FRONTLINE
everywhere. I’ve never really advertised; it’s all referrals and word-of-mouth. With accessible travel, you’re caring and thorough, which I bring to my mainstream customers too. Accessible clients have different needs and aspirations, so I sell cruise, luxury, beach and adventure travel. I work a lot with customers’ occupational therapists and claims case managers – if somebody has had a car crash, for example, they may have become paraplegic. If that customer wants to go on holiday again, it means a lot of hand-holding, confidence-giving and factual information. If I don’t think something is right for them, I’ll say so. Disability needs can vary – wheelchair users may need grab rails at different heights, or seats in the shower. My role is finding out those needs, then fitting travel.
Q. Tell us about Mobility At Sea. They are based in Southampton, supplying mobility aids for cruise ships. I’ll book the cruise, then speak to Mobility at Sea for an adjustable bed, shower chair, hoist or scooter. It’s in the cabin when that client boards. Ships are so accessible; once you’re on, you don’t have to worry about the restaurant or seeing a show. Just unpack and relax with your equipment there.
ALI PARKER
The Travel Counsellors homeworker talks to Samantha Mayling about specialising in accessible travel
Q. How has your travel career evolved? After school, I travelled the world for three years, then went into the industry because I was a ‘people person’. I worked for Austravel in London and Bristol, then a cruise operator in Cheltenham. I moved to Accessible Travel & Leisure in Gloucestershire, selling cruise, then access-auditing hotels, transfers, equipment hire and beaches, before the tour operation closed.
Q. Why did you join Travel Counsellors in 2018? I loved their caring, personal approach; they were always so knowledgeable. My first Travel Counsellors booking came after training about Norway – my client, a wheelchair user, had the most amazing time. My clients trust that I can arrange the best experience. Being with Travel Counsellors gave me the freedom and global backing to put these trusted holidays together.
Q. How did business develop? It evolved quickly. With two children, I networked with school and rugby mums and talked about travel
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Q. How do Travel Counsellors and agents help each other? We work a lot as teams, which is brilliant. Some agents get nervous; they feel accessible travel is a big responsibility, so I can help. Travel Counsellors agents came into their own with the Middle East. We could see flights getting disrupted, so we rang clients to sort them out. When you have that relationship, people trust you. Clients are still prioritising travel, but reassurance and expertise matter more than ever. Head office support is amazing, and customers always come first. The motto is: Are we doing the right thing for clients? Feeling supported as an agent means we support our clients confidently.
Q. Do you go to many events? Yes – suppliers are very proactive and you always learn something. Networking is key. TC Together events have been great. One client, a family with a child who has complex needs, wanted to go to the Seychelles. A lady from Seychelles’ tourist board was there and within 10 minutes I had the contacts. It transformed the holiday. Investing my time lets me develop partnerships at hotels.
Q. How does it help to earn Gold status for top-performing agents? I reached Gold again this year. On a Gold trip last year to South Africa, I visited an accessible safari lodge. It took my breath away, as it had a full hoist and accessible safari truck. One of my clients went – he’s a paraplegic after an accident. He rang me in tears, saying: “I’m by the pool with a beer. There’s a watering hole, and we have elephants; it’s incredible.” He got a tattoo of the lodge logo. It’s not just a business, you get involved emotionally, which is fabulous. It’s a privilege to do what I do.
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Q. HOW DOES THE INDUSTRY SUPPORT ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL?
It has improved over the years. Suppliers are more forthcoming with information but we need
more pictures of hotel bedrooms and bathrooms. From years of
experience, I have relationships with hoteliers and am respected in the industry. The industry is segmented – airlines, airport ground staff and transfers – so you’re always bouncing
between suppliers. We don’t flow as well as we should, and I’m an advocate of trying to make that smoother. I don’t think accessible travel is a niche. A client may need a barrier-
free holiday because they had a hip replacement or knee operation. Airport assistance or private transfers make their life easier. I access-audit a lot of hotels, because my questions go beyond just the room.
When I’ve taken my family to Mauritius, Sri Lanka or cruising, I’m always looking on behalf of clients. I went to Chicago with United Airlines in business class, and did an Instagram video – I had comments like: “Ali, thank you so much for showing how someone would get into a seat.” The tourist board said
they would put a tour together with accessible vehicles.
Ali at the Mar Y Sol Aparthotel, Tenerife
travelweekly.co.uk
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