THE SPANISH TOURIST OFFICE HOSTS ACCESSIBILITY PANEL

THE SPANISH TOURIST OFFICE HOSTS ITS FIRST TRAVEL INDUSTRY ADVISORY PANEL ON ACCESSIBILITY

The Spanish Tourist Office has run its first advisory panel to identify key challenges and opportunities for accessible tourism as part of its latest ‘Spain for All’ campaign. The advisory panel, comprised of travel industry professionals, accessibility experts, and people from the disabled community with additional input from ‘Spain for All’ ambassador, TV presenter and former professional wheelchair basketball player, Ade Adepitan.

The session, which was the first in a series of three, was moderated by accessibility consultant, Angus Drummond, founder of Limitless Travel. A passionate traveller, Angus' life took a transformative turn when he was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy in his early twenties. Leaving his career in investment banking, Angus embarked on global exploration, only to discover the profound lack of information and accessibility for disabled travellers. Determined to make a difference, Angus founded Limitless Travel upon returning home. The company now takes 1,000 guests on accessible, inclusive, and supported holidays worldwide each year.

The focus of the first advisory panel session was on changing mindsets and focusing on solutions, rather than problems with key topics including:

• The importance of the feedback loop between end-users and service providers
• Overcoming fear by sharing information and best practice  
• A blueprint for digital accessibility 
• Government & legislation and the impact on accessible development
• The commercial opportunity & investment into accessible travel

Manuel Butler, Director of the Spanish Tourist Office, says:

“I am delighted to launch the first advisory panel on accessibility as part of our ‘Spain for All’ campaign. It was fantastic to hear from a range of accessibility experts and people with lived experiences of disability in order to guide the Spanish Tourist Office’s accessibility strategy. Spain aspires to be a welcoming destination with high-quality services that consider universal accessibility, and listening to experts is a key step along this journey. I look forward to the next advisory panel session.”

Panel Members:

Angus Drummond, Founder, Limitless Travel (moderator)

Atlyn Forde, CEO, Communicate Inclusively

Amanda Norey, Executive Recruitment Consultant, Gail Kenny

Anthony William, Founder, The World is Accessible

Angie Hills, Head of Destinations, ABTA

Ben Kirby, CEO, Enable Holidays

Harry Wales, Founder, Travelosophers 

Jonathan Fletcher, CEO, Wheelie Good Travel

Marina Snellingberg, PRM & Accessibility Manager, TUI

Monica Molina, Senior Sustainability Consultant, Sustainability Solutions (Barcelona) 

Paula Hansen, Managing Director, World Accessible Holidays 

Susan Deer, Director of Industry Relations, ABTA

Sassy Wyatt, Accessibility and travel consultant, Blind Girl Adventures

Manuel Butler, Director, The Spanish Tourist Office (UK)

Jesús Ruiz, Head of Sustainability & Impact, Spanish Tourist Office (UK)

Miguel Carrasco, Development Director & Director of Tourism, Impulsa Igualdad / Tur4All (Spain)

Stelena Angelova, Technician, Impulsa Igualdad / Tur4All (Spain)

Kate McWilliams, Managing Director, LOTUS