Embrace the Inclusive Spirit Belfast 2025

Are you a tourism business that is missing out on disabled visitors?

One in four people in Northern Ireland are disabled. Across the UK, this market is valued at £249 billion. But three out of four disabled people have walked away from businesses because they are not accessible.

The seminar will help you realise the potential of growing the disabled tourism market for your business. Over the course of the morning, you will

• discover the importance and value of the disabled tourism market

• learn how you can market inclusively and imaginatively to disabled visitors

• understand how to communicate effectively with disabled visitors at all stages in their customer journey, including practical hints, tips and guidance for welcoming d/Deaf, blind and visually impaired visitors

• hear how our city stakeholders, including Belfast City Council, Visit Belfast and Tourism NI, are working together to make the city more inclusive and welcoming

The seminar is being hosted by disability rights activist Seán Fitzsimmons. Speakers include accessible travel blogger Carrie-Ann Lightley, recognised as one of the top 100 most influential disabled people in the UK, and Anthony Sinclair, founder of Sign Source, who has been profoundly deaf since birth.

The seminar will culminate with the presentation of the inaugural Embrace the Inclusive Spirit Tourism Awards. These are open to Belfast-based businesses that provide the most useful visitor information, warmest welcome, best stay, most inclusive experience or go the extra mile. Nominations can be made through a short survey between 4 November 2024 and 19 January 2025.

This seminar is provided by Belfast City Council in partnership with Visit Belfast, Tourism NI, Titanic Belfast and Open Arts

There is BSL, ISL, Audio Description and live captioning throughout the day. The room has level access throughout. Please let us know which of these you will use and if you have any other access or dietary requirements when booking. You can find out further information on Titanic Belfast’s website and AccessAble

Host or Publisher Belfast City Council Inclusive Tourism Group