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Excelling in Accessible Hospitality: 6 Strategies for Accessibility Excellence

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Guest blog by Sage Inclusion

In the dynamic world of hospitality, accessibility isn’t just a compliance checkbox – it’s a gateway to a revenue opportunity catering to 1.3 billion people with disabilities. At Sage Inclusion, we recognise that true accessibility transcends legal requirements; it’s about crafting an environment that is fair, welcoming, and adaptable to diverse needs.

As we celebrate the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, it’s the perfect time to guide our hospitality partners toward practices that champion inclusivity. Drawing from our 15 years of accessible travel expertise, we share crucial insights to maximise accessibility for both team members and customers.

Improve Facility Accessibility Examine accessibility in a thorough and comprehensive manner. Many accessibility improvements are cheap to implement. Sage Inclusion encourages evaluations by an internal or external accessibility expert with an International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) certification. Understand the assessment basis and whether it follows international standards, local laws, or specific travel sector guidelines.

Document and Publish Accessibility Features Accessibility documentation should be crystal clear. Identify the format of publicly available, free accessibility documentation and its presence across various locations. Whether it’s detailed descriptions or photos, clarity is key for the best experience. Sage Inclusion emphasises having this information accessible on relevant platforms including destination websites and travel business websites.

Deliver Excellent Customer Service The third pillar revolves around inclusive policies, processes, and training. Sage Inclusion advocates for comprehensive accessibility training, covering disability awareness and role-specific aspects. We guide organisations on developing effective training programs, ensuring staff across different locations are well-equipped to handle the diverse needs of guests.

Incorporate Accessibility into RFP’s When evaluating destinations and accommodations, ask critical questions during the Request for Proposal (RFP) process to comprehensively assess accessibility. Covering mobility, cognitive, hearing, vision, and allergy considerations, our approach aligns with The Three Pillars of Accessible Travel: accessible facilities, accessibility documentation, and accessible customer service.

View 13 accessibility questions to include in RFP’s

Certify Your Accessibility Gain a competitive advantage in the accessible travel market with an accessibility certification. Sage Inclusion provides the travel industry’s only accessibility certification that covers five disability types based on ISO Accessible Travel Standards.

Learn more about Sage Inclusions’ certifications

Market to People with Disabilities Extend your reach to travellers with disabilities through organic search, PPC, accessible travel bloggers, accessible travel agents, and accessible tour operators like Accessible Travel Solutions .

Hospitality businesses who embrace all six steps ensure that they achieve improved customer service, decreased costs, and increased revenue in the large and growing accessible travel market. Accessibility can be a competitive advantage in acquiring customers in the leisure travel, business travel, and meetings and events sectors.

Visit Sage inclusion to embark on a journey toward a more inclusive future.

Discover how members of the Alliance's global network are advancing EDI, on the path to Net Positive Hospitality

Read about how Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is reaching across barriers to engage local talent .

Meet Monicah and Manuel , who secured employment at Radisson Blu Hotel and Residence, after taking part in our Employability Programme.

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Combatting human trafficking in the hospitality sector: a call to action

Understand and overcome the barriers to employment for young people

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Accessibility and Accessible Tourism: The Conceptual Evolution Through the Analysis of the Literature

• First Online: 30 August 2023

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• Chiara Rossato 4 &
• Rossella Baratta 5  

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology ((BRIEFSAPPLSCIENCES))

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The desire for sustainable growth and inclusivity is increasing. Accessibility is a critical feature of inclusion, particularly in tourism, one of the world’s largest industries. The purpose of this chapter is to shed light on the conceptual evolution of accessible tourism in the light of technological developments through a review of the literature on the topic. This chapter first presents the theoretical background of the concepts of diversity, inclusion and accessibility in tourism. It then explains the methodology followed for the literature review and presents an analysis of the results. Finally, reflections and future research directions are proposed.

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Rossato, C., Baratta, R. (2023). Accessibility and Accessible Tourism: The Conceptual Evolution Through the Analysis of the Literature. In: Cassia, F., Castellani, P., Rossato, C. (eds) Accessible Tourism in the Digital Ecosystem. SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38782-1_1

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Tourism for all – UNWTO presents “Accessibility and Inclusive Tourism Development” - Compendium of Best Practices

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• 19 May 2021

The UNWTO Affiliate Members Department, within the framework of the activities of the Working Group on Accessible Tourism, organized the Expert Meeting on Accessible Tourism – Good Practices on Accessible Tourism in Nature Areas at FITUR Next.

This event provided a space to recognize the importance of incorporating accessibility into the tourism practices in nature environments, share knowledge and experiences by UNWTO Affiliate Members and other tourism stakeholders, and provide recommendation on how to strengthen accessibility and create an accessible tourism for all.

At the event, the publication Accessibility and Inclusive Tourism Development – Compendium of Best Practices , available in the UNWTO E-Library, was launched and presented to the audience. This publication is the result of the work carried out in the last months by the Working Group on Accessible Tourism, coordinated by the Affiliate Members Department and chaired by the Spanish Network for Accessible Tourism (Red Estable).

We trust this publication will provide all relevant stakeholders with tools and resources to make their tourism destinations, facilities and services accessible for all

Its aim is to create an accessible pathway in nature, from which to descry a new approach for inclusive tourism development in natural areas, which is very much in line with the UNWTO priority to foster an Accessible Tourism for All and so contributing to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The compilation of best practices included in the publication and the final recommendations provides innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions that enable access to nature for all the people.

In the words of UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili: There is still a lot of work to be done, as we are still far from guaranteeing a universally accessible tourism sector. However, we trust this publication will provide all relevant stakeholders with tools and resources to make their tourism destinations, facilities and services accessible for all. We also hope it will serve as a source of inspiration for them to continue working, so that tourism becomes truly accessible.

Within the framework of the event, representatives of the entities which contributed to the publication shared with the audience their projects, all very different in terms of contents but sharing the common goal of promoting an Accessible Tourism for All and supporting the right of people with disabilities to travel. Accessible accommodations in nature, accessibility to natural parks and beaches, and the use of plastic to manufacture accessible products were only some of the topics that were presented.

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• Download the news release in PDF
• Expert Meeting on Accessible Tourism: Good Practices on Accessible Tourism in Nature Areas
• Accessibility and Inclusive Tourism Development in Nature Areas – Compendium of Best Practices

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What is Accessible Tourism and Why is it So Important?

Accessible tourism is an integral part of implementing sustainable tourism. When most people hear the term ‘accessible tourism’, they immediately think of disabled people and things such as audio devices for the blind and ramps for those in wheelchairs. Yes, this is an important part of accessible tourism, BUT accessible tourism is actually MUCH more than this!

Accessible tourism is about providing access to tourism for people from all walks of life and all kinds of backgrounds- provision for disabled people makes up just one fragment of this.

This article sets out to cover the broad spectrum of areas that are encompassed within the concept of accessible tourism. I will explain what accessible tourism is, provide some definitions of accessible tourism and then I will discuss at length the factors influencing accessible tourism.

What is accessible tourism?

Definitions of accessible tourism, why is accessible tourism important, factors influencing access to tourism, disposable income, cost of travel, cost of tourism, cost of living, exchange rate, available leisure time, nature of employment, stage of life, social environment, access to transport , cultural attitude, images of destination, perception of destination, familiarity with destination, uncertainty over future, political stability, disease , natural disaster, social conditions , economic conditions, level of development, government attitude to tourism, laws or restrictions, availability of resources for tourism, attractions , mega-events, marketing and promotion, technology , startegies to implement accessible tourism, accessible tourism: conclusion, further reading on accessible tourism.

Accessibility in tourism is a social right- everyone should have access regardless of where they come from, their age, their gender, any disabilities they may have, hope much money they earn etc.

Also sometimes referred to as ‘ tourism for all ‘, accessible tourism is closely aligned with the principles of sustainable tourism . In order for an organisation to be sustainable, it should provide access opportunities for all.

Accessible tourism provides opportunities for all types of people to take part in tourism activities.

People’s needs vary considerably- while one person may have a physical disability, another person may be financially disadvantaged or may not have access to the technology required to organise their trip.

By ensuring there is accessible tourism, destinations are enhancing their business prospects by attracting a wider range of tourists than they may otherwise achieve.

Accessible tourism involves a collaborative process among all stakeholders in tourism including Governments, international agencies, tour-operators and tourists themselves.

There are many things to consider when planning for accessible tourism, such as accessing information, travel arrangements to the destination, local transportation, accommodation, shopping, and hospitality.

There is no universally agreed and approved definition of the term accessible tourism, which perhaps contributes to the lack of clarity that many people have in understanding what constitutes accessible tourism.

The concept of accessible tourism has evolved considerably throughout recent years. This is largely because society has become more aware and more inclusive. This has resulted in discussions about accessibility coming to the forefront amongst tourism stakeholders.

Below I have outlined some of the commonly noted definitions, however, it is important to remember that the concept is likely to continue to evolve further and that the term be need to be ‘redefined’ as necessary.

Accessible tourism (also known as access tourism, ‘universal tourism’, ‘inclusive tourism’ and in some countries such as in Japan ‘barrier-free tourism’) is tourism and travel that is accessible to all people, with disabilities or not, including those with mobility, hearing, sight, cognitive, or intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, older persons and those with temporary disabilities”  ( Takayama Declaration – Appendix, UNESCAP, 2009 ). 

‘Accessible tourism refers to tourism that caters to the needs of a full range of consumers including persons with disabilities, older persons and cross-generational families. It entails removal of attitudinal and institutional barriers in society, and encompasses accessibility in the physical environment, in transportation, information and communications and other facilities and services. It encompasses publicly and privately owned tourist locations.’ ( Takayama City and UNESCAP Conference – Press Release – Takayama, 2009 )

‘Accessible tourism is a process of enabling people with disabilities and seniors to function independently and with equity and dignity through the delivery of universal tourism products, services and environments. The definition is inclusive of the mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive dimensions of access.’ (Darcy, 2006)

‘ Accessible tourism enables people with access requirements, including mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive dimensions of access, to function independently and with equity and dignity through the delivery of universally designed tourism products, services and environments. This definition is inclusive of all people including those travelling with children in prams, people with disabilities and seniors’. (Darcy & Dickson, 2009)

More posts that may interest you- – Types of tourism: A glossary – Everything you need to know about sustainable tourism – Enclave tourism: An explanation – The structure of the tourism industry – What is the sharing economy and how does impact travel and tourism?

Accessible tourism is not just about people with disabilities, it is about everyone.

Accessibility is a central element of any responsible and sustainable development policy , both in the context of tourism and in other areas.

Accessible tourism is important because accessibility is a human right and an important business opportunity. By ensuring that tourism is accessible, there is more scope for business development for individuals and from a top-down perspective.

In order to ensure that accessible tourism is developed in a sustainable manner, tourism stakeholders must develop policies and practices aimed at achieving inclusivity, avoiding practices that include preferential or segregated treatment.

There are many factors that may influence a person’s access to tourism. In order for tourism to be developed and managed in a sustainable way, these factors should be taken into consideration at the planning stage and throughout implementation.

Accessible tourism: Economic factors

There are many economic reasons that tourism may not be accessible for some people. I will outline some of the major economic factors below.

Travel and tourism is considered a luxury in that it is not essential to maintain life. As a result, when a person does not have much disposable (or ‘extra’) income, the first thing to suffer is often their holidays.

During times of financial hardship, such as an economic recession, the tourism industry is one of the first areas to suffer.

Therefore, disposable income is a key contributor to the travel and tourism industry.

A key contributor to accessible tourism is price. If the price of travel is too high, many people will not be able to access it.

The tourism industry really took off with the growth of the low cost carrier . Reductions in the price of flights, coupled with growing route networks, made travel and tourism more accessible.

But it’s not just about the cost of travelling to a destination. The price of tourism facilities in the destination is also a key factor in attaining accessible tourism.

If hotels and tourist attractions are very expensive, this will likely mean that many people will not be able to access the tourism industry in this area.

The cost of living in both the tourism traveller region and the tourism destination region (for more on this see my post on Leiper’s tourism system ) can have a significant impact on accessible tourism.

If the cost of living is high in either area, tourists may not be able to financially access tourism.

Exchange rates are particularly important in international tourism .

Tourists who are based in a country with a strong currency (such as the UK, the USA, Australia ) are naturally at an economic advantage over tourists who live in countries with weaker countries.

This is because their money goes further when they travel abroad, particularly if they choose to travel to a destination with a currency that is weaker than the currency used in their home country.

Accessible tourism: Social factors

There are also many social factors that contribute to accessible tourism. I will introduce you to these below.

Accessible tourism is dependant on whether a person has the free time to spend on tourism.

Many countries around the world now offer their employees paid leave each year. This has resulted in a growth in tourism because people have more available leisure time.

Whether you have a lot of time to spend on travel and tourism or not can be dependant on the type of employment that you have.

For me, one of the reasons that I work in education is so that I have lots of free leisure time to travel!

However, some jobs do not offer such flexibility and may offer reduced leisure time.

A person’s physical ability to take part in tourism is a key contributor to accessible tourism.

This includes physical disabilities, illnesses and health that is effected by age.

There are many things that tourism stakeholders can do to ensure that tourism is accessible such as providing ramps for people who are in wheelchairs, brail cards for the blind and lifts for those who find stairs challenging.

Accessible tourism should enable people to access tourism no matter what stage of life they are in. This means that there should be facilities for young children, such as ramps of buggies, as well as facilities for the elderly.

Tourism destinations should try to differentiate the products that they have on offer to cater for people of all ages.

Education may have an impact on how accessible tourism is for a person.

For example, it has been a long debated topic about whether students should be allowed to take holidays during the school term. Prices invariably rise as soon as school breaks up, meaning that some families can no longer afford the tourism products that are on offer.

Different people come from different social environments and this should not make tourism any more or less accessible.

A social environment could be centred around a particular culture or religion, for example.

It could also be related to particular hobbies and interests.

Some people have more access to transport than others. This is commonly noted when comparing city living to rural living. In towns and cities there is typically a wider range of transport options than in rural areas.

In fact, transport accessibility is one of the greatest challenges that the rural tourism industry faces.

Psychological factors

Psychological factors also play a significant role in accessible tourism. Here is a summary:

If a person is not motivated to visit a certain area, they probably won’t- it’s as simple as that!

A person’s cultural attitude can be an important factor in accessible tourism.

For example, people want to feel that their culture will be treated with respect.

Some people think they are superior or inferior to others, and if this is the case then they may not wish to travel to a particular area in which they hold this view.

The image of a destination is a key factor in determining if a person may be likely to visit.

Many of us want to visit Thailand because of the many images of exotic beaches that we can see, for example.

However, some people may not want to travel to Thailand because they perceive it to be a bad country because of the poverty levels or because of sex tourism in Thailand .

This demonstrates that perception also plays a key role in accessible tourism.

Many people prefer to travel to a destination because they are familiar with it.

This may be because they have travelled to said destination before, or it may be because they have seen their favourite influencer talk about it on Instagram .

Familiarity with a destination can be a motivational factor.

Sometimes tourists feel that they have a ‘connection’ to a place.

In some instances this may be a physical connection- a family member may live there or the tourist may have a strong history in the area.

In other cases tourists may feel that they have a psychological connection with a place. They may affiliate with the culture or the ‘feel’ of the place.

Whilst for some people, distance is no issue, other people prefer to stay closer to home.

And some people prefer not to travel to particular areas or using particular modes of transport because of fear.

A person made be afraid of flying, for example.

Another factor that can influence accessible tourism is uncertainty that a person may have in their future.

Many people may not want to go on holiday if they have worries over aspects such as their job security or money.

The 2020 Coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated more than ever that people are nervous to travel when there are political, economic and health uncertainties.

Broader factors (macro-determinants)

Alongside the environmental, social and economic factors that influence accessible tourism, there are also several macro-determinants which can play a key role. Some examples include:

Destinations that are experiencing or that have recently experience terrorist attacks are unlikely to be accessible tourism destinations.

e.g. New York after the 9/11 attacks, Tunisia after the shootings in 2015, Bali after the bombing in 2002.

Areas that have ongoing war are also unlikely to be accessible tourism destinations.

One exception is Israel. Israel continues to welcome tourists, despite ongoing feuds with Palestine. I watched rockets being shot out of then sky when I was there, it was pretty scary. You can read all about that here.

Destinations that are experiencing political instability are not likely to welcome tourists with open arms.

They also often receive a lot of negative media attention, which can impact tourist motivations to travel to the area in the near future.

e.g. Thailand Bangkok riots in 2018, Egyptian revolution in 2011.

If a person does not feel safe and secure in a destination, they may not feel that it is accessible.

There are many parts of Africa and Central America that revive fewer visitors for this reason.

Many tourists will avoid travelling to areas that have disease.

This has never been more prevalent than the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, which has a devastating impact on the tourism industry.

Natural disasters often hit tourist destinations hard.

The 2001 tsunami, the Nepalese earthquake in 2015 and Hurricane Katrina in the USA in 2005 all had terrible consequences for the tourism sector.

Many people do not want to be faced with particular social conditions when they go on holiday.

This may be things such as poverty, gun crime or smoking.

Many tourists do not want to experience tourism in poor areas.

The economic conditions here mean that accessible tourism is not achieved.

Other people are influenced by levels of development.

Many less economically developed countries do not experience the same levels of tourism is Western nations because of their inferior levels of development.

This include aspects such as an underdeveloped airport or road infrastructure.

In some parts of the world the Government may not have a favourable attitude towards tourism.

There could be a lot of corruption, for example. Or there could be high taxes on tourism activities.

Some people choose not to travel to particular areas because of the laws or restrictions placed upon them.

A common example of this is people who are in same-sex relationships who wish to visit destinations in The Middle East. Rules and punishments for same-sex relationships shown in public can be severe; making tourism inaccessible for some.

Some areas are not accessible destinations because they lack the sources required for tourism.

Perhaps the area does not have a well developed road infrastructure or enough water to fill the hotel swimming pool, for example.

Attractions can be a big draw to a destinations for tourists. Likewise, a lack of attractions may put tourists off.

Mega-events can often result in overtourism and congestion.

Mega-events could be the reason a person visits the area, but it could also put a person off visiting.

In order for accessible tourism to be achieved, all types of visitors should be made aware of what is on offer.

This is where good marketing and promotion come in.

Lastly, technology can have a significant influence on whether accessible tourism is achieved or not.

Nowadays, many people will rely on technology for research purposes and to book the components of their holiday .

Therefore, those who do not have adequate access to such technology may be disadvantaged.

There are many strategies that tourism destinations and organisations can use to implement accessible tourism. This includes:

• Encouraging policies and actions to support social tourism at all levels
• Ensuring universal adherence to workers’ leave entitlement, safeguarding this aspect of social security guaranteed by the European social model 
• Designing and adapting tourism facilities and sites to meet physical disability needs
• Improving information relevant to disabled people and under-privileged groups 
• Encouraging a broad price range in tourism facilities and experiences 
• Pursuing specific schemes to facilitate and encourage holiday-taking by people on low incomes, such as the holiday voucher systems run in some countries based on tax incentives and involving governments and operators
• Having effective marketing and promotion strategies

Accessible tourism is not a luxury, it is a right. Everybody should have access to tourism.

In order for tourism to be sustainable, it should do its upmost to development and implement accessible tourism where possible. This will inevitably have positive outcomes for the overall business development. As I have explained in this article, the three keys areas of the environment, economy and society should be considered when planning for accessible tourism.

To learn more about accessible tourism, I suggest that you consult the texts listed below.

• Accessible Tourism: Concepts and Issues – This book sets out to explore and document the current theoretical approaches, foundations and issues in the study of accessible tourism.
• Best Practice in Accessible Tourism: Inclusion, Disability, Ageing Population and Tourism – It brings together global expertise in planning, design and management to inform and stimulate providers of travel, transport, accommodation, leisure and tourism services to serve guests with disabilities, seniors and the wider markets that require good accessibility. 

Accessible tech is making travel more inclusive — and setting better standards for the hospitality industry

• Travelers with mobility disabilities spend $58.2 billion on travel annually.
• Some hospitality businesses are becoming more inclusive with accessible tech for disabled travelers.
• Digital and physical tech has helped improve accessible travel experiences, but more can be done.
• This article is part of " Build IT ," a series about digital-tech trends disrupting industries.

On December 31, 2017, when I was a 25-year-old athlete and actor, I was admitted to my local hospital because I couldn't feel anything below my chest. In the coming months, I was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, similar to multiple sclerosis. 

That year, I relearned how to do everything from walking to driving and reacclimated my mind to a world that didn't know or care that my body would move and function differently forever. As a Black woman, my lived experience was already intersectional, but my NMO diagnosis added another layer.

This particularly affected my relationship with traveling. It took years for me to feel comfortable with taking trips again, and when I finally did, I needed to keep accessibility top of mind. I quickly realized places that offered amenities such as ramps and elevators were helpful, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

To achieve true accessibility, hospitality establishments must use both digital and physical technologies to be more inclusive.

Accessibility-focused databases help disabled travelers plan their trips

Isabelle Ducharme is the president of the board of directors at Kéroul , an organization dedicated to making Quebec an accessible destination for all travelers. 

"I was an aircraft mechanic for the army here, and I had a car accident on the eve of my 22nd birthday, and now I get around in a motorized wheelchair," Ducharme told me. "One of the things that helped me through rehab was knowing that I could still travel and do my activities. I was still in rehab when I went to my first Rod Stewart concert and when I did my first trip to Mexico."

Over the past 25 years, the Ministry of Tourism for Quebec has relied on Kéroul to help with the province's accessibility-related needs and innovations. Kéroul has been so successful that the Minister of Tourism endowed the organization with $5 million in 2017 to distribute over the course of five years to help organizations in Quebec without the funding become more accessible. 

Ducharme and her Kéroul teammates hope that when the financial responsibility of funding-accessible services is lightened, more business owners will be open to creating and updating spaces with inclusivity at the forefront.

Kéroul also evaluates buildings and venues in the tourism industry to accredit accessible certification in Quebec, which means that these locations are fully accessible to people of all ability ranges and can be advertised as such. Its certifications are the only ones recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Tourism. 

Kéroul executes these evaluations by sending an expert to assess a certain spot and ensure accessible criteria are met. They then give the space an accessible rating level — full access, partial access, or not accessible — and provide a breakdown of how noncompliant areas can improve.

If a space gains certification, it's added to the Bonjour Quebec website, the official website for the tourism board of Quebec, and included in Quebec for All , a platform with a searchable database of over 1,800 accessible tourist establishments. This digital resource is a huge help for those who need to keep accessibility in mind while planning a trip.

Quebec for All also has an interactive digital map that allows travelers to see the accessible offerings at a location, discover what other fully or partially accessible locations are nearby, prepare for places that don't have the amenities they need, and more. 

Accessible tech at accommodation facilities is creating truly all-inclusive stays

Picking a destination and getting there are just part of the journey for many disabled travelers. While a number of hotels, inns, and lodgings have standard accessible rooms, it's a pleasant surprise when there are special amenities that make an all-inclusive stay memorable for everyone. 

For example, resorts such as Mayakoba in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, are using coded wristbands instead of thin plastic key cards for visitors to enter their rooms and access other parts of the resort. The wristbands are helpful for people who have difficulty holding and maneuvering smaller items such as standard key cards. 

Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is also addressing accessibility needs with technology. It has over 60 rooms integrated with accessible amenities: Some are reserved for clients with hearing and visual impairments and equipped with a Room Valet visual alerting system and a bed that shakes when the doorbell is pushed. 

These rooms come in all sizes and suite styles, from a studio to a presidential suite, so that people who need accessible rooms aren't limited by affordability. This location also has Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant beach wheelchairs and wheelchair access to the beach, which are in high demand at the waterfront destination.

Popular tourist destinations are incorporating more accessible tech 

Tourist hot spots and cool local spots are slowly but surely embracing more accessible technology. The Lincoln Center in New York City is a prime example.

The Lincoln Center offers experiences and features such as virtual shows made for people with dementia and their caregivers; text captions, downloaded from a QR code, for shows and performances; and art series featuring fully realized virtual worlds via platforms like Arium , which allows users to create and engage in virtual exhibitions and communities. 

Miranda Hoffner, the director of accessibility at the Lincoln Center, said that people who are neurodivergent and sensory-seeking — meaning they search for and engage with sensory input and stimulation — also "have great experiences" using the vibration vests at events including silent discos. "We're enjoying experimenting with this tool and showing audiences that we can decenter sound," she added.

Hoffner also regularly scours New York City and the internet to find accessibility innovators across the world who can host or lead accessibility-focused events at their venues.

Improving accessible tech for the future of travel

The hospitality industry has a long way to go when it comes to accessibility.

A study by MMGY Global , a marketing and research agency that specializes in travel and tourism, found that travelers with mobility disabilities spent $58.2 billion on travel annually and were going on leisure trips at nearly the same frequency as those without mobility issues. Since many disabled travelers do not travel alone — typically taking trips with a caregiver, a colleague, or a family member — more accessibility tech within the hospitality industry could help businesses boost their revenue.

Two of the biggest issues with increasing accessible tech in this field are documentation of its benefits and the price of acquiring and integrating the tech. Many hotels and destinations either have trouble notating, or simply do not document, how much revenue they've made because of the accessible tech and services they provide.

Take Ocean Casino Resort, for example. Brian Brennan, the establishment's public-relations manager and a wheelchair user who gave me a tour of the resort, said the business reported more than $47.6 million in gross operating profits in the first half of 2023. This is 40% higher than it was within the same time frame in 2022.

But there's a catch: Brennan said the increase in revenue "is not solely related to the disabled community" but that he considered it "a testament to the success a property can have when it is committed to being inclusive to guests of all walks of life."

Still, calculating how often accessible rooms and amenities are booked and requested is a more tangible way to help investors see the financial benefit of contributing to these offerings in travel spaces. 

This presents an open field of opportunities for tech innovators to partner with the hospitality industry to create accountability measures for accessible amenities. Once the numbers are there, administrators will have a stronger case to get board members and investors to allocate money for accessibility.

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Why Accessibility is a Must for Hospitality Industry

In today’s world, finding a hotel for guests with disabilities is increasingly accomplished from a smartphone or laptop. A visit to the hotel’s website is the first step. Travelers with disabilities frequently ask whether the hotel is accessible. Their first stop is the hotel’s website to see if it has the infrastructure they need for […]

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January 25, 2022

In today’s world, finding a hotel for guests with disabilities is increasingly accomplished from a smartphone or laptop. A visit to the hotel’s website is the first step. Travelers with disabilities frequently ask whether the hotel is accessible. Their first stop is the hotel’s website to see if it has the infrastructure they need for a convenient and enjoyable stay.

For the hospitality sector, providing accessible services to disabled guests could be a highly profitable proposition. A recent study indicates that over half of disabled travelers prefer to stay in hotels or motels. That means over 16 million people are ready to pay $100 each night on a trip. However, research indicated that 46% of travelers with disabilities had difficulty accessing the hotel’s website.

ADA(Americans with Disabilities Act) web accessibility litigations

As you prepare for the travel season, it is business-critical to ensure that you comply with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Non-compliance could lead to a hefty ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) lawsuit and bring disrepute to the business. The Americans with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) Title III claims come in many forms and sizes. Still, they all derive from the same principle: places of public accommodation, such as hotels, motels, and other lodging places, cannot discriminate against disabled people. 

Quick Accessibility suggestions

Ensure accessible web and mobile application.

Before we all plan our travels, we need to do some homework on where we’ll be staying, including reviews and essential amenities. As a general rule, if finding accessibility-related information takes more than a few clicks, we may infer it is not a priority. Accessibility should be embedded within the application like any other feature to deliver a flawless customer experience.

Easy booking system

The lack of an accessible booking system is a significant barrier for many individuals with disabilities. Include an opportunity to reserve accessible accommodation directly, highlighting the characteristics and who the room will fit, if possible. This will ensure that the guests do not have to contact the hotel each time, saving their and the employees’ precious time.

Map out accessible rooms

Is it true that they are on the ground floor? Is there a lift to the room or not? Since some disabled guests may require more equipment, such as a bigger power chair, attempt to locate accessible rooms in the most convenient places. The ground floor is best, but visitors usually want a view, and providing a variety of alternatives shows compassion.

Design the bedrooms

The bedroom should be entirely open to the outside world. Include grab rails in the bathroom, large-button phones, and even the option of vibrating pillows to alert persons with hearing impairments to any alarms. Consider the height of beds, since some people will need to transfer from their power chair to bed, and the same goes for the fittings. Maintain an appropriate height for everything in the room to ensure that everyone has access to the services.

Touch screens are becoming more common as technology advances. On the other hand, touch displays might be difficult for certain people, so be sure to include features like big buttons and clear instructions.

Accessibility training for employees

When aiding individuals with impairments, your employees must be confident. It’s vital to remember that not every room will be ideal, and guests may have special pillow preferences and requests. As a result, your employee should be able to determine which rooms are the easiest to access.

We specialize in website, and app accessibility audits for the hotel and tourism industries. With years of experience, we can assist your business in building a customized, user-friendly compliance plan. Talk to our accessibility experts to explore how we can help you.

Best Practice in Tourism Accessibility and Inclusion: Case Study of Ireland

In this Blog, key NTG partner, TU Dublin, School of Hospitality Management and Tourism, explores accessibility, inclusion, best practice and skill requirements in tourism destinations.  Paudie Healy, CEO of Universal Access Ireland , shares his insights and experiences of best practices in the sector.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one billion people around the world live with some form of disability, and this number will increase as people live longer . The UN estimates that by 2050 approximately 1.6 billion people in the world will be over 65 years-old . In the European Union’s 27 states, more than one fifth of the population is now age 65 or more, and it is projected that the share of those aged 80 years or above will have a two-and-a-half fold increase from 2020 to 2100 .

Developing best practice in accessibility and inclusion has become one important aspect of public policy in tourism. In 2018, the EU and the European Commission developed the ‘European Capital of Smart Tourism Initiative’ to strengthen destinations, create positive tourism experiences for all and promote the exchange of best practices in Europe . The initiative awards cities based in four categories: accessibility, sustainability, digitalization and cultural heritage and creativity. In 2020, Malaga and Gothenburg won the award, taking the lead in the continent and becoming example cities in sustainable practices and accessibility.  However, ending barriers in accessibility is still challenging in the industry and continued actions to bring awareness and inclusiveness when travelling are certainly needed.

What defines accessible tourism?

Accessible tourism involves ensuring that tourism destinations, products and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age. Requirements to accessibility include cognitive, hearing, mobility and vision dimensions, but it also includes any person that needs to access places with ease, for example, parents with prams, or seniors with mobility needs.  The need  for accessibility remains a problem in many destinations, which highlights efforts to create new experiences for visitors and to remove any psychological, physical or cultural barriers in destinations . According to the UNWTO , it has become more than imperative to redefine and redesign destinations and attractions, to promote inclusiveness and to ensure accessible tourism for all.  As Europe’s population ages, the future requirements for best practices in the sector will increase. Tackling barriers to accessibility promotes sustainability for the tourism industry, and quality of life for all travelers. The recovery of the sector after the Covid-19 health crisis must include solutions for a better and inclusive visitor experience, as it will impact significantly on the future of the industry.

Best practices in tourism attractions and destinations

Best practices in the sector include a wide number of initiatives such as architecture solutions and modernization of access to attractions for improving the visiting of people with mobility issues, the use of technology to enhance the experience for people with hearing or visual disability, improved services in the transportation, accommodation, and food and beverage sector and new ways of communication. The concept of universal design has gained importance in the sector, and there has been progress in destinations to improve competitiveness and quality of services. The concept of universal design is that the whole environment  is accessible and can be used by everyone, regardless of people’s age, size or disability. This includes public spaces such as streets, buildings and the organization of services and digital information technology for accessibility .

Among the good practices evaluation criteria present in the UNWTO policy for promoting accessibility and inclusive tourism development in public spaces and nature areas are :

• Public and private collaboration
• The elaboration of plans with the participation of representative entities of people with disabilities and experts in accessible tourism
• Training related to accessibility, improving employee skills in awareness and to care for people with disabilities
• The implementation of accessibility with a design process carried out by specialized people
• Sustainability of the project over time
• The possibility of replication of the project

All practices must bring solutions that will raise awareness of the needs and rights of travelers and make tourism more inclusive and accessible for all, overcoming challenges and guaranteeing an enjoyable travel experience.

Best practices in accessible tourism: interview with Paudie Healy, CEO Universal Access Ireland

Ireland is known for its diverse heritage attractions, nature parks and museums. In 2018 and 2019 the cities of Killarney and Tralee, in County Kerry, launched plans to become flagship towns in accessibility in Ireland . The changes include accessible pedestrian routes in all greenway and in cultural activities and spaces, implementation of universal design for city mobility, the redesign of public spaces, the improvement of technology for  Braille readers and those who experience hearing difficulties, the development of initiatives to encourage accommodation providers to improve accessibility, and training for tourism providers and for public awareness in accessibility .

Paudie Healy, the CEO of Universal Access Ireland, an organization that delivers solutions in Universal design and accessibility to the public and private sector in Ireland, has been working on improving accessibility in the hospitality and tourism sector. Paudie is an expert in accessibility and inclusive design, having been appointed to four national European standards committees, and as a non-executive board director of the European Network for Accessible Tourism. He is also a Universal Design taskforce member with the International Air Transport Association and a former appointee by the Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport in Ireland to the Government Tourism Leadership Group.

He talked to us about accessibility, inclusion and skills training in tourism and hospitality:

What are the key points of developing accessibility and inclusion in services or business?

“Having family members with a disability and aging, I have a good understanding of the barriers to participating  in tourism experiences, and where the divide is. I also know from a business perspective that businesses don’t realize that the barriers are there and once you explain to them, the solution sometimes can be very small. It doesn’t have to be a huge investment to make some changes:   disability and inclusion training, bias awareness, small changes can start the journey. It’s all about getting on the journey, and when you start to make those changes you start to understand the barriers. But the key thing for me, always, going into business or public service, it comes down to leadership and cultural change. You have to start at the top and if you embed leadership and culture at the top of the organization, at CEO and board level, Disability and age inclusion, person centric authenticity becomes part of the DNA of the business. It just becomes another objective in business, the same as finances, the same as health and safety, the same as marketing, accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities and age just becomes part of your business. We then go on to develop a road map including strategy, action plans, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting This gives a return in investments, environmental return, sustainability return and social return. There are very few things that gives you all of those but yet if you are on this path that’s what you will get from inclusion and a person-centered approach”.

What is the role of skills training to promote accessibility in tourism?

“I think training is paramount, because that’s where everything starts. You have to make sure that people are aware in the first place there are barriers in their organization, facilities, product, services or IT. But training has to be in every level and it even needs to form part of training with legislators, because they have to understand the policy they are creating. From a tourism perspective, it is vital from the state agencies that they understand when there is planning in destination development both nationally and locally, that nobody can be left out. We have some very key legislation, directives, standards international best practice now in Europe that backs that up. In the training, we have to meet every touch point in the customers journey like in Information – searching and bookings on websites, platforms and mobile, in Transport – vehicles, terminals, transfers, assistance, in Infrastructure –  external environment, attractions, accommodations, restaurants, streets and beaches, in Services  – hospitality, packages, tour guides, excursions, menus, activities and IT, in Public Services – public transport, public attractions, footpaths, parking, universal toilets  and once you create that awareness you start to develop different modules in customer service training. I will give you an example of simple hotel housekeeping daily service; when you are going to a hotel, everyone has the shower head set at the highest level. Does it not make more sense if you have it at the lowest level, so a person of any size, or stature, or ability is able to move it up to their own height, and have wet rooms that everyone can universally use? Through a universal design approach, we start that process and with that approach, we make sure that everyone can use the facility or get the service. It is clear that training is critical at all levels”.

Would you be able to highlight the key skills required to training in hospitality and tourism?

“If you are looking at a higher state agency level, first of all they have to understand users’ needs and different abilities. And it is critical when we talk about universal design, accessibility and inclusion, we are talking about different people’s needs, diverse needs, we are not talking about their health condition, we are just talking about user’s needs. Do we give a customer service, a public service, to every individual with equity? When we are looking into the modules and training, awareness on different user’s needs is critical.  Procurement is critical, we must make sure everyone is being included through a universal design approach in all tender documents. That’s a whole process there as well writing up the tender, user input from diverse abilities, having accessibility and universal design as part of the evaluation weighting, user testing before sign-off etc. For example, apart from accessible facilities, products and services, is there training on accessibility for evacuation and on-going maintenance in the hospitality sector?  In terms of digital communications, companies need to explore how to create accessible documents, websites, platforms, booking engines. Are our HR departments trained in inclusive recruitment? Simple little things like having your videos captioned, having a loop system inside your reception, having a vibrating pillow for a person that needs it for an evacuation ; these are all simple little things, but they are vital. So, it’s back again to giving that person-centered service. We have all different needs, we are all diverse in our abilities, yet we are trying to put a tourism experience into a box that’s a standard offering, and that has to change because there is no human born as standard just with different user needs and needs that will evolve through the human life cycle”.

Do you think accessibility training skills are necessary both for manager level and operational level?

“It is vital at both levels. It is vital in senior management level, because they have to become aware at the first place of the problem. Managers are leaders and create the inclusive culture, they are also the people that can apply any funding as required and instruct operational change, so if we don’t change or, more important, if managers can’t understand different user needs then you are losing the battle immediately. But equally it is vital at an operational level because, at the end of the day, they are the people that are meeting the users. The person that’s on the ground level, no matter what they are doing, they will see more, and hear more, and probably understand more of the challenges on a day to day basis than any person   at board room level. So that’s why it is vital that they receive training, so they understand accessible tourism and how to deliver inclusive service equally.  It is absolutely vital from a perspective of people with disability and impairment , getting that customer service equally and being able to participate independently”.

What are the strategies that could be created in destinations to achieve inclusion in tourism?

“I think at city level it is vital to develop training with policy makers, government tourism agencies at the highest level. This should be on accessible and inclusive strategy, brand engagement, industry engagement, accessible tool kits support, capacity building, awards, accreditation and more locally with developing product development, services, accessible booking services, accessible events, developing accessible destination guides and promoting  all in accessible formats in print and electronic. These are all underpinned by a universal design approach and process.  In respect of Kerry and Kerry County Council, we have trained all their staff on general accessible tourism awareness, we have done an audit of Killarney town, we have created an action plan and a roadmap for each department, looking through the universal design approach. Of course, this will be always evolving and ongoing, they have built into their tourism strategy right across each checkpoint. Some smart cities, as Malaga and Gothenburg, are very advanced. Being smart is about making sure every client, every customer, has the opportunity to visit and participate in the tourism experience equally and independently, and I always like to say that it’s not very smart if you leave out up to a quarter of the population and their families and friends. So that’s key. When we look at smart cities, we must look at everything, from a digital inclusion, because everything is getting moved so fast in technology, we must make sure that there are no barriers there, because of all different types of assistive technology and users operating preferences. Our transport systems are also vital to ensure all tourists can get around a city”.

What are the recommendations you could mention for developing sustainable initiatives for accessibility for tourism

“Accessibility and inclusion are going to become huge going forward because of the changing age demographics. Every one of us will get a disability as we get reduced function as we age, and that’s apart  from hopefully avoiding any acquired disability or long-term chronic illness. We must make sure that everyone with a disability has an equal opportunity to participate, that’s a vital human right.  I believe going forward changing the mindset, leadership and culture within any business or government services in the hospitality sector is vital. It is also vital because it sends out a message for all potential employees with disabilities that you are welcome and we want you if you have the talent and qualifications, if you are good enough we are happy to make sure that you will have every accommodation so you can perform to your best. Inclusiveness is a big part of an organization, there is no room for exclusion  any more. We are working towards the UN 2030 sustainable goals and disability cuts across all of those goals, so we can’t forget people’s different needs and people’s different abilities. I do believe government leaders, industry leaders and us as a society have the power and ability to make and  embed these changes now that we are beginning to understand different user needs. The important thing and the good thing are that everyone can make that decision to make a small change in their own business, starting with a leadership and cultural change at board or management level, in accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities and ageing. And if they begin to understand this, they begin to do the small things right, we start to see the changes. Sustainability is a key part of universal design, accessibility and age inclusion:  leaving nobody out, leaving nobody behind, and that’s the key going forward. Everyone should have the right to have that human right, tourism services and to participate in the experience and society as equal as possible”.

This blog has highlighted best practice in accessible tourism, the importance of accessibility and inclusion skills training, strategies adopted in destinations and the key tourism employee skills required at both the managerial and operational level.  TU Dublin and the NTG Alliance thank Paudie Healy for his insights and examples of developing accessibility and inclusion for tourism destinations.

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Purdue’s online master’s in hospitality and tourism management updates curriculum to prepare service professionals for success in a wide range of industries 

According to The Atlantic, the United States is in the midst of a paradigm shift – our economy, which was once driven by manufacturing, is now dominated by the services sector . This sector, which encompasses a wide range of businesses and industries that provide services to consumers, now accounts for over 70% of the United States’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Industries included in the services sector include financial service providers, the technology industry, media and entertainment, as well as food, hospitality and tourism. Increasingly, most jobs have a service component, and possessing strong service skills can help professionals succeed in a variety of different roles. 

Purdue University is a global leader in training engineers, and the school’s White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) is no different – expanding Purdue’s engineering legacy to “experience engineering.” Through the school’s top-ranked online Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management , professionals from many different service sectors can get hands-on training focused on the latest trends and techniques in service management and prepare themselves for leadership roles in a variety of industries.  

As a leader in training experience engineers, Purdue’s online HTM program focuses on helping service professionals craft and deliver an exceptional experience for the customer. Offering service excellence through experience engineering – whether in hospitality, restaurants, tourism or any other service-focused industry – requires a great deal of strategic planning, analytical thinking and industry expertise. 

To reflect the complexities of experience engineering, the online master’s in hospitality and tourism management program has updated its curriculum to center on the state-of-the-art training and techniques that are defining the service industry today. These curriculum updates are designed to help prepare service professionals for the future of experience engineering and give them the advanced strategic and analytical skills they need to become service leaders and managers. Designed for professionals seeking career advancement, the program’s new curriculum offers foundational training that’s applicable to many different service fields, as well as courses in specialized topics and influential trends like influencer marketing, digital analytics, revenue management and more. 

“The updated curriculum enriches the program offerings by including currently trendy and directly relevant topics that our students can directly apply to their jobs,” said Alei Fan, associate professor and director of master’s programs in the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University. 

“For example, influencer marketing has become one of the most important marketing tools used by many organizations,” Fan continued. “The new Integrated Marketing Communication course integrates such a topic into the course contents by leveraging the research-proved best practices and hands-on experience to provide value-added learning experience to our online master’s students.” 

Through taking updated courses focused on developing a service excellence mindset, experience design, revenue management, asset management, consumer behavior and more, students in the program reap the benefits of a traditional business degree with an added specific focus on service excellence. Several of the program’s courses focus on helping students build strong analytical thinking and strategic management skills, which are acquired through completing hands-on projects. These skills can help students prepare themselves for leadership and management roles within the service industry. Additionally, the program’s courses are taught by industry-experienced instructors from a variety of professional backgrounds who bring real-world knowledge to the virtual classroom. 

“The hospitality and tourism industries have long been at the forefront of pioneering service excellence, but of late, other industries are realizing the benefits of their leaders adopting such a service mindset,” said Ceridwyn King, professor and school head of the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University. “In response to this, this curriculum redesign seeks to continue such pioneering efforts but does so in a way that is more accessible for those that not only work in hospitality and tourism but also for those that work in related fields or positions.” 

The program’s curriculum updates also include an accelerated completion timeline, which makes earning Purdue’s master’s in hospitality and tourism management quicker and more accessible. In completing their master’s online, students get added flexibility and the ability to work toward the degree at their own pace. Those features were designed to help working professionals balance going back to school with their careers. 

“The new curriculum consists of key competencies for the general service industry while covering a wide range of applications to various types of service organizations,” Fan said. “Students can adapt what they learn from this master’s program to various disciplines and different career paths in the general service industry or any service-related fields, including but not limited to hospitality, tourism, transportation, healthcare, senior living, retailing, financial planning, consulting and more.”  

To learn more about Purdue’s online Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management, please visit the program’s webpage . 

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Culture & Employee Engagement Spring 2025 Intern - Remote

Company: Southwest Airlines Location: Remote Position: Internship Department: Hospitality, Event and Tourism Management

Apply online at https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=intern&l=Dallas-Fort+Worth%2C+TX&fromage=14&vjk=6d1e8fc900a71ef8

We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer. Job Description: Culture Spring 2025 Internship – Remote Please print/save the job description because it won’t be available after you apply To be considered, please ensure that you attach a resume to your application. Southwest Airlines promises to provide Employees with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. We entrust our Interns to make an impact on their Team in real-time projects, work toward Company initiatives, and achieve our Purpose of connecting People to what’s important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel, all while having fun and developing yourself as a future professional . A dditional details : Join Southwest as a Spring 2025 Intern, with a 12-week internship lasting from January 28th through April 17 th , 2025. Work fully remotely, with opportunities to connect with your Team and other workgroups virtually and potential to travel to visit our Corporate Campus in Dallas, Texas. There is limited group of states or localities ineligible for Employees to regularly perform their work off-site. Those ineligible locations are Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. If you currently reside in an ineligible state, you may relocate to an eligible state and be considered for an internship Dedicate a minimum of 24 hours each week to your internship responsibilities and tasks, up to 40 hours a week. We recommend checking your spring schedule now to ensure availability. Receive an hourly pay listed below in “Time Commitment and Pay” and receive a one-time, $1,000 stipend (Paid $500 on first paycheck and $500 at midpoint of internship) Receive free, unlimited travel privileges for yourself (taxes and fees may apply on international travel). Interns will receive any required equipment, such as a laptop, for the internship. Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to look for opportunities to reflect the communities we serve, and welcome applicants with diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences . The Culture & Communications Department creates an environment where Employees feel heard, recognized, celebrated, and supported through every step of their experience. As an Intern in this department, you would support one of these Teams most of your time. The Culture Intern promotes, participates in and helps lead Companywide appreciations and celebrations. Duties & Responsibilities: Some examples of these projects and tasks may include but are not limited to: Assist with Culture projects. Duties include:  Responding to Culture-related Employee inquiries via e-mail, phone, and social media; helping prepare presentations and information on all Culture efforts; assist with the planning and execution of appreciation events for our Employees in various cities; and help measure various statistics for the Culture Department. Assist with Culture events. Duties include:  Assist with the planning and executing of large Employee events (meetings, rallies, parties, etc.); help with ordering, assembling, and shipping supplies; write blog posts and design visuals for internal use; work with outside vendors to order promotional items; work with hotels and venues to secure rooms, meeting spaces, and food. Assist with Culture Communications. Manage content on Culture social media channels including monitoring membership requests, responding to inquiries and posts in a timely manner, and addressing escalated content. Collaborate across the Department to discover and promote relevant stories of Southwest achievement within the context of the mission and vision of the Company. Assist with internal communications by drafting and curating content for Southwest communications channels including blogs, intranet, internal publications, and social channels. Assist with other special projects relating to Culture as needed. Basic Qualifications: High School Diploma, GED or equivalent education required Must be at least 18 years of age Must have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986 You must have a valid U.S. Social Security Number to complete the full hiring process Education: Progress towards degree, major, or minor in B usiness, Marketing, Communications, Event Planning, Hospitality, Journalism, OR similar degree Progress towards a 4-year undergraduate degree preferred To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled as a full-time student (as defined by your university) at the time of application and during the internship At least one semester remaining at the time the internship ends is preferred Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple tasks and complete assignments with tight deadlines. Ability to work independently as well as a part of a Team. Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Canva experience is preferred. The possibility of travel for projects and events. Ability to handle a high level of responsibility and maintain confidential information. Strong oral and written communication skills required. The ability to proofread and correct errors with minimal supervision is preferred. Excellent Customer Service skills preferred. Previous writing experience (ex:  school newsletter, business, creative) preferred. Previous event planning experience preferred. Previous event follow-up experience (ex: post-event surveys) is preferred. Experience using Employee-related data to glean insights and develop materials to bring the insights to life. Experience with driving Employee-centric decision making or action preferred. Time Commitment and Pay: Required:  Part-Time 24-40hrs a week Must maintain a consistent weekly schedule during normal business hours at a max of 8 hours per day and no fewer than 24hrs per week Program Dates:  January 28th - April 17th, 2025 $23 per hour + $1,000 stipend paid in two installments of $500 Please print/save the job description because it won’t be available after you apply. To apply, you must submit your application and a resume for each role online at www.southwest.com/careers .