Visit West's Accessibility and Inclusion Hub
The UK is working towards becoming 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.
Whether you're just starting your accessibility journey or building on what you already offer, we have resources, support, and partnerships to help you create an accessible and inclusive welcome for every visitor.
Visit West Accessibility Champions
Scroll down to find out more and explore our resources and opportunities.
One in five people in the UK have an impairment that may affect where they choose to stay or visit. This makes Accessible Tourism a huge and growing market.
People with health conditions and impairments, along with their travelling companions, spend over £14.6 billion on trips in England each year (otherwise known as the 'Purple Pound'). Research by VisitBritain shows that a further £117 million could be generated from additional trips if accessibility was improved.
Crucially, one person with accessibility requirements can influence the travel plans of an entire group. Getting accessibility right doesn't just open your doors to more visitors, it can grow your whole customer base.
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 deliver that welcome at every stage of the visitor journey, from looking and booking to arriving and getting around.
Investing in accessibility helps support the region, our businesses, visitors, and the local community to:
- Attract, grow and delight visitors
- Help businesses grow and thrive
- Serve our local communities
- Secure investment for a sustainable future
- Improve customer service and the visitor experience for all
- Meet the needs of underserved markets e.g. disabled people
- Respond to changing markets e.g. an ageing population
- Tap into the growth of 3G family holidays and breaks (where 3 generations of a family travel together)
- Ensure that valuable business is not lost: one person with accessibility requirements can influence a whole group's travel plans
- Contribute to sustainable and responsible tourism product development
- Support resilience and recovery in times of crisis e.g. the COVID 19 pandemic
- Create more job opportunities for disabled people
- Boost our image as a destination
Visit West works in partnership with VisitEngland, AccessAble, WECIL, Disability Inc, and a range of local and national organisations and individuals to support businesses across the region at every stage of their accessibility journey. Our goal is to give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to offer an inclusive welcome for all.
Together, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the very best experiences our region has to offer.
Ready to take the next step? Our Accessibility & Inclusion Resources and Opportunities page brings together practical tools, training, funding, guides, and support networks to help you move forward.
Hear from businesses like yours
Businesses across the West of England, at every stage of their accessibility journey, have shared how they've made their venues more accessible and inclusive. From adapting historic buildings and installing Changing Places toilets, to supporting neurodiverse visitors and delivering staff training, their stories are practical, honest, and inspiring.
Are you a Visit West member with an accessibility story to tell? We'd love to feature you, no matter how early in your journey you are.
