Page 73 - Travel Leisure - USA (February 2020)
P. 73
Hotels are upping their game,
too. In 2017, Beaches Resorts became
The alpine terrain the first such company in the world
of Slovenia’s Logar to be designated as a Certified Autism
Valley can be Center, with at least 80 percent of the T H E I N T E L L I G E N T T R AV E L E R
enjoyed on a
wheelchair- staff at its three properties trained to
friendly path. work with autistic guests.
Travel has always had the potential
to build empathy by bridging cultural
and geographic divides. Now it’s
activities and locations, were Gatwick and Heathrow airports building even greater understanding
established on a more global scale by have introduced green “sunflower” by addressing the personal challenges
the United Nations’ Convention on lanyards to help staff recognize that travelers with disabilities deal
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. and better support travelers who with every day. As the world gets
Now we’re in a cultural moment have dementia, anxiety, and other smaller, let’s strive toward a future in
where innovation, action, and conditions that aren’t readily which we can all move around freely—
advocacy are spurring real, substantive apparent to the naked eye. and nowhere is deemed off-limits.
change. Social media has been a
huge force: travelers like me connect
more easily than ever on Instagram
and other platforms, where hashtags
facilitate kinship on macro
(#wheelchairlife) and micro levels Finding a Happy many cooks in the kitchen,”
(#accessibletravel). Consider the fact Multi-Gen Medium says Kimberly Wilson Wetty
that the world’s 65-and-over (kimberlyww@ vwti.com), whose
Three T+L A-List family-travel
population is expanding at a rapid specialties include the Caribbean
specialists share tips for making
clip—the UN estimates it will reach and cruising. “We can advocate
senior relatives feel included. for everyone’s needs and plan
1.5 billion by 2050—and accessibility
BY SIOBHAN REID activities that appeal to all, while
becomes an issue that will touch picking the right guides and
every traveler’s life eventually. arranging wheelchairs and audio
Between 2013 and 2015, more supplements,” she explains.
For all its rewards, traveling with Cruises are a slam-dunk, says
than 26 million adults with disabilities
the whole family can involve Julie Danziger (julie@embark
traveled globally for pleasure or complex logistics. Beyond juggling beyond.com), who’s a pro at
business, taking 73 million trips, individual interests, there’s the creating adventure itineraries. To
according to research from the added layer of accounting for any keep youngsters happy, she says,
health issues or mobility problems take voyages to more outdoorsy
nonprofit Open Doors Organization
that older members may be destinations such as Alaska:
(ODO). “The industry is waking up to
facing. With multigenerational trips “Grandparents can enjoy the
the fact that travelers with disabilities on the rise, advisors have become scenery from the deck while the
GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO. ILLUSTRATION BY MAY PARSEY
represent a very significant market,” adept at helping clients navigate kids partake in onshore activities
says ODO executive director Eric Lipp. tricky dynamics. “You often get too like dogsled tours.”
Villas are another great option,
Airports around the world are also
according to Europe and Africa
stepping up to better accommodate expert Julia B. Pirrung (julia@ et set
j
challenges both visible and invisible. world travel.com). Groups can
In 2016, Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson consider ease of access (for
example, the number of floors or
International Airport partnered with
stairs) when choosing which
Delta Airlines to open a multisensory
rentals make the most sense, and
waiting room with bubbling-water a private chef can take care of
tubes, tactile activity panels, and multiple dietary requests. An
other features designed to create a added benefit, Pirrung says, is the
price: “Generally, buying out a villa
stress-alleviating space for passengers
for 10-plus people is going to be
on the autism spectrum. As part more affordable than renting out
of a U.K.-wide initiative, London’s five or more hotel rooms.”
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