A new initiative has been launched to help establish the North East as the most accessible region in the UK.
Everybody Welcome, funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA), will ensure visitors, including those living in the region with access requirements, can experience the destination with confidence.
The programme, being delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), will allow anyone coming to the region to research information relating to their needs prior to their visit, as well as being able to view 360o videos of attractions and hotels before their arrival.
Working with staff in the tourism and hospitality sector the programme Everybody Welcome will help businesses to produce relevant information and excellent services for their visitors with access requirements, both visible and hidden, older people and families by providing free access to:
• Staff training, toolkits and guidance on a wide range of conditions, barriers and access requirements from industry experts
• WelcoMe: an established digital platform, enabling visitors to source information relating to their specific needs and ask questions in advance of their visit as well as helping venue staff create a warm and inclusive welcome
• 360-degree filming for selected venues: a valuable marketing tool which gives visitors a taste of what’s on offer to help with visit planning
Working with industry experts Chris Veitch and Jane Cooper and 360 filming and virtual reality specialists Eyemersive, Everybody Welcome will encourage businesses to sign up to the project and take advantage of the free business support package.
Chris is a leading independent consultant in the field of accessible tourism working closely with DCMS, VisitEngland and VisitBritain to help the UK meet its aim of being the most accessible tourism destination in Europe by 2025. Jane is managing director of Access and Inclusion UK, which specialises in providing access consultancy, training, access auditing and business support services to clients across the UK, with a particular focus on accessible tourism.
Last year the North East was announced as the chosen region for the Government’s regional tourism pilot, receiving £2.25m. The Destination Development Partnership pilot will be the blueprint for the structure of tourism nation-wide and a key area of the pilot is accessibility and working with businesses to improve their accessibility offer.
Sarah Green, Chief Executive of NGI said:
“Everybody Welcome will help to drive our ambition and that of the region’s to achieve the accessibility agenda across the visitor economy, celebrating and driving quality in the tourism sector.
“It will help those taking part to increase their share of the UK’s £15.3 billion ‘accessible tourism’ market by improving experiences for visitors across the region, also benefiting our local communities.
“By training frontline staff in our visitor and hospitality venues, as well as developing a way for consumers to liaise directly with businesses on their requirements before they arrive, we can become the UK’s most accessible region and further increase our visitor offer.
“We are really excited to be working on this project and with the support of leading industry experts, we are demonstrating our commitment to creating a destination which is open to all.”
Jane Cooper added:
“Access and Inclusion UK are delighted to be working with NewcastleGateshead Initiative on this exciting project which has so much potential to benefit the destination, its businesses, visitors, and the local community.
“There is no mystery to accessible tourism: at its heart, it is about demonstrating to people that ‘we know you; we understand you and we value you to make everybody welcome.”
To receive the most up to date information on the programme including invitations to informative webinars and regular project updates, go to Everybody Welcome – NewcastleGateshead Initiative