Thoughtfulness and common sense

By STEVE HART

Looking at the big picture, it's clear many people with disabilities have more important priorities than taking a holiday, but having a break is nevertheless something everyone enjoys.

While there's good legislation for people with restricted mobility in New Zealand, it doesn't seem to apply to all building owners - especially smaller accommodation providers who use their homes as B&Bs with just two or three rooms for guests.

Larger establishments meet their legal obligations and overall appear to provide good facilities but can fall short of some people's expectations regarding a trouble-free holiday.

Bus tour companies could do more by adding chairlifts and better onboard facilities to some of their fleet. This applies especially to the independent disabled traveller - some companies say they can "accept" disabled passengers "so long as they are accompanied by someone to help them".

Regarding accommodation, tour companies say facilities are available, but not always where travellers want to go. Also, cost is an issue, hotel rooms are not within everyone's budget.

However, it seems that after a period of trial and error many people do find places that suit their particular needs and stick with them. The freedom of choice many of us enjoy isn't quite there for everyone.

Here's where the tourism industry needs to take note. Visitors to New Zealand are spending a little under $6 billion a year and that figure, according to the Tourism Research Council, will grow to $9.6 billion by 2008 when 1.49 million holidaymakers are expected to visit the country.

But those figures could rise greatly if the tourism industry catered fully for people with special needs. If all our holiday destinations, shops, modes of transport and public buildings were accessible to disabled New Zealanders, they would suit disabled foreign visitors, too.

And it doesn't take much - it's all a matter of common sense, thoughtful design and investment.

You don't have to be a genius to see that opening up tourism to the disabled would make it easier for all our citizens as well as attracting possibly a huge sum of untapped foreign cash waiting to be spent.

As Alexia Pickering says, it's a niche market. If any country can meet a niche market, New Zealand can.