The inaugural advisory panel convened by the Spanish Tourist Office marked a significant milestone in their ‘Spain for All’ initiative, aiming to enhance accessible tourism. Travel industry experts, accessibility advocates, and members of the disabled community formed the panel, with insights provided by campaign ambassador Ade Adepitan. The session commenced the series of discussions, facilitated by accessibility consultant Angus Drummond. Propelled by his journey navigating accessibility barriers due to his Muscular Dystrophy diagnosis, Angus transitioned from finance to found Limitless Travel. His company now annually facilitates inclusive holidays for 1,000 guests worldwide.
The panel focused on proactive solutions, emphasizing:
* Improving accessibility for all tourists, regardless of their abilities.
* Providing high-quality services that meet the needs of people with disabilities.
* Increasing awareness of accessible tourism options.
Manuel Butler, Director of the Spanish Tourist Office, expressed his delight at launching the first advisory panel on accessibility as part of the ‘Spain for All’ campaign. He highlighted the importance of listening to experts and people with lived experiences of disability in order to guide the Spanish Tourist Office’s accessibility strategy.
The panel members brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the discussion. They included:
* Angus Drummond, Founder of Limitless Travel (moderator)
* Atlyn Forde, CEO of Communicate Inclusively
* Amanda Norey, Executive Recruitment Consultant at Gail Kenny
* Anthony William, Founder of The World is Accessible
* Angie Hills, Head of Destinations at ABTA
* Ben Kirby, CEO of Enable Holidays
* Harry Wales, Founder of Travelosophers
* Jonathan Fletcher, CEO of Wheelie Good Travel
* Marina Snellingberg, PRM & Accessibility Manager at TUI
* Monica Molina, Senior Sustainability Consultant at Sustainability Solutions (Barcelona)
* Paula Hansen, Managing Director of World Accessible Holidays
* Susan Deer, Director of Industry Relations at ABTA
* Sassy Wyatt, Accessibility and Travel Consultant at Blind Girl Adventures
* Manuel Butler, Director at The Spanish Tourist Office (UK)
* Jesús Ruiz, Head of Sustainability & Impact at Spanish Tourist Office (UK)
* Miguel Carrasco, Development Director & Director of Tourism at Impulsa Igualdad / Tur4All (Spain)
* Stelena Angelova, Technician at Impulsa Igualdad / Tur4All (Spain)
* Kate McWilliams, Managing Director of LOTUS
The Spanish Tourist Office is committed to making Spain a welcoming destination for all, and the ‘Spain for All’ initiative is an important step towards achieving this goal. The advisory panel will meet regularly to discuss progress and identify new opportunities for improvement. The next advisory panel session is scheduled for later this year.
