Access Tourism NZ TOURISM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, SENIORS, AND AGEING BOOMERS IN NEW ZEALAND AND WORLDWIDE

As cruise tourist numbers grow, NZ must upgrade port facilities to welcome older travels and travellers with disabilities.

It has just been announced (September 2009) that a record 30,000 Australians and New Zealanders booked a P&O Cruises’ holiday in August 2009, more than double those who booked the same time last year.

In 2007 those 45 years old or older comprised 70% of New Zealand and 75% of overseas cruise passengers visiting NZ ports (Tourism Business Magazine Spring 2007). Already, the rapid growth of the cruise industry in NZ is putting pressure on facilites at some ports, particularly Auckland (Craig Harris, chairman of Cruies NZ), and there are plans afoot to upgrade such facilities.

Hopefully such plans will take into consideration the age structure of Cruise ship passengers and factor in access at ports beyond mere building compliance.  In this is done, NZ could gain a reputation as being a country-of-choice for current cruise ship passengers who have disabilities, and for the growing number of older people visiting our shores, many of whom will experience increased disability as they age.

Why focus on ageing Boomers and travellers with disabilities?  Because it is ageing Boomers who have the disposable income to spend on-shore, and because travellers with disabilities “see the benefit of taking a cruise because many ships now have accessible features for people with physical, sight, and hearing disabilities” (Tierney, June 2009).

“Cruise lines are doing a very good job at meeting or exceeding the requirements that allow people with disabilities to travel,” says Roberta Schwartz, director of education for the Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH), a leading non-profit organization that works with the cruise industry.

“The rule of thumb is that the newer the ship, the more accessible it will probably be. But it’s not only for mobility issues, it’s also for people who have hearing and vision impairments.”

Schwartz says most major lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Norwegian and others have shown their commitment to accessible travel.

“The industry has recognized that not only is this an important market, but there’s a demographic shift of people who are aging and have more disabilities, whether they call themselves disabled or not,” says Schwartz.

Getting on and off the ship is relatively easy when it’s docked and ramps are installed, but at some ports, tenders are used to transport passengers to shore.

“Many ports aren’t accessible, so it’s best to choose an itinerary with ports that have docks.  If not, some ships have a special lift to get a wheelchair on a tender. But it may only be doable if the person has a small wheelchair. It’s also at the discretion of the officials because the weather might not make it safe” (Schwartz, in Tierney, June 2009).