VisitEngland’s new 'Accessible and Inclusive Toolkit for Tourism Businesses' aims to support visitors with accessibility requirements by providing an inclusive welcome, designing accessible buildings, employment and creating quality accessibility information.

VisitEngland, the national tourism organisation of England, has launched its new ‘Accessible and Inclusive Toolkit for Tourism Businesses’ in England.

In a press statement, VisitEngland says that this new toolkit includes practical guidance on providing an inclusive welcome, designing accessible buildings, employing disabled people and creating quality accessibility information.

About 30 organisations, including some of the leading disability charities and tourism and hospitality trade associations, have collaborated to develop the toolkit. It has been launched in a run up to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2023, says the statement.

“It is the Government’s ambition for the United Kingdom to become the most accessible tourism destination in Europe by 2025, as set out in our Tourism Recovery Plan. VisitEngland is playing a crucial role in leading the industry towards achieving this. Its work in this space is respected not just domestically but internationally. I very much support the new toolkit and hope for it to become the go-to resource for visitor economy businesses across England,” says Tourism Minister John Whittingdale. 

“Our research shows that visitors in this important market value clear, concise, accessible information and tourism business want to provide it. We want to support businesses to remove barriers so that visitors with accessibility requirements have the opportunity to enjoy our tourism offer like everyone else. This best-in-class toolkit supports businesses to place accessibility at the centre of their operations, driving improved customer service and their welcome for visitors,” VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes says.

The statement adds that the free toolkit includes case studies, top 20 tips and downloadable business specific actionable checklists to plan and prioritise improvements, as well as technical design guidance.