ADVERTORIAL • January 2018
Five things to consider about accessible travel
Making travel even more accessible will benefit millions of people worldwide. Tomas López Fernebrand from Amadeus, a major technology provider for the tourism industry, takes a look at what more can be done to make the aim a reality
It’s a bigger problem than you might imagine
A pioneering study commissioned by Amadeus has found that more than two billion people are affected by poor accessibility as a result of disability and age. Many of these issues are not being addressed, with 15 per cent of the world’s population affected in some way by disability, and estimations that by 2050, one fifth of the world will be over 60 years old.
Greatest barriers to travel
Among the biggest problems facing these travellers are inadequate signage, limited provision for special requests and sparse information on the services in a destination. Some companies ensure an equal experience for all travellers, but a streamlined, simplified platform that accommodates wide-ranging needs is still a long way off for many.
Easy wins
Good, responsive service is essential to any successful trip, and even more so for those with mobility needs. Keeping lines of communication open from the date of booking to the day of travel could provide travellers with information on services that they might not even know they want, allowing them to enhance and personalise their trips. All services should be integrated, standardised and streamlined across online platforms for greater ease.
The use of technology
Technology and data collection are making travel a more enjoyable and more efficient experience. Mobile apps let hotel guests check in without having to queue on arrival, while voice-operated bookings are no longer a futuristic fad for many travel companies. Data can be used to tailor service, while wearable devices allow the visually impaired to get around airports and stations unaided.
The future
Improved service, more accurate information, personalisation and universal standards are key to improving accessibility, and as willingness to travel and disposable incomes grow, the need for solutions does too. It remains a core part of Amadeus’ Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, which works to address inequality and implement good sustainable practices in the travel sector. The value of accessibility is enormous, and one which travellers and travel companies alike can only benefit from.
To read the study in full, please visit Amadeus.com
This article has been tagged Advertorial, Opinion