Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program
Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program
THE GOLD STANDARD FOR ACCESSIBLE TOURISM
Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program – the gold standard for the Tourism Industry.
Travellers with disabilities often face uncertainty when choosing accommodations due to a lack of accurate and current accessibility information.
The Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program changes this by building trust and confidence among these travellers.
This prestigious program rigorously assesses and accredits accommodations, ensuring they meet high standards of accessibility across three tiers of physical disability, as well as three tiers for vision, hearing and sensory disability. When a hotel, resort, Holiday House or holiday park displays their seal, it signifies that their accessible features have been thoroughly vetted and are consistently maintained.
This assurance, backed by a credible and recognized program, eliminates the guesswork for travellers with disabilities, empowering them to make informed decisions confidently. It showcases a commitment to transparency and reliability in accessibility information, fostering a more inclusive and trustworthy travel experience.
For tourism operators, it provides peace of mind by clearly indicating their standing in terms of accessibility, making it easier to attract and retain guests with disabilities. Participating in this program not only enhances guest satisfaction but also positions your business as a leader in accessibility and inclusivity.
Whether you are a hotel, motel, holiday park, short-stay holiday rental or even a glamping or houseboat operator, join Accessible Accommodation’s Tourism Accreditation Program today.
Ten Reasons Why You Should Participate
1. Broader Customer Base:
Joining our Accessible Qualified Program enables tourism businesses to attract a wider audience, including guests with disabilities, thereby expanding their market reach, and therefore boosting your occupancy rate.
21.4% of Australians live with a disability, and as our population ages, seniors increasingly like the convenience of accessible features. In fact, By 2026, more than 22 per cent of Australians will be aged over 65.
2. Guests Book Directly To You:
Although we prefer guests to book through our website (using our direct booking functionality), over 80% use it to gather trustworthy information before booking directly. The investment, equivalent to a standard one night’s stay, is money well spent.
3. Competitive Advantage:
Differentiate your business from your competitors. Being ‘Accessible Qualified’ is a key decision factor for travellers with specific accessibility needs.
4. Adoption by ATDW:
With our Accessible Qualified Accreditation Program now part of the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW), you can indicate your qualification on your ATDW listing to enhance visibility to tourism offices.
5. Enhanced Reputation:
Participating in our Accessible Qualified Accreditation Program can enhance your business reputation, signalling a commitment to inclusivity and quality service for all guests.
6. Enhanced Guest Satisfaction:
Fulfilling our requirements guarantees a more comfortable stay for guests with disabilities, resulting in increased satisfaction and positive reviews.
7. User-Driven Benchmarking Standards:
Our Accessible Qualified Program was collaboratively developed with input from our end users, our followers, who have firsthand knowledge of their needs as a traveller with a disability.
This program offers you the assurance that your services meet the specific criteria desired by these travellers, ensuring peace of mind for both you and your guests.
8. Marketing Promotional Advantage:
The Accessible Qualified Program serves as a valuable marketing asset, enabling tourism providers to showcase their commitment to accessibility, thus strengthening your appeal to a diverse clientele. Participants receive a sticker for their business entrance, a certificate, and digital marketing assets.
9. Social Responsibility (ESG):
The Accessible Qualified Program aligns with social responsibility goals, demonstrating a commitment to equality and inclusivity, which can resonate well with socially conscious travellers. For organisations wishing to secure Environmental, social and governance (ESG), participation is a key advantage.
10. Grant Application Benefits:
Government grants are occasionally available for businesses to enhance accessibility. Being ‘Accessible Qualified’ may improve your status and value proposition when applying for government grants.
There are three tiers for physical disability
There are three tiers for other disabilities
In 2024, we introduced Sensory Assisted, and in 2025 we are launching Vision and Hearing Assisted Categories.
