Year of Accessible Tourism
Posted on November 8th, 2022
2023 has been declared the Year of Accessible Tourism in Queensland. The Year of Accessible Tourism will work to change the perception of what it means to be an accessible tourism business; with tourism businesses supported to develop a wider range of accessible tourism itineraries and promote accessible tourism destinations and experiences in Queensland.
The launch of an Accessible Tourism in Queensland project last year was delivered in consultation with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and relevant regional tourism organisations.
As part of the project, tourism infrastructure accessibility and tourism business capability was assessed in six Queensland tourism destinations:
- Brisbane and surrounds
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast
- Townsville and the Outback, and
- Cairns and the surrounding region.
Assessments and suitable itineraries are due later this year.
Under the Year of Accessible Tourism the state government will further extend the project to another six tourism regions:
- Bundaberg
- Capricorn
- Gladstone
- Mackay
- Southern Queensland, and
- the Whitsundays
The project has been led by specialist travel agency TravAbility, and Australian-owned disability enterprise Get Skilled Access – founded by the 2022 Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott.
$12 million in funding to create opportunities for Queensland tourism operators as part of the Year of Accessible Tourism. The funding will support small to medium size tourism and events businesses to develop or enhance accessibility for people of all abilities. It will also help change the perception of what it means to be an accessible tourism business and will promote accessible tourism destinations and experiences in Queensland.
The State Government’s $12 million investment in the 2023 Year of Accessible Tourism includes:
- $10 million Accessible Tourism Fund for small to medium tourism businesses to build infrastructure and install technology to assist travellers with an impairment
- $1 million to raise awareness of accessibility needs and services
- $1 million to promote accessible Queensland visitor experiences.
