Press release -
Access All Areas
The Chief Executive of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will highlight simple yet effective ways in which Scottish businesses can adapt to ensure they provide a warm welcome to a sector worth £325 million to the Scottish economy.
On 12 March, David Grevemberg will be among a number of industry experts and speakers at the inaugural Accessible Tourism Conference in Edinburgh.
Organised by VisitScotland, the conference will inspire the Scottish tourism industry to think about the numerous innovative ways in which they can make their businesses more accessible.
Accessibility issues affect a range of people: from those with physical disabilities to mental health conditions; parents with small children to senior travellers; and people with temporary injuries.
Simple steps include ensuring that information on websites is accurate and easy to read and maintaining eye contact with deaf customers to help them to lip-read.
The conference will feature a number of demonstrations, including teams from Guide Dogs for the Blind and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, showing how the dogs provide invaluable support to people with visual and hearing disabilities.
It is hoped that highlighting and promoting accessibility solutions and initiatives will give a further boost to the multi-million-pound accessible tourism sector.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “While a great number of Scotland’s accommodation providers and visitor attractions provide excellent facilities and warm welcomes for visitors with access needs, there is still some work to be done and we can never be complacent, especially as we prepare to welcome the world in 2014.
“During this conference, we aim to help give the industry the tools with which to make the most of the accessible tourism market. Research tells us that this is a hugely loyal market who, if welcomed with a great first impression, will come back time and time again. I encourage tourism businesses throughout Scotland to attend the conference and discover what more they can offer this potentially lucrative sector.”
Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said: “The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will see 6,500 athletes and officials travel to the city and Scotland and a million spectator tickets will be on sale. It’s an exciting event that will be viewed by an international television audience of around 1.5 billion and our ambition is to show the Games as inclusive and accessible as possible.
“We want to use the power of the Games to change attitudes by celebrating diversity in everything we do and by delivering a truly inclusive sports programme – which already boasts the biggest-ever number of Para-Sports medal events in Commonwealth Games history. Welcoming, accessible venues as well as inclusive communications are key to ensuring everyone has a great Games experience.
"While Glasgow and Scotland already have a great reputation for tourism, the Games provides a driver for positive change for improving accessibility within the tourism and hospitality industry. And simple changes will make a big difference.
“We are delighted to be able to play our part in showcasing the renowned warm Glaswegian and Scottish welcome to visitors from around the world.”
Elspeth Molony, Senior Policy and Consultancy Manager at Capability Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this conference which will help the tourism industry become more accessible and welcoming to disabled tourists from home and abroad. Our research has found that good customer service for disabled people needn’t cost the earth – it’s about positive attitudes, good information and a willingness to be flexible about the way services are provided. Companies that recognise this will reap the benefits from repeat business and positive word of mouth advertising.”
Part of Scottish Tourism Week, the conference takes place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 12 March. Places are free but limited. Those interested in attending can register at www.accessibletourismscotland.eventbrite.com
Case studies are available on request
ENDS
For further information contact:
Tom Maxwell Corporate Press Officer Tel: 0131 472 2409 tom.maxwell@visitscotland.com Out of hours media enquiries: 07699 766986 |
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- corporate communications
- glasgow 2014 commonwealth games
- accessible tourism
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors:
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation has three key roles:
- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
- To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
- To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com
- The VisitScotland Information Centre network is a unique face-to-face channel engaging with around five million visitors and locals each year. Everyone who uses a VisitScotland Information Centre goes on to spend an additional £5.35, generating over £24 million for Scotland’s economy.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, tourism employs 270,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the industry contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
- For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx
