Welcome to our November Edition V1.1 Newsletter

Latest News

Latest News

THAI GOVERNMENT APPROVAL OF WHEELCHAIR HOLIDAYS' PROJECT IN PATTAYA

The Thai Government's Board of Investment recently approved Wheelchair Holidays' application to develop its new resort village near Pattaya , Thailand .

The project was approved as the first project of its kind in Thailand and South East Asia . The resort village is seen as a big step forward for Thailand by delivering high quality, accessible tourism and social infrastructure to South East Asia .

The parent company of Wheelchair Holidays has been congratulated for its innovative approach and understanding of the needs for people with special access needs.

Wheelchair Holidays' management is recognised as a progressive leader in developing accessible tourism programs in Thailand and South East Asia .

NICAN CONFERENCE

As innovators and leaders in accessible tourism and leisure, the Australian management of Wheelchair Holidays recently attended the annual NICAN conference in Perth , Australia .

NICAN is the peak organisation in Australia that represents people with disabilities. NICAN is an organisation whose governing body has Australia wide representation and is funded in part by the Australian Government..

NICAN's Vision – NICAN supports an Australian Society where any recreational opportunity values diversity, supports freedom and choice, and strengthens inclusive communities.

NICAN's Mission – NICAN is information and awareness of the need for inclusion in recreation, tourism, sport and the arts for people with disabilities.

NICAN's Aim – to create active and dynamic links between people, places and resources that enables access to recreation experiences for people with disabilities.

NICAN website: www.nican.com.au

The conference in Perth was held over 3 days in September at Observation City Hall , Scarborough , located on a beautiful surf beach.

The conference program covered the tourism and leisure needs of disabled people and provided an excellent opportunity to develop policy and programs for the disability community. The conference developed a clearer understanding of the support structures that need to be provided by Community, Government, Academia, Industry and, in particular, the Australian Tourism and Leisure sector.

Sadly, the conference hotel itself lacked full accessibility standards, and some of the attendees indicated their annoyance by holding an informal sit-in in the main lobby of the hotel. It was all done in great style and good humour, but the message was hammered home to management – accessibility in Australia is now a right and not an option.

Some of the accessibility issues in the hotel included –

• Bathrooms and doorways not complying with current standards
• Lack of disability accommodation for group bookings of conference size.
• Lack of access to key facilities: the main bar area in the lobby of the hotel was at a raised level and accessed by steps only; only 3 vertical rises in the steps, design wise looked great, but accessible to whom – certainly not to over 100 of the people attending this conference.

A major issue raised in the conference was the need for the substantial upgrade investment needed in the Australian tourism and leisure industry, including support infrastructure especially public and private transport, airports, rail and bus stations.

Wheelchair Holidays advocates that tax breaks or benefits for property owners or developers who implement full accessibility standards may be a solution, so we are off to talk to our State and Federal Government politicians and market influencers such as the Property Council of Australia and airport corporations and their owners.

“Walk quietly, tread lightly, have full knowledge and a good strategy, but carry a big stick.”

Wheelchair Holidays' board members are proactive in leading thinking and policy development to deliver accessibility.

Stay tuned for future newsletters where the topics will include overviews of:

• the addresses of the conference keynote speakers,
• international initiatives in disability tourism and leisure
• the diversity of tourism and leisure activities available in the Australian tourism and leisure market,
• dedicated disability leisure equipment, and
• special conference activities.

BLAZING THE PATHWAY IN SOUTH EAST ASIA

In December and January members of our management team are travelling to Asia to develop new tourism and leisure products in travel to Vietnam , Laos , Cambodia , Myanmar and the Philippines for people with disability.

PARALYMPICS CONGRATULATIONS

The Australian contingent at the recent Paralympic Games in Athens was successful – for a small population of 20 million, Australia always punches above its weight in the international sporting arena.

The big and welcome surprise for Australian sports followers was the great success of Thailand with 3 Gold Medals and many other excellent results. The Redemptorist School in Pattaya was responsible in no small way for these successes and Wheelchair Holidays is looking forward to an active involvement in the disability sporting scene in Asia in particular in 2005.

If you have any interest in or ideas for disability sporting events for 2005 – 2006 then contact our Managing Director David McDonald. We have a number of sporting, training and special guest camps in Thailand proposed for 2005 – 2006.

Next Newsletter: More Sammi tips, FAQ's (please keep them coming in to us – they are of value to all travellers), special feature on our new Pattaya village.

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Until our next Newsletter.
Best Regards
David McDonald

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