Paralympian and accessibility advocate Dylan Alcott headlines Destination Q tourism forum 2023

Paralympian and accessibility advocate and former Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott is a keynote speaker for next month’s Destination Q tourism forum at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Alcott is a leading inclusion advocate for Australians living with disability and in Queensland’s Year of Accessible Tourism will deliver Destination Q’s main presentation.

Alcott shared “I am extremely excited to be involved in the Destination Q Forum in Cairns, particularly in the Year of Accessible Tourism in Queensland.

“It’s so important to invest in helping our hardworking tourism operators understand the importance of implementing greater accessibility and inclusion into their visitor experience.

“Queensland is such a beautiful and fun place to visit, and it should be accessible for everyone to enjoy.”

Celebrity brand guru Todd Sampson and economic commentator Nikki Hutley will join Dylan Alcott as Destination Q speakers.

Better tourism accessibility is a recommendation of the industry led Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap to promote Queensland as the world’s all-abilities destination of choice, ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Queensland Government is investing $12 million to support the state’s tourism operators to fast-track staff training, and accessibility and inclusivity upgrades of tourism infrastructure and visitor experiences.

Applications have also opened on a $5 million round of Accessible Tourism Elevate Fund Access Starter and Access Project grants for Queensland’s Year of Accessible Tourism.

Access Project Grants of up to $250,000 are open to eligible tourism operators, not-for-profits, Regional Tourism Organisations and local governments. 

Destination Q during Tourism Week in Cairns is presented by the Queensland Government, Tourism and Events Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC).

Local State Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy notes “Tourism operators in Tropical North Queensland have long understood the importance of accessible and inclusive infrastructure and visitor experiences.

“From snorkelling the Reef to accommodation, social media influencers are already testing the accessibility of Tropical North Queensland’s tourism experiences and telling the world.

“It’s a triumph to welcome Dylan Alcott to Destination Q in Cairns to inspire more tourism operators to transform their businesses for an inclusive and resilient visitor economy.”

QTIC Chief Executive Brett Fraser adds “It is fantastic to welcome a world-leading voice in accessibility at this year’s Destination Q Forum in Cairns. The insights shared by Dylan will be invaluable for all those attending.

“Many tourism operators are excited to make their experiences more accessible and inclusive for guests. Listening to and learning from those with lived experience will help to better our visitor offerings and provide a starting point for improvement.

“Accessible tourism not only benefits those living with a disability, but it also enriches the travel experience for everyone. It’s about creating a more inclusive Queensland that everyone can explore and enjoy.

“Dylan’s shared perceptions will no doubt aid in breaking down barriers and will generate industry discussion on inclusivity.”

For more information about Destination Q, visit: https://www.destq.com.au

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