Thanet District Council has launched a suite of initiatives designed to cement the Isle’s reputation as a premier destination for accessible tourism.
The project, made possible via Thanet’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aims to help local businesses capitalise on the rapidly growing accessible tourism market.
The spending power of disabled people and their households in the UK, known as the ‘Purple Pound’ is worth an estimated £274 billion annually. With £14.6 billion being spent in the English tourism sector.
To help support and upskill local businesses, Thanet District Council’s Tourism team has developed a free online Accessibility Ambassadors training programme. This new, five-lesson course aims to equip the local tourism and hospitality industry with the knowledge and confidence to provide an inclusive welcome to disabled visitors. The training covers the fundamentals of accessibility, understanding diverse visitor needs and now forms part of the established ‘Thanet Visitor Ambassadors’ programme. The content has been developed with support and guidance from disabled people, and includes specific references to the local area, as well as practical advice and real-world examples. The online training course is available on the Visit Thanet Ambassadors website.
Access Guides
Independent accessibility assessments are underway for four local beaches: Margate Main Sands; Viking Bay in Broadstairs; Ramsgate Main Sands and Minnis Bay in Birchington. These locations will feature on the AccessAble website. The assessments will provide bespoke access reports and improvement plans for each location.
The council has also funded additional access assessments for seven local venues including accommodation providers, large and small attractions and theatres. These guides provide essential information for visitors with access needs, providing them with the right information ahead of their visit.
Inclusive assets
A dedicated photography project has secured over 400 new images, featuring models with disabilities experiencing Thanet’s food and beverage, heritage and leisure sectors. These marketing images are available for local businesses to use via the new Visit Thanet Business website.
Diversifying and Upskilling our workforce
Five local businesses are being mentored by The Education People to achieve ‘Disability Confident’ status, to strengthen local employability. Fourteen representatives from major landmarks, including Dreamland and Ramsgate Tunnels, recently completed the ‘Welcoming All Customers’ course.
Cllr Kristian Bright, Cabinet Member for Parking, Tourism and Culture and Thanet District Council, said: “Ensuring our world-class coastline and vibrant towns are open to everyone is not just a statutory duty, it’s a matter of pride for our community. By becoming a UK leader in beach accessibility, we’re breaking down the physical and perceived barriers that historically might have sidelined disabled visitors and residents.
“These projects don’t just benefit visitors; they ensure our local economy is inclusive and that local people with disabilities can enjoy their own area with confidence.
“I encourage local business operators to take advantage of the free training and resources available so that together, we can offer a truly universal welcome to everyone.”
Anna Nelson, Chief Executive of AccessAble, said: “Thanet District Council is one of the first local authorities in recent years to embark on a partnership of this kind with AccessAble, building on the work already undertaken with over 60 local authorities and organisations across the UK.
“There is growing recognition across the UK that accessibility information needs to be more detailed, accurate and trustworthy. Too often it is either unavailable or lacks the depth and consistency people need to plan their visits with confidence.
“AccessAble has been providing Detailed Access Guides for over 25 years, supporting millions of users each year to plan visits with confidence. By investing in independently surveyed Detailed Access Guides for beaches and visitor attractions, Thanet is responding directly to this need and setting a strong example for others.
“We hope this will encourage more organisations and destinations to take similar steps, building on the positive progress already being made across the UK.”
Thanet District Council is committed to the long-term delivery of these projects. The new Accessible Ambassadors course is now available for people working in the tourism industry. Mentoring for the Disability Confident Scheme is ongoing.
For more information on the council’s accessibility initiatives, or to access the new business resources, please visit:
Main council site: thanet.gov.uk
Business resources: visitthanetbusiness.co.uk
