TV presenter and former professional wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan took part in the first advisory panel on accessibility run by the Spanish Tourist Office in the UK.
Adepitan is also a Spain for All ambassador, offering consultancy services for the advisory panel, personal feedback on his own experiences of travelling around Spain as a wheelchair user, and endorsement of the campaign.
The first in a series of three, the session was moderated by accessibility consultant, Angus Drummond, founder of Limitless Travel.
He was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in his early 20s and left his investment banking career to travel the world. Upon returning home, he founded Limitless Travel which now takes 1,000 customers on accessible, inclusive and supported holidays each year.
More: Ade Adepitan to front Spanish accessibility and social inclusivity initiative
The focus of the first advisory panel session was changing mindsets and focusing on solutions, rather than problems.
Manuel Butler, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in the UK, said: “It was fantastic to hear from a range of accessibility experts and people with lived experiences of disability in order to guide the Spanish Tourist Office’s accessibility strategy.
“Spain aspires to be a welcoming destination with high-quality services that consider universal accessibility, and listening to experts is a key step along this journey.”
Members of the panel include:
Angus Drummond, founder, Limitless Travel (moderator)
Atlyn Forde, chief executive, Communicate Inclusively
Amanda Norey, executive recruitment consultant, Gail Kenny
Anthony William, founder, The World is Accessible
Angie Hills, head of destinations, Abta
Ben Kirby, chief executive, Enable Holidays
Harry Wales, Travelosophers
Jonathan Fletcher, chief executive, Wheelie Good Travel
Marina Snellingberg, PRM and accessibility manager, Tui
Monica Molina, senior sustainability consultant, Sustainability Solutions (Barcelona)
Paula Hansen, managing director, World Accessible Holidays
Susan Deer, director of industry relations, Abta
Sassy Wyatt, accessibility and travel consultant, Blind Girl Adventures
Manuel Butler, Spanish Tourist Office (UK)
Jesús Ruiz, head of sustainability and impact, Spanish Tourist Office (UK)
Miguel Carrasco, development director and director of tourism, Impulsa Igualdad/Tur4All (Spain)
Stelena Angelova, technician, Impulsa Igualdad/Tur4All (Spain)
Kate McWilliams, managing director, Lotus