Access Tourism and New Zealand Sandra Rhodda

Access Tourism is for People with long term and temporary disabilities (PwDs) Seniors who may not be as agile as they once were Parents with pushchairs Pregnant women People with luggage Everyone!

In 2006, 17% of the population of New Zealand reported a disability

This percentage is bound to increase Due to our aging population Impairment increases with age

750 m - 1 billion PwDs largest minority group

Disabilities issue, or economic, or a tourism sustainability issue?

Ageing Spending Power

Wealth Holders in Western Societies In Australia: 4 million baby boomers 20% of the population hold 50% of all total net household wealth 25-39 year olds hold 19%

80 million are over 45 and they: hold 77% of all financial assets In the USA: 80 million are over 45 and they: hold 77% of all financial assets account for 50% discretionary spending have about US$800 billion in DS earn an estimated US$3 trillion p.a. USA Bureau of Labour Statistics August 2010

Will ageing impact on tourism?

Germany: Tourism Projection German Ministry for Economy and Technology, 2009 http://www.bmwi.de/

European Travel Commission + UNWTO July 2010

“Richer, older and going somewhere - demographic changes Saturday Amongst 9 main trends, “Richer, older and going somewhere - demographic changes will alter Western travel.” http://www.amadeus.com/amadeus/documents/corporate/Travel-Gold-Rush-2020-EN.pdf

What about PWDs? Hagley Park Christchurch

In Australia: Australian PwDs 4.2 million 2008-2009: 88% take a holiday each year within Australia This = 8.2 million trips 7% travel overseas/year Average group size is 4.1 Contribute cA$4 b/yr to Australian Tourism Gross Value = 14% total tourism GVA

In the USA: $220 billion discretionary spending p.a. (USBLN August 2010) 2002-2003 study showed: 31.7 million trips p.a. Spent $35US billion on Travel & Tourism p.a. Visited restaurants at least once a week spending $36 billion Would spend more on Travel & Tourism if more products were accessible

European Commission Estimates for European citizens 128 million PwDs 70% (89 m) are physically and financially able to travel Travel in groups so # requesting accessible tourism products and services est. = 133-360 million Expected revenues of €166 billion p.a.

Other Facts about Boomers, Seniors, PwDs Inheritance Retiring Interest in travel Increasing longevity/health Increasing interest in “wellness tourism”, including medical tourism PwDs travel with companions Elderly and children, or grandchildren

Other Facts about Boomers, Seniors, PwDs Increasingly net savvy Fewer outgoing expenses Spend a greater percentage of their discretionary income on travelling Willing to spend Off-peak Baby Boomers in particular will demand appropriate services

So, how does interest in the Silver and PwD market translate elsewhere?

Myriad of online advisors etc

What about PwDs?

The United Nations, EEC, World Tourism Organisation, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Secretariat, national, regional, and local governments and interest groups etc. Undertake research and development; sponsorship of international conferences and meetings About 30 large international and national conferences on AT since 2001

What about policies and strategies?

Some countries have used major events as lever to improve access for PwD tourists in legacy programmes

Some currently improving access around major events The UK has included access planning since 2004 in the lead up to the 2012 London Olympics

Where does New Zealand focus?

We seem to concentrate and talk about going after the youth traveller market. For example, this market was highlighted at the recent backpacker conference in spite of the fact that older backpackers are increasing We push adventure and thrill seeking despite the fact that adventure is way down the list of holiday motivators for both domestic and international visitors However, Domestic Tourism Market Segmentation Report……………….

“Being There” 98% Leading Edge Baby Boomers NZ’s largest market segment Comprises 22% of the NZ population Members are comparatively asset rich Money is less of a barrier to travel than it is to members of other segments

“Being There” “Major barriers to travel are health and disability (their own or that of a travelling companion) as well as a lack of travelling companions”

Where is the information about T+T in NZ for PwDs?

TNZ website: Search for Disability, Disabled, Wheelchair, etc 20 September 2010

20 September 2010

20 September 2010

……..Leads to newzealand.com which is a Tourism NZ (govt) site

This kind of misinformation is also on such commercial websites as the NZ Tourism Guide……………….

No way to search for access information Ministerial Committee on Disability Issues Established February 2009, chaired by the Minister for Disabilities Issues - 23 September 2009 committee meeting, ministers agreed to:  “encourage efforts underway in Auckland to make accessibility a more visible goal for all and to go beyond minimum requirements for the Rugby World Cup in 2011 to make it a very accessible event” No way to search for access information

21 September 2010 Identical information is given for each site Limited disabled parking facilities are available. Access details will be confirmed…in early 2011

Want to book a wheelchair spot or you have other disabilities? Telephone (!) or email “special needs” ticketing Customer service will fill it in for you on the phone Or you will receive a form in the mail or by email Cannot be filled in online as “non-special” forms can Must print the form, fill it in, scan it, and send it back, or post it

Visitor Ready Workshops

Well-known Auckland tourism venue

Thank you….