Tui UK has partnered with AccessAble, an accessibility information provider, to create overseas holiday planning guides for customers with access needs.
The operator said the “ground-breaking” partnership is the “first of its kind” for overseas hotels.
AccessAble has already surveyed thousands of shops, tourist attractions, restaurants and hotels in the UK, and its website and app are used by more than five million people each year.
The specialist also partners with Tui brand Marella Cruises to provide accessibility information to the cruise line’s customers.
Now, AccessAble’s surveyors will assess hotels in Tui’s portfolio to create ‘Detailed Access Guides’, which will be available to retail staff, independent agents and customers through AccessAble’s website and app.
Accessibility surveys will start in April and will continue throughout the year, with the guides being made available in the coming months.
Sue Bradley, Tui’s customer experience delivery director, said: “We want to widen the opportunity for customers with visible and non-visible disabilities to enjoy Tui beach holidays overseas and this extremely exciting partnership with AccessAble will help our customers to make an informed decision as to whether a hotel will suit their needs.
“Having detailed information ahead of booking is essential for our customers with specific requirements; it’s the difference between being able to go on an overseas holiday with TUI or looking elsewhere.
“Partnering with AccessAble and harnessing their expertise will transform how we help our customers with access needs find the holiday that’s right for them.”
Carrie-Ann Lightley, head of marketing at AccessAble, added: ”As someone who uses a wheelchair and loves to travel, I’m so excited about AccessAble’s new partnership with Tui.
“I’ve spent many years using Detailed Access Guides to hotels across the UK; knowing that I can easily find information about accessible facilities which have been checked by a trained surveyor removes so much anxiety.
“Planning an overseas trip and staying much further away from home can be even more daunting, but with quality assured accessibility information that fear can be taken away.
“I believe this new partnership will be a game changer for accessible travel, opening the opportunity to so many disabled people.”