The IATA’s 2023 Global Passenger Survey (GPS) related to accessibility of air transport to passengers with disabilities, showed significant satisfaction levels among passengers who used special assistance services, with 80 per cent of travellers using special assistance services saying their expectations were met.
The survey also aligned with airline experience that more travellers than ever are requesting assistance. With aging populations in many key air transport markets, this trend is likely to continue, and aviation, like many other industries, will struggle to find the resources needed to cater to this important demographic.
IATA’s assistant director for external affairs Linda Ristagno said: “As demand for special assistance grows, we will need to find more tailored ways to meet the needs of travellers with special needs. At present, a special assistance request is almost always met with wheelchair services – but the actual requirement of the traveller may be very different. The traveller may simply need help with wayfinding through crowded airports, or only have difficulty negotiating stairs, or may be totally mobile but visually impaired.
“We are working on ways to ensure that wheelchairs are available when needed as well as the right options for the diversity of traveller needs.”
The survey also highlighted the need for clear information, with 20 per cent of travellers highlighting that improved website accessibility for booking and reservations should be a priority.
In response, IATA recently issued guidance material on ensuring airline websites provide easy access to all necessary information for travellers with disabilities. These includes developing a user-friendly gateway to the dedicated accessibility area of airlines’ websites, clarifying the criteria for assistance entitlement, and emphasising the importance of passengers requesting assistance early, preferably during the booking process.
The guidance will also enable travellers with disabilities to access crucial information with just one click from the homepage, providing clear and intuitive information pathways on airline websites for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, ensuring they have direct access to essential details about air travel arrangements and passenger rights.
“Clear information is crucial for anybody who wishes to travel. This is particularly relevant for persons with disabilities who require assistance and must carefully prepare their travel arrangements. While airlines have made strides in providing extensive guidance on their websites, there remains room for improvement, particularly in easing the search for specific information,” noted Ristagno.
The 2024 edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) will return to Dubai from May 6 to 9 with the theme, Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship.
Attendees will consider how the segments of leisure, business, luxury and MICE are driving economic growth and sustainable development across destinations, hospitality and aviation, creating fresh opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors from across the Middle East and beyond.
Danielle Curtis, ATM’s exhibition director, said: “Holidaymakers represent a crucial focus for the Middle East’s travel community, but leisure is only one component of a much bigger picture. Business, luxury and MICE travel are also making significant contributions to economic growth and sustainable development, with Statista predicting a global market volume of more than US$1 trillion by 2027.
“It is therefore no surprise that the travel and tourism sector is creating unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors, thousands of whom will showcase their innovations, exchange ideas and forge new partnerships at ATM 2024,” she added.
The travel and tourism sector is on course to contribute US$49.18 billion to the UAE economy alone in 2023, according to figures released by the WTTC. This figure is predicted to reach US$64.12 billion by 2033, accounting for an impressive 10.2 per cent of the nation’s GDP.
As the Middle East’s travel and tourism industry continues to mature, it is expected to create new jobs and income for millions of people from across the globe. The UAE Government, for instance, estimates that the country’s travel and tourism market will support 770,000 jobs by 2027. At the same time, the sector is expected to generate ever-increasing revenues for regional economies – Gulf travellers spending approximately 6.5 times more than tourists from other parts of the world, according to the UN Tourism.
Sustainable development will represent another key focus at ATM 2024. Dubai’s Department for Economy and Tourism (DET), ATM’s Destination Partner, will showcase its ongoing efforts to protect the environment and secure a greener and more sustainable future for the emirate.