New accessible and inclusive tourism training program launched by ATEC

The Australian Tourism Export Council’s latest Tourism Training Hub program - Accessible & Inclusive Host – is aimed at helping businesses build their confidence in working with travellers with access needs. 

Estimated to account for around 20% of the travel market, people with a disability and specific needs are an important part of the travel market which every travel business can connect with. 

ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley notes “Accessible travel is a necessity, and every tourism business should embrace the opportunity that our Host program offers to get new ideas on how to improve services.

“Inclusive and accessible travel is about providing the most accessible tourism experience for as wide an audience as possible including visitors with functional and cognitive impairments, senior travellers and even travellers with small children.

“ATEC is very proud of this latest program which has been developed and designed in collaboration with our industry advisory group and inclusive travel advocates and experts.”

Accessible & Inclusive Host is a three-module, on-line, self-directed training program which helps staff to understand the needs of travellers with differing needs, what influences their travel and how to attract and attain these guests.  As a business development program, Accessible & Inclusive Host provides practical learning resources to upskill businesses and help them successfully welcome guests from all life stages, backgrounds and abilities.

The program offers:

• Culture Ready – introduction overview to the market and key aspects of accessible and inclusive culture

• Product Ready – Understanding needs and customising experiences for accessible travellers

• Service Ready – Service expectations and adjusting service delivery for the client

Globally recognised inclusive travel advocate, Martin Heng, has decades of experience in the travel industry. Heng led content development with contributions from travel researcher Carolyn Childs, who together can deliver tailored real-time training for groups and business mentoring.

Participants also receive badging, identifying them as a capable and focused accessible and inclusive travel business.  For more information or to register for the program go to traininghub.atec.net.au/courses/atec-s-accessible-host