accessible tourism qld

Accessible tourism

Kangaroo Island, South Australia © Tourism Australia

Accessible tourism is the ongoing endeavour to ensure tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities, or age. 

The accessible tourism community can include people with a disability, long-term health condition, or mobility needs, along with their accompanying companions. This can include individuals with, limited mobility, including the use of wheelchairs and scooters, low vision, low hearing, cognitive impairment, autism, allergies, and intolerances. Other visitors can also benefit from improved access including, the elderly, those with temporary needs, mobility issues or medical conditions, parents with prams, multi-generational family groups.

Research shows the substantial economic impact to tourism of this segment. Tourism Research Australia’s National Visitor Survey shows that in 2021, travel groups including people with a disability or a long-term health condition in Australia accounted for $13.5 billion (17% of total) of domestic day and overnight trip spend. Tourism Australia’s Future of Demand Research (2022) also showed that around a quarter (24%) of international travellers considering Australia have an accessibility need and many more (86%) indicated that accessibility influences their choice of destination.

What is the difference between accessible and inclusive tourism?

Tourism Australia has a strategic focus on accessible and inclusive tourism. The organisation aims to raise awareness of and capability for accessible and inclusive tourism, to better deliver on the accessibility needs of visitors to Australia. It focuses on advocacy, thought leadership and education across it’s owned marketing channels and engagement with industry.  

Tourism Australia is a proud foundation partner of the Shift 20 Initiative launched by the Dylan Alcott Foundation in 2023. The initiative, founded by Friend of Australia  Dylan Alcott  AO, focuses on increasing disability representation, inclusion, and accessibility in Australian advertising. Alongside some of Australia’s well-known brands our focus is on improving the representation of accessibility and inclusivity in our tourism industry.

Accredited access consultants and architects can assist you with accessibility design in the built environment. Visit the Association of Consultants in Access Australia to find a consultant, or Australian Institute of Architects to find an architect for your project. Below is a range of consultancies specialising in tourism and travel.

Australia is for everyone. Get tips on travelling in Australia with a disability and learn how to make your trip unforgettable. Find out more about accessible travel around Australia on Australia.com , or find a range of further resources below.

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We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

*Disclaimer:  The information on this website is presented in good faith and on the basis that Tourism Australia, nor their agents or employees, are liable (whether by reason of error, omission, negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any statement, information or advice given in this website. Tourism Australia wishes to advise people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent that this website may contain images of persons now deceased.

• Content Type News
• Published At 16/10/2021

Queensland Launches Accessibility Accreditation Module Of The Australian Tourism Industry Council

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Launched on World Tourism Day, 27th September 2021, the Accessibility Accreditation Module forms part of Australia’s national Quality Tourism Framework.

By Bill Forrester, Travability

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive social and economic impact. Both developed and developing economies have been hit. And marginalized groups and the most vulnerable have been hit hardest of all.

The restart of tourism will help kickstart recovery and growth. It is essential that the benefits this will bring are enjoyed widely and fairly.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has therefore designated World Tourism Day 2021 as a day to focus on “Tourism for Inclusive Growth.”

It is great to see that the Queensland Tourism Industry Council has launched the Accessibility Accreditation Module, which forms part of Australia’s national Quality Tourism Framework.

Developed by the ATIC in consultation with TravAbility, the Accessibility self-assessment module aims to help businesses evaluate how inclusive their experience offering is for people with a disability.

The module will be available via the Quality Tourism Framework online dashboard and aims to increase visibility of accessible experiences and encourage tourism businesses to make adjustments that will accommodate more visitors of all abilities.

The accreditation system addresses services for several categories of visitors: those with limited mobility, wheelchair and scooter users, those with low vision and low hearing, those with cognitive impairments/autism and those with allergies and intolerances.

Further reading

Article at Travability

The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory

Grants open to support businesses in 2023 Year of Accessible Tourism

Published Tuesday, 21 March, 2023 at 01:27 PM

Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

• Applications open for $9 million grants to improve accessibility for tourism experiences as part of $12 million Accessible Tourism Queensland Fund.
• 2023 Year of Accessible Tourism recognises the untapped potential surrounding accessible tourism of $1.8 billion per annum when including the travel party.
•  Palaszczuk Government announced as major sponsor for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference on the Gold Coast on 28 April.

Applications are now open for $8 million Accessible Tourism Infrastructure grants of between $25,000 to $500,000 to support small to medium sized tourism and events businesses to improve accessibility through infrastructure upgrades, assistive equipment and technology.

Applications are also now open for the new $1 million Accessible Tourism Enablers grants providing between $50,000 to $250,000 to support not-for-profit peak and disability services organisations to make products that make visitor experiences more inclusive.

Minister for Tourism and Sport Stirling Hinchliffe joined Paralympian Rachael Watson AOM at Brisbane’s Riverlife kayaking adventures this morning to open the grants ahead of tomorrow’s Brisbane 2032 Legacy Forum.

The new grants are part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $12 million investment in the 2023 Year of Accessible Tourism, an exciting opportunity to demonstrate Queensland’s commitment to making Brisbane 2032 the world’s most accessible and inclusive sporting event.

The strategy recognises the enormous untapped potential surrounding accessible tourism of $735 million per annum or $1.8 billion per annum when including the travel party.

The Palaszczuk Government has also signed on as a major sponsor for the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference on the Gold Coast on 28 April run by GetAboutAble .

Queensland’s Year of Accessible Tourism kicked-off with the release of a free online accessible tourism toolkit earlier this year developed by Get Skilled Access (GSA) and TravAbility in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport.

As part of the project, GSA and TravAbility worked with Regional Tourism Organisations in Greater Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Fraser Coast, Townsville, Outback Queensland and Cairns to assess tourist infrastructure accessibility and tourism business capability. 

Throughout this year, six more tourist destinations will be assessed - Bundaberg, Capricorn, Gladstone, Mackay, the Whitsundays, and Southern Queensland.

For more information, visit www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/accessible-tourism/year-of-accessible-tourism .

Quotes attributable to the Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe:

“These grants will support upgrades of accessible visitor infrastructure and technology that will further enhance Queensland’s reputation as an all-abilities destination of choice.

“More and more people with a disability and their families are looking for travel options that can cater to their needs.

“We want this year to be the transformation that creates an enduring legacy for Queensland as an inclusive, world-class visitor destination.

“Queensland’s great lifestyle and world-class visitor experiences are too good not to be enjoyed by everyone.”

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser:

“Everyone deserves to enjoy a Queensland holiday or experience and ability shouldn’t serve as a barrier to this enjoyment.

“With 1 in 5 Australians identifying as living with a disability or specific accessibility requirements, we’re committed to improving Queensland’s visitor offerings and to making our state a world-leader in accessibility.

“Tourism businesses are often the first port of call when visitors come to stay and play. What better way to build a more welcoming and inclusive Queensland than through our accessible guest experiences. 

“We know that many tourism operators will jump at the chance to improve their visitor offerings through this support package.”

Get Skilled Access Principal Consultant Zack Alcott:

“Queensland’s commitment to accessible tourism is industry leading and will improve the travel experience and opportunities for participation in tourism activities for people with disability.

“To be accessible means providing products and services in a way that ensures people of all abilities can visit and experience your business – whether it is a tourism experience or any other business, and that they feel welcomed as guests with equity and dignity.

“Get Skilled Access is proud to be working with the Queensland Government towards accessible tourism and supporting businesses to better cater to visitors of all abilities.”

Media contact – 0437 859 987

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Accessible tourism

One in 5 Australians have a disability. Making your tourism business accessible is not only the right thing to do, it makes good business sense.

Tourism Australia defines accessible tourism as the ongoing endeavour to ensure tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people regardless of their physical limitations, disability, or age.

People with access requirements include:

• those with young children in prams
• seniors with mobility requirements
• people with hearing, vision or sensory impairments
• people with permanent or temporary disabilities.

Access requirements may include physical/mobility, vision and/or cognitive.

Our checklists, learning videos and podcasts can help you make sure everyone can take part in your tourism experience.

Online learning videos

The accessible tourism online learning videos cover a range of topics so you can feel confident in welcoming guests with a range of access requirements into your business.

Igniting accessible experiences

This 6 episode podcast series is designed to help you make your tourism services more accessible and inclusive. Hosts Ben Pettingill and Bridie McKim talk with people with disability and tourism operators to uncover insights from both perspectives, shedding light on the experience of accessing and providing accessible tourism.

Episodes and playlists are available on Spotify and Apple .

Accessed That

Accessed That explores what it's like to travel as a person with a disability through this 11-episode podcast series. Hosts Oliver Hunter, a comedian with Cerebral Palsy, and Paralympic swimmer Karni Liddell, chat to travel lovers about their experience navigating the world, hearing the highs, the lows and the low down from the people who have been there, accessed that.

Delivering world-class, accessible tourism products and experiences can expand your market reach, attract more visitors and grow expenditure for your tourism business.

• Quality Tourism Accredited Business accessibility program
• Micro-credentialing program for offering services to guests with disability
• Accessible and inclusive host business development program
• Transformational experiences guide (PDF, 11.4MB)
• The WELCOME Framework guide to start the accessible tourism journey and reduce barriers.

Discover ways to make venues and activities more accessible.

• Activity access information template (DOCX, 63KB)
• Venue access information template (DOCX, 65KB)
• Accessibility built environment checklist (PDF, 635KB)
• Assistance animals in businesses, public passenger vehicles and places of accommodation

For many tourists with disability and accessibility requirements, the journey starts online. Planning and researching a trip can take place across multiple platforms so it is vital websites and digital resources are accessible.

• Accessible communication and brand guidelines (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Inclusive language and disability etiquette guide (PDF, 26.7MB)

Learn how to organise accessible and inclusive events.

• Accessible events

Organisations representing a particular disability sector in your region can provide valuable information specific to your tourism business requirements.

• Queensland Disability Network
• Autism Queensland
• Braille House
• Better Hearing Australia Brisbane
• Carers Queensland
• Council of the Aging Queensland
• Deaf Connect
• Down Syndrome Queensland
• Guide Dogs Queensland
• Queensland Alliance for Mental Health
• Spinal Life Australia
• Xavier Children's Support Network

Accredited access consultants and architects can assist you with accessibility design in the built environment:

• Association of Consultants in Access Australia
• Australian Institute of Architects

Also consider...

• Subscribe to accessible tourism news .
• Be inspired by Queensland tourism case studies putting accessibility into action .
• Support to employ people with disabilities .
• Tourism accessibility projects should align with the Queensland's Disability Plan .
• Last reviewed: 11 Jul 2024
• Last updated: 11 Sep 2024

• Funding programs

Boosting Accessible Tourism Experiences Grant

Funding to support the development and enhancement of tourism products and smaller scale infrastructure to make it more accessible.

The $1 million Boosting Accessible Tourism Experiences Grant provides funding support for sole traders and small tourism and events businesses to develop and/or enhance accessibility.

It is part of the Queensland Government’s $12 million investment to support delivery of a package of initiatives to enhance and develop accessible tourism products and to raise awareness about accessible tourism experiences in Queensland.

The Year of Accessible Tourism supports key actions in the Towards Tourism 2032 strategy .

Applications for the Grant are now closed.

The key objectives of the Fund are to support projects that will:

• increase the number of tourism and events businesses that are delivering exceptional and accessible customer experiences
• have a positive impact for the community through improved accessibility to visitors
• support and provide opportunities to the tourism and events industry to make improvements to accessibility for visitors and workers with disability.

Successful applicants

The Boosting Accessible Tourism Experiences Grant is providing more than $1.15 million in total support to 82 projects across all 13 tourism regions of Queensland.

The Boosting Accessible Tourism Experiences Grant guidelines (PDF, 491KB) contains detailed information regarding the grant.

More information

For enquiries related to an existing application, please contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946 or email [email protected] .

Last updated: 10 Jan 2023