Disabled 'feel excluded from overseas travel'
Friday, 16 September 2011 12:00 AM
The industry has been urged to do more to help disabled travellers
The Co-operative Travel has called on the holiday industry to do more to help disabled customers take overseas breaks, following a survey suggesting that a large proportion of this demographic feel that they are not being fully catered for.
More than half (52 per cent) of people with disabilities avoid taking trips abroad because they think that travel agents fail to meet their needs, according to the poll.
Three-quarters (78 per cent) of respondents expressed the belief that mainstream holidays are not suitable for them, while 84 per cent said that holiday providers do not understand the requirements of disabled travellers.
This is despite the fact that, since 1996, it has been unlawful for retailers and agents to treat people with disabilities less favourably than other customers.
Jane Witherington, commercial and market development manager at The Co-operative Travel, pointed out that 6.7 million adults in the UK have a registered disability, accounting for 18 per cent of the population.
She added: "As an industry we need to do more to make an inclusive service easily accessible, enabling greater numbers of people with disabilities to enjoy foreign travel."
As part of its research, the holiday company spoke to Brian Seaman from Tourism For All UK, a national charity that provides information and advice to disabled travellers.
Commenting on the challenges facing these consumers, Mr Seaman said: "It can be a really frustrating experience for people with disabilities planning a trip abroad. Just tracking down suitable accommodation and destinations can be problematic."
The study elicited a response from Abta - The Travel Association, whose trade relations manager Susan Parsons stressed that UK airports have recently made "great strides" to cater for passengers with reduced mobility.
Changes have been made to ensure that airports are in accordance with European legislation designed to make overseas trips a viable option for all.
Ms Parsons added: "It's important people realise that there is assistance available if they need it. Holidaymakers should let their travel agent know preferably at the time of booking if any of their party needs assistance, to access the help that is on offer."
In the section of its website dedicated to accessible travel, Abta advises disabled and less mobile customers to research their destination before setting off to find out about the facilities that are available.
Potential sources of information include reliable guidebooks, disability organisations in the UK and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's travel website.
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