Year of Accessible Tourism grant recipients announced

• Year of Accessible Tourism (YOAT) grants awarded to 52 organisations
• Grants will enhance Queensland’s status as an all-abilities visitor destination of choice
• Supporting Towards Tourism 2032 to achieve $44 billion overnight visitation expenditure target by 2032.

More than 50 Queensland organisations will deliver a range of programs and infrastructure to help tourism businesses better cater to visitors of all abilities thanks to funding under the $12 million 2023 Year of Accessible Tourism initiative.

More than $2.5 million has now been allocated with additional support to be announced later this year.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe made the announcement at Fun Over 50 who have received funds as part of the $1 million Boosting Accessible Tourism Experiences Grant.

Fun Over 50 Holidays will use the funding to improve the visitor experience for guests with hearing and vision impairments.

The Boosting Accessible Tourism Experiences Grant remains open with over $500,000 already shared across 35 small tourism organisations.

12 projects have received more than $1.1 million under the Accessible Tourism Infrastructure Grants that will deliver $4.8 million in projects.

This funding has gone to small to medium-sized tourism and events businesses to improve accessibility through infrastructure upgrades, new assistive equipment, and virtual reality programming.

Recipients include:

• Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach to install accessible audio-visual content.
• Gold Coast Coachlines to purchase four new buses with wheelchair accessible lifts.

Five organisations are sharing in almost $1 million under the Accessible Tourism Enablers Grant, that will give tourism and event operators the tools they need to offer more accessible experiences.

Recipients include:

• Spinal Life Australia’s Access Accelerator program to better accommodate people with a disability.
• Autism Queensland to help providers deliver inclusive experiences for autistic and neurodivergent visitors.

Quotes attributable to Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe:

“Almost one-in-five people have a disability, so it is important that we ensure our great lifestyle and world-class visitor experiences are available to all.

“Driving change to create opportunities for both industry and travellers will create an enduring legacy for Queensland as an inclusive, world-class visitor destination for visitors of all abilities.

“It’s also part of our commitment to making the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games the pinnacle global event for athletes and spectators living with disability.”

Quotes attributable to Disability Services Minister Craig Crawford:

“More Australians with a disability are travelling and seeking out welcoming destinations that can support their stay. 

“We want this year to be the transformation that makes Queensland an inclusive, world-class, disability accessible place to visit.

“Better, more convenient and accessible tourism experiences are predicted to add $1.8 billion a year to the State’s visitor economy.”  

Quotes from Cassie Fitton, General Manager, Fun Over 50:

“This grant will play a crucial role in implementing accessibility plans of the business by providing, in part, the necessary funds to allow significant strides in creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for the business as a whole and to enhance the guest experience.

“This fund will allow the company to purchase personal portable digital audio devices for guests to use on tour; upgrade our website to enhance accessibility; and upgrade of safety messages for sight impaired guests.

“Accessibility has become a significant factor influencing the travel decisions of guests; they are choosing operators that enhance their brand reputation with overall positive inclusivity, giving the companies that place importance on accessibility a competitive edge.”

More information about the successful grant recipients to date can be found at https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/funds.  

ENDS

Media contact – Bill Walker 0437 859 987