Governments Tourism Strategy document, “Tomorrows Tourism” states that tourism should be “inclusive and accessible”. This makes good business sense: -

There are at least 8.5 million disabled people in the UK alone. Of these 2.5 million travel regularly.

By 2009 there will be 2 million more people in the UK over 60 than there are today and age brings a greater chance of disability.

There are 6 million carers in the UK, and a vast majority wish to take holidays with the person they care for.

Many disabled people are not tied to school holidays or weekends for their holidays, allowing for a longer rental season.

Tourism is a tool for social inclusion, and at the moment we are failing to use it. The BBC Accessible travel website highlights that standard travel guides and tourists boards still have little information for disabled travellers. Generally there is no more than a few paragraphs offering basic advice and a couple of useful contacts. Our market research has identified that currently there is very little accommodation specifically designed for disabled people. Accommodation that is available tends to separate the disabled traveller from the local community and is often institutionalised.

Facilities for travelling at airports and train stations are improving all the time, as they now have to comply with the DDA. (Disability Discrimination Act)

The BBC travel website http://www.bbc.co.uk/holiday/accessible_travel/ states that:-

They go on to say that smaller operators are a better option. However, finding a small operator is easier said than done. Disabled Access Holidays intends to overcome this obstacle by being a company specialising in holidays for the disabled. See our Good Investment page for more details of how this can be achieved.