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Accessibility

The UK aims to become Europe’s most accessible tourism destination, and Visit West is committed to playing a part in achieving this ambition. We are dedicated to driving accessibility across the regional visitor economy, celebrating quality, inclusivity, and a welcoming environment for all visitors.

One in five people in the U.K. have an impairment, which may affect where they choose to stay or visit. This makes Accessible Tourism a huge and growing market.

People with health conditions and impairments and their travelling companions spend over £14.6 billion on trips in England each year and research by VisitBritain shows that an extra £117 million could be generated from additional trips if accessibility was improved.

Why accessibility matters

At the heart of every visitor economy business lies the customer, and our success as a destination depends on offering the warmest of welcomes to each and every one of them. Ensuring our products and services are accessible to as many people as possible helps to deliver this welcome. Providing inclusive experiences across the entire ‘visitor journey’ from ‘looking and booking’ to visiting and getting around enables us to:

attract and delight visitors
help businesses grow and thrive
serve our local communities
secure investment for a sustainable future

Accessible Tourism supports the West of England region as a whole, our businesses, visitors, and the local community by:

Helping businesses to improve customer service and the visitor experience for all
Meeting the needs of underserved markets e.g. disabled people
Responding to changing markets e.g. an ageing population
Tapping into the growth of 3G family holidays and breaks (where 3 generations of a family travel together)
Ensuring that valuable business is not lost: one person with accessibility requirements can influence a whole group's travel plans
Contributing to sustainable and responsible tourism product development
Growing visitor numbers
Supporting resilience and recovery in times of crisis e.g. the COVID 19 pandemic
Creating more job opportunities for disabled people
Boosting our image as a destination

How can we help you?

By working in partnership with VisitEngland and supporting you, our members and key stakeholders, to improve your accessibility and increase your share of this valuable market. We are aiming to give you the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to offer a warm and inclusive welcome for all.

Whether you’re just starting your accessibility journey or looking to build on your existing efforts, this section provides the guidance, resources, and support you need to create a welcoming environment for all visitors.

Together, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the best experiences our region has to offer.

Support & resources to help you on your accessibility journey...

Inspiration

Accessibility Resources for Businesses

Whether you’re just starting your accessibility journey or looking to build on your existing efforts, this section provides guidance, resources, and support you need to create a welcoming environment for all visitors.
Accessibility Case Studies

Hear from tourism and hospitality businesses across the West of England as they share how they’ve made their venues more accessible and inclusive
VisitEngland Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Toolkit for Businesses

VisitEngland has produced an extensive Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Toolkit for businesses to help them cater to a wider range of customers with disabilities. The toolkit provides practical guidance on various aspects of accessibility, including customer service, physical environment, and inclusive employment.
Adding and updating your accessibility features on your listing

Visit West, alongside VisitEngland and Access and Inclusion UK, have been working to improve the accessibility information provided to visitors to our region. In order to do this effectively, we need to update information about what you, as businesses offer and how we can showcase that information to visitors and customers.
Become a disability confident employer

Guidance about signing up for the Disability Confident scheme, and how it can help your business.
WECIL - Disability Inc. support for businesses

WECIL - Disability Inc offer a range of services tailored to your business to help your organisation, team and workplace be as accessible and inclusive as possible. Their training, access support and consultancy will help you become a diverse, inclusive and dynamic business.
Purple Tuesday social movement

Join the global Purple Tuesday movement and work with us to improve the customer experiences of millions of disabled people and their families 365 days a year.