre ones. The benefit for the brands getting it right? All-important loyalty.


High-value bookings “I had a large booking travelling last Christmas in the UK and it was such hard work,” Pearson says. “It was a £30,000 booking and we had three accessible rooms, but there was no hoist for them to get into the pool – in a five-star spa. It’s so wrong. They just don’t get it. That client would’ve gone back year after year.” She adds: “I also don’t think I’ve


ever just booked one room for a client. There’s always a minimum of three or four rooms because they’re travelling with carers and extended family members.” One brand reaping the rewards of an


inclusive mindset is Àni Private Resorts, a collection of exclusive-use coastal retreats across Thailand, Sri Lanka and the


30 ASPIRE JANUARY 2024


aspiretravelclub.co.uk


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