Online service boosts tourist industry

Nov 13 2008 By nebusiness

A WIDER range of visitors are being attracted to the North East thanks to a new online support service for the tourist industry.
Regional development agency One North East has developed an online course designed to tackle the issue of access to tourist-related businesses for people with disabilities and mobility requirements when on holiday in the region.
Tourism businesses with improved accessibility appeal to a wider range of visitors, generating more business for them and the region. The Profit through Access training course on www.tourismnortheast.co.uk is available in bite size modules offering a flexible approach to development for the thousands of tourism businesses in the region, which will improve the experience for all visitors to the region.
The course demonstrates that simple, low-cost changes can benefit both business and visitors.  
Louise Davis, head of tourism and culture at One North East said: “Tourism plays a major part in the economy of the region. Annually it is worth nearly £4b to North East England, however the region’s tourism industry needs to invest and look for opportunities to ensure this growth continues. The Profit for Access on-line course is a new resource for tourism businesses in the region to ensure each visitor enjoys the quality experience they deserve.”
There are nearly 10 million adults and 700,000 children with disabilities in the UK. Currently only 2.5 million travel regularly, citing the lack of accessible facilities as the reason in national market research studies.
Sonja Gregory, of The Hytte, a self-catering holiday cottage in Bingfield, Northumberland, said: “Accessibility has been an important part of the The Hytte since we opened two and a half years ago.
“It has brought its benefits with 97% occupancy – achievable because we can accommodate all visitors. It is not acceptable not to be accessible any more. This new on-line course will help many businesses increase their potential by opening up new markets and attracting new visitors to the region.”
VisitBritain, Ross Calladine said: “One North East has developed an innovative and user-friendly training programme for the tourism industry. Profit through Access will certainly help tourism businesses understand the needs of all their guests; provide clear information and excellent customer service; and make small changes that will benefit not only disabled people but all their guests in one way or another. Tourism businesses in North East England can stay one step ahead of the competition by completing the Profit through Access on-line course.”