Webinar Recording
Our next kōrero shines a light on the systemic barriers that continue to exclude disabled people from equitable access to tourism in Aotearoa.
Travel and tourism should be about discovery, relaxation, and joy — yet for many disabled people, it is instead defined by exclusion, stress, and limited options. Despite progress in some areas, systemic barriers remain across the sector. These include:
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Inaccessible transport links — from cruises, coaches, ferries, and buses without full accessibility, to limited options for renting adapted vehicles.
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Accommodation shortfalls — a lack of truly accessible hotel and/or motel rooms, poor booking systems that don’t guarantee availability, and limited choice compared to non-disabled travellers.
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Limited access to attractions and tours — many cultural sites, guided experiences, and recreational activities remain physically or sensory inaccessible, excluding individuals and whānau.
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Poor access to information — websites, booking platforms, and promotional materials often fail to provide clear accessibility details, leaving disabled people unable to plan with confidence.
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Systemic exclusion from planning — disabled people are rarely included in tourism policy or product design, meaning solutions are piecemeal rather than sector-wide.
For tourism to be truly inclusive, it must be accessible — not only through infrastructure and adaptive equipment, but also through attitudes, systems, and practices that recognise and value diversity.
Whether you’re a tourism operator, policymaker, advocate, or traveller, this session will offer insights and pathways towards a sector that is welcoming, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all. Join us to reimagine tourism in Aotearoa as a space of belonging and participation for everyone.
Download the Webinar Transcript
Date: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Time: 9am to 12pm
Where: via Zoom
Master of Ceremonies: Sam Fitness, Disability Advocate
Speakers: Hon. Louise Upston, Minister for Transport and Hospitality; Melissa James, Founder of Inclusive Tourism Australia; Kimberly Graham, Accessible Travel Writer, Creator of Grab Your Wheels, Let's Travel; Bruce Bassett, Chief Advisor, Strategy and Policy for Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA); Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala ONZM, Founder and CEO, Sudima Hotels and Hind Management; Lisa Bond, Destination Manager, Destination Kaikōura; Dr Brielle Gillovic, Senior Lecturer, School of Hospitality and Tourism, Auckland University of Technology (AUT); Dr Susan Houge Mackenzie, Associate Professor, Department of Tourism, University of Otago School of Business; Dr Eliza Raymond, Lecturer in Tourism Management, Programme Director, Wellington School of Business and Government; Simon Alefosio-Tuck, Ngāti Raukawa, Recreation Partnerships Advisor, Rotorua Lakes Council; Scott Herschberger, CEO, and Founder of Access Maps; Olivia Dobbs, Marketing and Events Coordinator, Top 10 Holiday Parks; Jezza Williams, Founder and CEO, Makingtrax Foundation; Margaret Hawkes, Managing Director, Freedom Mobility; Sandy Grant, Owner, Lead Holiday Planner and Tour Guide, Ability Adventures.
Moderators: Eamon Wood, Author of A Backpack, a Chair and a Beard; Teina Boyd, Accessibility Advisor at Tauranga City Council; Maria Stevens, Lead Accessible Formats Specialist, Blind & Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ Homai); Hope Cotton, Deaf Advocate, Co-President of the Victoria University of Wellington Disabled Students Association.
Attending: Anyone who wants to gain insights, share experiences, and be part of the movement toward a more equitable and inclusive tourism sector
Programme: Word Doc, Large Print, PDF, NZSL Intro, NZSL, Easy Read, Audio, Braille
Contact: Kimberly Graham via [email protected]