Australia is setting a new benchmark in accessible tourism, inviting blind and low-vision travellers from North America to explore its world-renowned destinations uniquely immersively. This week, Destination NSW, in collaboration with Sensory Tourism Australia, launched a groundbreaking initiative to showcase Australia’s most accessible travel experiences to North American travel advisors.
Redefining Travel Beyond Sight
Sensory Tourism Australia, an innovative leader in inclusive travel, unveiled its specialized offerings at industry events in Los Angeles and New York. This revolutionary approach shifts the focus from traditional sightseeing to immersive, sensory-rich experiences tailored for travellers with vision impairment.
Founded by the award-winning Cocky Guides, Sensory Tourism Australia has been at the forefront of crafting unique travel packages since 2018. James (Buck) McFarlane, Director and Co-Founder of Sensory Tourism Australia, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating:
“The travel advisors I have met during these events are genuinely excited about our curated ‘stay and discover’ packages. These experiences are thoughtfully designed to accommodate blind and low-vision travelers exploring Australia. Advisors have expressed that they have never seen anything like this in their international portfolios—Australia is truly pioneering a new way of experiencing travel beyond sight.”
With over 8 million blind and low-vision Americans, the market for accessible tourism is vast and largely untapped. Sensory Tourism Australia provides North American travel advisors a rare opportunity to enhance their accessible travel offerings and redefine how international visitors experience Australia.
A Landmark Collaboration with Destination NSW
To ensure a seamless and enriching experience for vision-impaired travellers, Sensory Tourism Australia collaborated with Destination NSW through the NSW First Program. This initiative focuses on making Sydney and regional hotspots—including the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, and Port Stephens—fully accessible and engaging for travellers relying on senses beyond sight.
This strategic partnership aims to position Australia as a leading destination for inclusive travel and set a gold standard for sensory tourism worldwide.
Connecting Directly with the Blind and Low-Vision Community
Beyond engaging with travel professionals, Sensory Tourism Australia is taking its mission directly to the community by exhibiting and sponsoring the National Federation of the Blind California State Conference. This significant event will take place from March 14 to 16 at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Anaheim Resort Convention Center.
Attendees will be able to meet representatives from Sensory Tourism Australia and learn about customized travel experiences designed to engage touch, sound, taste, and smell—creating deeply memorable journeys for travellers who navigate the world differently.
Leading the Charge in Inclusive Tourism
With its forward-thinking initiatives, Australia demonstrates that travel should be an enriching experience for everyone, regardless of ability. Sensory Tourism Australia is not just offering vacations but pioneering a movement that ensures travel is genuinely inclusive.
Visit Sensory Tourism Australia for more information on how blind and low-vision travellers can experience Australia in an entirely new way.
Written by: Bridget Gomez
