A new report by Sandra Rhodda was today posted on the Tai Poutini Polytechnic website:
Tourism for Visitors to New Zealand with Mobility Problems: a West Coast Perspective
You can access the report here: http://www.taipoutini.ac.nz/taipoutini/report.asp
Summary:
Tourism is New Zealands primary export earner, and the West Coasts largest employer. There is a growing trend worldwide to cater to niche-tourism markets. People with disabilities represent a large and growing niche tourism market, one that New Zealand and the West Coast has not yet begun to fully exploit. This market has increasing discretionary funds and financial power, is articulate and web savvy, and very interested in travel. There is a significant opportunity for the West Coast to place itself as a region of excellence in tourism for people with disabilities. However, awareness of this market and the ability to cater for it is currently negligible. This report provides an overview of the access market, a preliminary examination of the provision of West Coast tourism services for people with disabilities, and suggests ways in which this large and growing market can be researched and developed.
For further information contact:
Sandra Rhodda
Research Manager
Tai Poutini Polytechnic
Private Bag 607
Greymouth
New Zealand
Ph: 02 769 9493
Freephone: 0-800-800-411
www.tpp.ac.nz