VisitAberdeenshire highlights opportunity for businesses in new inclusive tourism themed workshops
27 March 2023
VisitAberdeenshire is hosting two tourism industry events this week to highlight the growing potential of the ’purple pound’ – the inclusive tourism market made up of visitors with visible and non-visible disabilities.
Estimated to be worth £15.3bn expenditure per annum to the UK visitor economy, inclusive tourism is identified in the Destination Strategy as a significant opportunity for development in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The seminar on Wednesday 29 March will highlight how implementing inclusive practices can benefit businesses’ bottom line, pinpoint how businesses can access the inclusive tourism market and how to develop an inclusive customer experience. Tourism businesses are invited to attend the session at P&J Live from 9.30am to 12pm, with keynote speaker Mike Adams, OBE, Chief Executive of Purple beaming in to share his experiences and to inform the audience of the ‘Purple Tuesday’ movement.
Attendees willalso hear market insights from Deirdre O'Donnell, VisitAberdeenshire’s Insights and Evaluation Manager and Marina DiDuca, Inclusive Tourism Manager at VisitScotland.
A second session on Friday 31 March from 9.00am to 4.30pm at the Leonardo Hotel and Conference Venue Aberdeen Airport and delivered by training provider Welcome to Excellence, is designed to assist businesses with creating a welcoming environment, and will also advise on legal obligations, discrimination and communication styles to identify customer needs.
Chris Foy, CEO, VisitAberdeenshire said: “Being accessible to a wide range of people with disabilities, visible or non-visible, goes beyond a legislative requirement to become a business opportunity to develop and improve visitor experiences to attract new audiences.
“This doesn't necessarily mean investment in infrastructure or facilities. There are many actions businesses can implement at little or no cost to appeal to this market segment, known for its high level of customer loyalty.”
Details of how to register for both sessions are available at VisitAberdeenshire’s website.