1. Access Tourism and New Zealand
Sandra Rhodda

2. 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!

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

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

9. 750 m - 1 billion PwDs
largest minority group

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

11. Ageing Spending Power

12. 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%

13. 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

14. Will ageing impact on tourism?

15. Germany: Tourism Projection
German Ministry for Economy and Technology,

16. European Travel Commission + UNWTO July 2010

17. “Richer, older and going somewhere - demographic changes
Saturday
Amongst 9 main trends,
“Richer, older and going somewhere - demographic changes
will alter Western travel.”

18. What about PWDs?
Hagley Park Christchurch

19. 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

20. In the USA:
$220 billion discretionary spending p.a. (USBLN August 2010)
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

21. 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. = million
Expected revenues of €166 billion p.a.

22. 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

23. 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

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

25. Myriad of online advisors etc

29. What about PwDs?

30. 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

31. What about policies and strategies?

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

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

38. Where does
New Zealand focus?

39. 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……………….

40. “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

41. “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”

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

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

44. 20 September 2010

45. 20 September 2010

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

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

49. 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

50. 21 September 2010 Identical information is given for each site
Limited disabled parking facilities are available. Access details will be confirmed…in early 2011

51. Want to book a wheelchair spot or you have other disabilities?
Telephone (!) or “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
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

53. Visitor Ready Workshops

54. Well-known Auckland tourism venue

55. Thank you….