Victoria Safaris Strategy in the Emerging Disability(Wheelchair) Tourism Market in Africa

By James Asudi

Disability wheelchair travel in Africa is set to increase in the future with the efforts being put in place and one of the tour operators in Africa – Victoria safaris, specializing in this emerging market. We have several tailor – made disability itineraries meant for wheelchair clients.

Disability(Wheelchair Accessible) tourism in Africa has seen been ignored by tour operators due to in accessibility and accommodation facilities within the African hotels, game parks and lodges within the wildlife sanctuaries. Victoria Safaris, one of the adventure tour operators based in Nairobi Kenya has recently started an aggressive wheelchair accessible safaris into the famous Kenyan wildlife sanctuaries which include Masai Mara Game Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Tsavo East National Park and Amboseli National Park. For beach holidays, we have arrangements with Turtle Bay beach club which is wheelchair compliant and  has four disability rooms facing the ocean front. Victoria safaris is doing its best to advice the various hotels in Nairobi city and other towns within Kenya and its environs to at least have one disability(wheelchair accessible) rooms. This conforms with the world over requirement for every hotel to be wheelchair accessible compliant.

There are over 500,000 disabled persons who are able to travel into Africa, but fears that, they may not be able to access the required facilities for their travel and accommodation. Victoria Safaris with the initiative of its General Manager- James Asudi has urged the lodge management in various parks in Kenya to establish atleast one room in every tented camp and one room in every lodge facility in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park,  Amboseli National Park and Tsavo East National Park. In all the named facilities the camps and lodges which has since established disability(Wheelchair) rooms are – Sarova Mara Camp in Maasai Mara, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge in Lake Nakuru National Park, Sopa Lodge in Amboseli and Ashnil Aruba Lodge in Tsavo East National Parks respectively.

Disability Safari Vehicles

Victoria Safaris has modified its Safari fleet vehicles to accommodate its wheelchair clients’ which include the 4×4 Land cruisers and the 7 seater Tour Safari Mini vans. We have since developed the wheelchair ramps which we use for transferring our wheelchair clients’ into and out of the appropriate safari vehicles. We have also supplied the straps for holding the wheelchair in position inside the said vehicles for comfort while our clients are on Safari.

Recently we have finished a successful 16 days wheelchair accessible safari into the Kenyan Wildlife sanctuaries for an Australian Hospital Accountant – Mrs. Kelly Green who is on wheelchair together with the husband, Michael who is physically fit. This was a test case for Victoria Safaris and for those who would want to confirm the trip facilities and comfortability, you may contact our recent clients on email: michael.green66@gmail.com

Collaboration

Victoria Safaris collaborates with Flamingo Tours of South Africa in this endeavor for making possible Wildlife and cultural Safaris for disabled (wheelchair clients) who would want to visit Southern African Wildlife sanctuaries and the East African Wildlife game reserves and game parks.

We invite individuals, Families with wheelchair family members, corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGO’S), disability centers and organisations to book their disability members of society or join us in this emerging market by booking their disabled and wheelchair friends and family members for these memorable safaris and tours in Kenya,Uganda,Rwanda,and Tanzania.

Http://www.victoriasafaris.com

Travelers With Disabilities: the Untapped Market

There are currently more than 50 million people with disabilities in the United States and 180 million worldwide, representing the single largest untapped tourist market in the world. According to a recent Harris Poll conducted in conjunction with the Open Doors Organization and the Travel Industry Association of America, the 50 million people with disabilities in our country have a combined income of more than $175 billion. In 2002, these people took 32 million trips and spent more than $13.6 billion on travel ($4.2 billion on hotels, $3.3 billion on airfare, $2.7 billion on food and beverage, and $3.4 billion on retail, transportation, and other activities). This study suggested that these travelers would double their spending if some minor amenities were made available. Meet and greet programs at airports, preferred seating on airplanes, hotel rooms closer to amenities, and employees who go out of their way to accommodate guests with disabilities topped the list.
The current trends in adaptive travel show most of these travelers taking advantage of destinations that they know are already accessible such as cruise ships, Florida, and Las Vegas. The visitor’s bureaus and businesses at these destinations that have gone to great lengths to ensure their visitors that there will not be any accessibility issues during their stay. From personal experience and years of traveling in a wheelchair, I can guarantee that these locations have built and will continue to build strong relationships with travelers with disabilities. This group is a very loyal one, who will often return to the same city, hotel, or activity provider year after year if they have a good experience. If everyone were to catch on to this we would see growth in the tourism industry like we have never seen!
With this in mind, it is a wonder that more business owners have not taken steps to make their accommodations more accessible and even start marketing to these travelers. If the staggering numbers listed above aren’t proof enough, the U.S. Census Bureau recently stated that nearly 16.5% of all people with disabilities in the U.S. leave their home two days per week or less. That constitutes nearly 11 million people that are not traveling at all. Also keep in mind that there are millions of people in their golden years that are looking for accessible travel accommodations. Many of these people use canes or walkers, travel with oxygen tanks, or have other mobility impairments, and are not included in disability statistics.
With millions of people in need of accessible travel options, and with our Baby Boomers (almost 25% of our population) starting to reach retirement age as well now is the time to start thinking about improving marketing efforts to include people with disabilities and about better overall accessibility in general. By educating business owners on the benefits of marketing to people with disabilities and educating travel agents who are fighting a losing battle with the internet, we can begin to focus on this new target market.
If you want to take advantage of the rapidly growing adaptive travel market, get started now! I recommend hiring an expert to get your business rated and start removing barriers to access as soon as possible. Think about accessibility anytime you’re planning a remodel or addition. These improvements will benefit everyone, not just people with disabilities. For those of you who have already taken steps to improve accessibility, start bragging about it.

Enjoy afternoon tea in front of a roaring log fire

We have visited several Country House hotels in the Cotswolds in England and trust that the following will help in your hunt for a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds which is a beautiful part of England with many old English market towns and towns. 

Broadway is a tiny town in the Cotswolds whose high st has a number of antique and gift shops and homes built of Cotswold stone.  The Lygon Arms can be found in the high street and is one of many character Country House Hotels in walking distance to Broadway in the Cotswolds in England.  The restaurant has a Michelin star and there are spa facilities.  You can be guaranteed of a hearty welcome with blazing log fires in the winter months.  This is a real luxury hotel in the Cotswolds. 

Chipping Camden is a tiny city in the Cotswolds again with a superb high street where you may find The Cotswold House Hotel is a fine five star hotel in the Cotswolds in Britain offering service of the highest standard with wonderful food served in both the restaurant and cafe.  This Country House Hotel has been designed within in a modern theme but full of personality with no expense spared. 

Lower slaughter is a small Cotswold hamlet with the trout filled river Eye running through it.  Lower slaughter estate is in the centre of the village next to the church.  It is one of 2 Country House hotels in this Cotswolds village in this tranquil part of Britain.  Personal service of the highest standard is provided.  Enjoy afternoon tea in front of a roaring log fire in winter or on the front lawn in summer.  Fantastically decorated and furnished Lower slaughter manor is a luxury hotel near to the Cotswolds town of stow on the Wold here in Britain. 

Please don’t hesitate to phone us on 01562 631682 for further recommendation about a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds.

Thinking about traveling outside of the country? Famouswonders.com can help you decide where to go on your next vacation, or you can view history of the Tower of London.