UK Government Launches Accessible Tourism Guidance for Businesses in Preparation for London Olympic and Paralympic Games, 2012

Margaret Hodge, Member of Parliament and Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Sport launched today a leaflet setting out the advantages for businesses of preparing themselves to welcome both domestic and foreign visitors with access needs at the forthcoming London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In the introduction to the leaflet, "Accessible tourism: Making it work for your business", she states:

"By making your own hotel, guesthouse or tourist site more accessible, you are instantly making your business more attractive to at least 11 million potential disabled visitors from here in England, and millions more from abroad. Visitors who travel frequently, stay longer than average, and spend more per trip."

"You should make sure your business is as welcoming and accessible to everyone including those with disabilities. Some see that as a financial burden. Not so. As well as being fair to the one in five of us who have a disability of some sort or other, it is actually a sound financial investment to improve your bottom line and your business’s future."

"Read on and you see why that is the case. You will find ideas on improving your business, links to tax breaks and advice on promoting yourself to a new market with huge potential. My advice is to act now, and be ready in good time for the boom in tourism right across the UK that will come as we approach the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

The 16-page, illustrated guidance leaflet was produced on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)  "Accessible Tourism Stakeholder Forum for the 2012 Games", which includes:

Tourism for All
VisitEngland
The London Development Agency
InterContinental Hotels Group IHG
British Hospitality Association
South East of England Development Agency
Employers’ Forum on Disability
 

Download the document in PDF and RFT formats from the DCMS website