Thanks to funding provided by the federal and provincial governments, Quality Tourism Services Inc. (QTS) launched accessadvisor.ca today, a program to promote, educate, and advance the tourism industry, business and communities on accessibility services and provisions.
“Our Government is pleased to support initiatives such as accessadvisor.ca,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie. “This project will ensure that business and community facilities on our Island provide comfortable, convenient and safe accommodations regardless of anyone’s physical limitations.”
The pilot phase of the program is already complete and has allowed accessadvisor.ca the opportunity to gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the current level of accessibility and how it is marketed to the public. QTS is now prepared to offer operators the resources to categorize and promote their business or location using four accessibility designations - limited accessibility, fully mobile accessibility, sight accessibility and hearing accessibility. The accessadvisor.ca program will help improve the quality of the consumer experience and better empower businesses to compete for this maturing market and for institutions to better serve the general public.
“Our government is committed to working with our operators and partners to build a stronger tourism industry and Island economy,” said Prince Edward Island Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Vessey. “accessadvisor.ca is an important tool to provide our visitors with clear information on the type of accessibility supports available at participating tourism operations. The program will also help inform our operators on how to meet the needs of persons travelling with accessibility challenges. Prince Edward Island strives to be a welcoming destination to all visitors.”
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Tourism Atlantic division, has invested $87,000 in the project. The Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Department of Tourism and Culture, has invested $22,500 and Quality Tourism Services Inc. has also invested more than $66,000.
“The accessibility market in terms of mobility, sight and hearing represents a significant segment of the population,” said Murray MacPherson, Industry Chair of Quality Tourism Services.” The first Baby Boomers turned 65 on January 1, 2011. They are accustomed to travelling and when they retire they will continue to do so, as they have leisure time and disposable income. accessadvisor.ca will ensure Islanders and PEI businesses are prepared for this important and massive market.”
Quality Tourism Services Inc. is the non-profit, professional quality assurance company that inspects and assesses all accommodation and camping facilities across PEI. QTS delivers numerous quality assurance programs to tourism and related businesses, including Canada / Camping Select, PEI’s Tourism Water Quality Program, Cyclist Welcome, as well as the new accessadvisor.ca. program.