Member Article

Dual Purpose Accommodation Launched as Solution in UK Disabled Tourism Market

UK providers of accessible holiday accommodation, Omni Access, has launched Omnipods to ‘raise the bar in luxury outdoor living’ at UK holiday destinations. The current leisure market for disabled and reduced mobility individuals is significantly underdeveloped as campsites, holiday parks and hotels do not have the facilities to meet high demand for accessible accommodation in Britain.

To tackle the issue, Omni Access is sowing the seed for change, investing to create the Omnipod – a first to the market ‘plug in’ accommodation for holiday sites which are specially designed to include those who are disabled or ageing, but can also be easily adapted for able-bodied use. The dual-purpose accommodation proposes a commercial avenue for businesses in the UK holiday sector.

The understated, luxury glamping-style pod has 100% functionality for the physically impaired with features including; a custom-built kitchen, spacious wet room, level entry wide doors, at least 1.5m turning circles making it wheel-chair friendly, plus electrical sockets and USB ports at appropriate heights. The click-in/click-out mobility fittings can be easily removed to quickly transform the Omnipod into a mainstream accommodation option.

OmniPod designer and Company Founder, Paddy Costeloe, who was left paralysed following a lifechanging boating accident, explains the purpose behind the Omnipod movement: “As my family and I adjusted to my life in a wheelchair, I’ve experienced first-hand the significant difficulty faced when finding a suitable holiday location. Most holiday destinations in our country are inaccessible for families with a member who has an impairment, and not only does this cause huge restrictions for a demographic that is being somewhat neglected, there is an opportunity for businesses to cater for this growing market.

“In the last 12 months 430,000 British adults with an impairment did not take a domestic trip due to lack of accessibility provision, equating to a £116.7 million opportunity.

It’s important that we raise awareness of this in order to shape the future of UK tourism so that the disabled, elderly and wheelchair users are no longer hugely restricted when it comes to choosing their British holiday destination. It’s time that the staycation is for all and the Omnipod brings a solution for this. I am passionate about a huge opportunity for the sector to provide accommodation which enables everyone to venture outside and explore our beautiful country!“

Paul Nadin, Managing Director of UK specialist travel agent, Disabled Holidays, also addresses the news, saying: “Over the past 12 months Disabled Holidays has been unable to find availability at UK destinations for 19% of our customers, with this rising to 50% for popular locations such as Devon and Cornwall.

“We welcome Omnipods’ investment and ‘plug in’ solution for the UK market to help to grow supply for accessible holiday accommodation.”

Omnipods bring businesses the solution to cater for this shortage, and an opportunity to invest in the accessible tourism sector of the market.

The Omnipod will be featured at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show at the NEC in Birmingham from 19th – 24th February 2019.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Bethany .