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TravelManagers LogoBenalla-based travel manager, Michelle Aitken, is spearheading efforts to bring the accessible and inclusive travel sector into the mainstream. Aitken, who represents TravelManagers, recently attended the highly acclaimed Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference in the Asia Pacific (AITCAP), where she joined 190 delegates worldwide to discuss the growth and development of this emerging market.

The annual conference, aimed at promoting connection and fostering growth within the accessible and inclusive travel industry, provided Aitken with valuable insights. Drawing on a report presented by the event’s MC, Giovanna Lever, she highlights the significant contribution people with disabilities make to the Australian tourism market.

TravelManagers’ Michelle Aitken has drawn on her own experiences to understand how best she can understand and fulfill the individual needs of her clients.

TravelManagers’ Michelle Aitken has drawn on her own experiences to understand how best she can understand and fulfil the individual needs of her clients.

According to the report, people with disabilities injected nearly $11 billion into the Australian tourism market in 2018. Recent data indicates that this figure surged to approximately $13.5 billion in 2021. Despite this substantial spending power, the sector faces challenges with accessible accommodation, air travel, and transportation.

Aitken firmly believes that the accessible and inclusive travel sector remains overlooked and under-represented in the broader travel industry. However, her participation in AITCAP revealed many operators are already making significant strides in this space.

Aitken’s personal and professional experiences have fueled her passion for accessible and inclusive travel. In addition to managing her own requirements and those of her family members, she has organized numerous large overseas groups in collaboration with Melbourne-based Disability Support Organization, Interchange Outer East.

“I am driven by the desire to make family holidays easier for everyone, regardless of their disabilities,” Aitken explains. “Understanding their needs and asking the right questions is crucial to providing them with the best possible experience.”

For personal travel managers like Aitken, this means honing the necessary skills to cater to diverse clients. In particular, she emphasizes the importance of addressing the needs of individuals with “hidden disabilities,” representing approximately 95 per cent of all disabilities in Australia.

“While planning a holiday should be a joyous experience for everyone, Australia’s aging population highlights the growing demand for travel professionals who truly understand how to meet their clients’ needs,” Aitken emphasizes. “We need to move beyond viewing this as a niche market and strive to become better at accommodating the needs of every traveler.”

As Aitken leads the charge in mainstreaming the accessible travel sector, industry professionals are encouraged to recognize the immense potential and untapped opportunities in catering to the growing number of travellers with disabilities. By embracing inclusivity and investing in specialized training, the travel industry can create unforgettable experiences for all individuals, irrespective of their abilities.

For more information or to speak to someone confidentially about TravelManagers, please email join.us@travelmanagers.com.au or visit join.travelmanagers.com.au.

 

 

 

Written by: Stephen Morton

 

 

 

 

 

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