Our CEO and Co-founder, Richard Thompson, joined a panel discussion at the Icons of Inclusion event in London.
Making a strong case for why the travel industry needs to do better when it comes to creating greater guest inclusivity for disabled people at OutThere’s inaugural Icons of Inclusion event earlier this year, Richard Thompson piqued the interest of many an attendee.
Here’s the Q&A session that he did with the Out There magazine.
Aspire Awards 2024 – we’re winners!
What a privileged and proud moment to witness Alison Pearson, who heads up our travel operations here at Inclu, step up to receive the first ever ‘Inclusivity Champion’ trophy from the wonderful Holly-Rae Brader and Nicola McNeish (Celebrity Cruises) at the Aspire Awards 2024 in the fabulous Kimpton Clocktower hotel, Manchester, last week.
Alison, who has been with Inclu from its very inception, brings decades of frontline travel industry service and fuses this with her own lived experience of disability to position herself, in our view, as the worlds leading ‘dream-weaver’ in inspiring, often rekindling and ultimately realising travel aspirations and ambitions, whatever a client’s physical, sensory or neuro-divergent exceptionality may be and wherever in the world they dare dream to venture
And with the imminent arrival of our new and innovative trade consortium and B2C platforms, Alison is now poised to apply this unique knowledge and expertise in nurturing and supporting hotels, IC’s and indeed all key industry stakeholders, in the art of ‘conscious customer inclusivity’ and in doing so transform the landscape of travel opportunity for the one in six of the worlds population who are disabled, and crucially, the capacity of our industry to delight and service them confidently.. and fabulously well.
Inclu Ambassador, Issy Bailey, secures her place at Paris Paralympics
For Issy, Paris 2024 will be her third Paralympic Games after Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 where she narrowly missed out on a place in the final. Issy is the only pistol shooter in the squad.
Good Luck, Issy!
Our CEO, Richard Thompson, panel member at IWTTM24
Richard is taking part in a panel discussion at this years International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum.
The ‘Making Travel Accessible to All’ panel discussion also features Angus Drummond of Limitless Travel and Nicola Degnan of Hays Travel.
Anyone wish to attend the event can find more details on the the events Programme page.
IncluCare in Accessible Journeys
We’re happy to have been featured in the April 2024 edition of Accessible Journeys.
The magazine is published in the USA and Canada and has a readership in excess of 1.5 million.
Just select the link to read the article about IncluCare and the following piece about Amilla Maldives.
Amilla Maldives accolade
Conscious luxury pioneer Amilla Maldives has been named ‘Responsible Hospitality Partner of the Year’ 2024 at Forbes Travel Guide’s annual summit in Las Vegas. This noteworthy accolade was awarded in recognition of the Amilla team’s outstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as environmental sustainability.
Amilla Maldives is an IncluCare-certified resort and a member of The Conscious Travel Foundation
Read > Amilla Maldives accolade
On The Right Path
Aspire Magazine, a sister title of Travel Weekly, is shining a light on the rapidly growing and emerging accessible and inclusive travel market.
Erica Rich examines how the luxury sector is making progress in catering for disabled customers but that it still has some way to go to fully serve this luxury sector.
The article features comments from Alison Pearson, Head of Travel Services at Inclu and our CEO and Co-founder, Richard Thompson.
Read > On The Right Path
Article published in Aspire Travel Club magazine – January 2024
A Case for Greater Inclusion in Luxury Travel
18 March 2024
Proudly hosted by The Dorchester, London
Icons of Inclusion is an inspirational, thought leadership, education and networking event, with a focus on diversity and inclusion in tourism. It will showcase best practices in the industry, celebrate role models through lively, informative discussions that will provide the industry with actionable steps they can take to create real change with regard to workplace culture, sales and marketing and operations.
Discover more and register now for the most important event of 2024 in the arena of conscious inclusivity in luxury hospitality, travel and lifestyle.
Inclu CEO makes Condé Nast list of leading change-makers
In Beyond Barriers, Condé Nast Traveller UK’s monthly column dedicated to sharing the latest developments and stories of Disabled travel, they meet some of the most influential figures in the field of accessible travel. These are the pioneers who have defied stereotypes and paved the way for a more inclusive world, harnessing their personal experiences to catalyse a global shift. Their collective efforts are a testament to the transformative power of determination, creativity, and advocacy.
Read > Inclu CEO makes Condé Nast list of leading change-makers
Article published in Condé Nast Traveler on 19th January 2024.
Amilla Maldives wins prestigious Blue Badge Award
Big congratulations to TCTF Member, Narelle McDougall and the team at Amilla Maldives for winning ‘The Best International Venue’ award at the prestigious Blue Badge Access Awards which took place at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, London on Thursday evening. Fully deserved for the amazing work they do to make the destination accessible, inclusive and welcoming… whatever a guests physical, sensory or neuro-diverse requirement.
Is the global travel industry failing people with disabilities?
The travel industry in general is failing to deliver equitable and authentic opportunities to people with disabilities, says Richard Thompson, founder of IncluCare. This UK organisation is known for driving the “inclusion revolution” throughout the tourism sector by offering inclusive and accessible training, assessment and accreditation.
Read > Is the global travel industry failing people with disabilities?
Article published in The National on 25th October 2023.
Comment: The narrative around ‘accessible travel’ has to change
Inclu chief executive Richard Thompson believes the luxury sector holds the key to unlocking the market’s full potential.
Read > Comment: The narrative around ‘accessible travel’ has to change
Article published in Travel Weekly on 30th August 2023.