In following on from the blog
discussion on Research
is only good if it brings about improved access and accessible experiences -
Lessons from Dunedin, New Zealand - we are presenting an article on
accessible tourism in Cairns, Queensland Australia. The article is the outcome
of a regional accessible destination workshop undertaken for the Queensland
Government and Cairns Regional Council in 2011. It is an excellent example of
partnership between Cairns Regional
Council, a cutting edge local government access officer Ian Chill (featured in previous blog post wheelchair bungy jumping), local
tourism operators and other stakeholders. It is one of many tourism initiatives
that Far North Queensland Tourism are hoping to reinvigorate regional tourism
in the area.
Cameron, B. (2012). Accessible Cairns - destination
experience development. Australasian Leisure Management, 56(January/February),
58-59. Retrieved from http://www.ausleisure.com.au/
Accessible Cairns
Bruce M Cameron assesses Cairns’ credentials
as an accessible destination
In an attempt to provide tourism operators in
Cairns with an insight into Accessible Tourism and its revenue generating
possibilities, the Cairns Regional Council and Queensland Department of
Communities sponsored an Accessible Tourism Fourm last year. The Forum
attracted a broad spectrum of tourism operators including accommodation
providers, attraction and experience owner/managers and transport providers.
In opening the forum, Queensland Disabilities
Minister Curtis Pitt explained “Cairns has a good base on which to mprove its
share of the accessible tourism market. The recently refurbished Cairns
Domestic Airport goes beyond the required accessibility standards and we have a
world class tennis centre and athletics
venues that can host all ability sporting
events. We already have good infrastructure in place … there are over 90 wheelchair accessible rooms
available for guests with varying levels
of disability, we have 22 maxi taxis and 55
accessible buses.”
Cairns has confidence in the number of
accessible tourism products offering
visitors with a variety of access needs a broad
range of tourism experiences, an attitude best summed up by Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ)
Director Sales and Marketing Brian
Hennessy who explains “we have been
welcoming visitors from all over the world for many years. In that time the industry has adjusted to a changing
range of social, cultural and economic
drivers. I think that as a community and
as an industry we are very conscious of making Cairns accessible for tourists, visitors and locals
and will continue to do so.”
Information
presented at the Forum by Simon Darcy,
Associate Professor at the University of
Technology Sydney Business School, defined Accessible Tourism (AT) – namely,
“AT 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 adopts a whole of life
approach where people through their lifespan benefit from accessible tourism
provision and includes people with permanent and temporary disabilities,
seniors, obese, families with young children and those working in safer and
more socially sustainably designed environments” [adapted from 1, 2].
Associate Professor Darcy presented recent
economic data revealing that in Australia, the domestic AT market accounts for
11% of the market and is valued at $4.8 billion. Further, people with
disabilities in Australia travel on domestic trips lasting between three and
five days and travel in an average group size of three to four people [3]. However, destinations seeking to
service the AT market are required to take a considered approach embracing
credible information conveyed by empowering language which underpins a solid
understanding of the accessibility of the operator’s premise.
It first requires a simple process of
information provision comprising transport, accommodation,
attractions/experiences and services which, if provided well, will result in an
accessible travel chain allowing the traveller to make an informed decision to
travel to the destination. This information provision doesn’t need to be
costly, as people comprising the AT market tend to use their own social media
and advocacy networks to share information such as disability and seniors
organisations. One participant summarised the forum as “being really helpful to
understanding of what my business needs to communicate to people with
disabilities.”
So, does Cairns have the requisite accessible
tourism destination infrastructure and accessible experiences on which to place
the region with a competitive advantage in the market?
Unfortunately, access information available
on the official tourism sites is no different to the norm and is of limited
use. However, Cairns Regional Council’s web site does offer an extensive array
of detailed access information that was strategically collected by Ian Chill,
the Council’s Access Officer. Chill’s work has provided a sound knowledge base
of the accessible infrastructure and experiences in the region. Yet, this
information is embedded in the Council’s website and is not picked up by online
search algorithms.
After the Forum, Associate Professor Darcy
and I (we are both power wheelchair users) went on a familiarisation trip
testing Far North Queensland attractions and locations for their ability to
meet the access needs of travellers. The City of Cairns is set out on a
rectangular grid of five blocks by five blocks facing the Trinity Inlet. Access
around the city has been made easy with excellent crossovers above sometime
deep gutters, tactile warning and direction tiles and audio traffic signals at
most intersections. Many shops have a step up with the Council identifying this
as an area for attention in a streetscape overhaul. Visitors and locals
congregate at Cairns Esplanade.
 |
| Photo 1: Accessible water playground on Cairns Promenade (with permission Fiona Darcy © 2005) |
Where mudflats were once revealed at low
tide, there now exists a wonderful accessible and family friendly parkland with
barbeques, a shaded beach and a swimming lagoon, with beach wheelchair access.
The Esplanade leads to the upmarket wharf area with excellent restaurants,
hotels, Casino and marina. While floating pontoons are a feature, the
availability to access cruise vessels or even a fishing charter by roll-on/off
access is limited.
Our next visit was to the award-winning
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure, located 40 kilometres north of Cairns. Our travelling party of three was able to
engage Black & White Cabs to undertake the trip which involved about 45
minutes each way along the spectacular coastline. Upon arrival we noticed two
well signed, dedicated wheelchair access parking spaces adjacent to a gently
graded crossover to a level entry. The entry counter was not a high unwelcoming
barrier but a reasonable counter of about 1150mm high where the Companion Card logo
was clearly displayed.
 |
| Photo 2: Croc Attack (with permission Hartleys © 2009) |
At the entry the receptionist called the boat drivers to advise of our presence and advise two boats were necessary – one power wheelchair per boat. The entry and exit comprised a well designed and thought out cafeteria, toilets including unisex accessible facility, and gift shop offering plenty of circulation space. Visitors are presented with a fold out colour map which identifies all the activities, the highlight of which is a guided tour on Hartley’s Lagoon where visitors learn about the Estuarine Crocodile (but are kept well away from danger by a clear perspex barrier). Access onto the tour boats was via a fold out ramp, which can get steep when water levels are low.
 |
| Photo 3: author Bruce Cameron boarding the accessible pontoon boat that provides an up close experience with the crocodiles through 50 ha of Billabong (with permission Fiona Darcy © 2011) |
Following the cruise, a visit to the
crocodile farm to see and handle, under strict supervision, crocodiles up to 1½
metres long is scary but does offer a tactile experience for visitors. Other
hands on opportunities are available at the Snake Show and as photograph
opportunities with crocs and snakes. Access around the site is via a paved
pathway which meanders around and between billabongs and enclosures containing
crocs, Cassowary’s, Koala’s and Wallabies.
The Great Barrier Reef is the main draw card
for Cairns tourism. However, its disability access is limited. Those using
power wheelchairs are best served by cruise operator Quicksilver, which sails
from Port Douglas. Otherwise it’s best to discuss your access requirements
directly with the operator and to check out the vessel at the wharf before
booking.
Other Far North Queensland attractions that
offer an accessible experience include Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural experience,
Kuranda Scenic Railway and Sky Rail (where users need to check their needs with
management). TTNQ’s Hennessey is pretty bullish about Cairns’
qualities, stating “for the most part, a wide range of experiences that make
Tropical North Queensland unique are available for the disabled traveller. The
challenge is to better promote these so that once a disabled traveller decides
on our region as the destination for their holiday, that information is
available for him or her to make an informed decision.”
Overall, Cairns’s tourism access rates highly
although there are opportunities for improvement. Reliable credible tourist
information from tourism sources is a relatively simple improvement while
expansion on transport options would see more visitors enjoying the waterways
around Cairns and venturing further afield such as Port Douglas and The
Daintree Rainforest.
Perhaps Minister Pitt best sums up the
ability of Cairns as a destination, “What Cairns can do better is advertise the
fact that we have all this in place to host visitors with a disability“.
Bruce M Cameron is Principal and Publisher
of Easy Access Australia. He can be
reached on 02 9634 1347, www.easyaccessaustralia.com.au
Reprinted with permission Australasian
Leisure Management, January/February 2012 http://ausleisure.com.au/default.asp?PageID=1&n=Home
Concluding
Thoughts...
The value of regional workshops for
accessible tourism can be measured in terms of both the stakeholders attendance at the workshop (60), engage and the media coverage on both the newspaper and radio[4-8]. The workshop was
done in conjunction with a major government disability conference that also
provided a visible presence for disability in the streets of Cairns. Of course,
the real success will come with future visitation by the people with
disability, their family, their friends and associated events that will use the
infrastructure.
References
6. Dalton, N., Tourist with disability is a growth market - accessibility is the way
forward, in Cairns Post2011:
Cairns. p. 8.
