Personal Travel Manager Michelle Aitken was among the esteemed delegates who recently participated in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference in the Asia Pacific (AITCAP), an annual gathering dedicated to fostering growth and connectivity within the accessible and inclusive travel sector.
During the conference held on April 28 at SeaWorld on the Gold Coast and organised by getaboutable.com, Michelle Aitken, a Personal Travel Manager from Victoria, highlighted the findings of a comprehensive report authored by the event’s Master of Ceremonies, Giovanna Lever.
Shedding a light on the magnitude, opportunities, and obstacles associated with travel for individuals with disabilities, the report revealed that people with disabilities contributed a staggering $11 billion to the Australian tourism market (both domestic and international) in 2018.
More recent data indicate that this figure has surged to approximately $13.5 billion in 2021.
Despite this substantial spending power, there continue to be pervasive issues concerning accessible accommodation, air travel, and transportation.
Aitken strongly believes that the accessible and inclusive travel sector is presently undervalued and overlooked by many within the travel industry.
However, her attendance at AITCAP proved invaluable in connecting her with several operators who are already making significant strides in the realm of accessible and inclusive tourism.
Aitken says her personal and professional experiences have fueled her keen interest in accessible and inclusive travel.
Alongside managing her own needs and those of her family members, she has organised numerous large overseas groups on behalf of Interchange Outer East, a Disability Support Organisation based in Melbourne.
This hands-on involvement has deepened her commitment to facilitating seamless holiday experiences for families.
“I am passionate about making it easier for families to holiday together, regardless of the disabilities they may be living with,” Aitken explains. “Asking the right questions is crucial in comprehending their requirements and providing them with the utmost experience.”
For Personal Travel Managers like Aitken, this entails developing the essential skills to identify and accommodate the diverse needs of their clients, particularly individuals with ‘hidden disabilities,’ which currently make up around 95 per cent of all disabilities in Australia.
“A holiday should be an enjoyable experience for everyone,” she emphasises.
“With Australia’s aging population on the rise, the demand for travel professionals who genuinely understand how to address their clients’ needs will only grow in significance.
“I envision our industry moving beyond perceiving this as a niche market so that we can collectively excel at catering to the requirements of every traveller,” she says.
For more information on TravelManagers, visit join.travelmanagers.com.au
