Among older persons, a significant percentage presents some type of disability. For example, in Western Australia, over 50 per cent of people over 60 years of age have a disability. It is now widely recognized in many quarters that people with disabilities, together with carers, friends and relatives, and older persons constitute a large potential consumer market segment for the tourism and hospitality industry. However, the possibility of taking advantage of this potential niche market will depend on how the tourism sector as a whole, and the tourism industry in particular, will address the issue of tourism accessibility for people with disabilities. Indeed, good access will benefit not only people with disabilities but also many other members of the community, especially senior citizens.
Access varies depending on disability and goes well beyond the physical type alone.
In one way or another, all travellers who move out of their familiar surroundings are handicapped by new environments, the exciting aspects notwithstanding. Thus, the degree of sensitivity, clarity, safety and convenience required in designing tourism facilities from the perspective of disabled travellers will benefit everyone else.