accessible ocean tourism

Returning to the Sea: Reclaiming Confidence Through Accessible Travel

In: accessible travel, Asia, beach, fun stuff, inclusive tourism, Life in the accessible lane, North America, ocean tourism

Tagged: accessible ocean tourism, accessible travel news, Hawaii, India, ocean sports, Sri Lanka

628 views around the worldReturning to the Sea: Reclaiming Confidence Through Accessible Travel For millions of people around the world, travel represents freedom, discovery and connection. Yet for many travellers with disabilities, reaching those experiences often involves navigating obstacles that extend far beyond the journey itself. Returning to the Sea:Continue Reading

Opening the Ocean to Everyone

By: Elsie Gabriel, India

In: accessible travel news, Asia, deaf and hard of hearing, fun stuff, international law and regulations, ocean tourism, the outdoors

Tagged: accessibility, accessible ocean tourism, accessible travel products, adaptive diving, adaptive sports, equipment, India

1,001 views around the worldOpening the Ocean to Everyone How Accessible Marine Education Can Transform Lives for disabled students travelling on remote Islands On the remote coral island of Kadmat in Lakshadweep, the ocean surrounds every aspect of life. Children grow up watching fishing boats return to shore, hearing stories ofContinue Reading

Cádiz Beaches: Should I stay or should I go?

By: Bianca Moody, SPAIN

In: accessible travel news, beach, blind and visually impaired, Destinations, Europe

Tagged: accessible ocean tourism, accessible travel europe, beach access, solo travel, Spain, visually impaired

932 views around the worldCádiz Beaches: Should I stay or should I go? I am 32, stubborn as hell, in love with sunsets, legally blind, and deeply suspicious of anyone who says a beach is “accessible” before I’ve face-planted into three inches of decorative gravel trying to reach it. SoContinue Reading

Accessible Ocean Tourism

By: Elsie Gabriel, India

In: accessible travel news, Guest Blog, ocean tourism

Tagged: accessible beach, accessible ocean tourism, accessible scuba diving, ocean sports

947 views around the worldAccessible Ocean Tourism A guest blog by Elsie Gabriel Redefining Ocean Literacy Through Inclusion and Coastal Citizen Scientists Community Engagement “Leave No One Behind” is more than a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal principle, it is an urgent call for governments, tourism stakeholders, educators, and coastalContinue Reading

Authors

Elsie Gabriel, India
Jennifer Tonin, ITALY

For 28 years, Jenny has built a global career in the corporate sector, holding senior international roles across Automotive, Connected Products and Services, and global project management.

Her career includes serving as Global Commercial Director at Pirelli Connected Tyre Division and as a Principal Consultant, where she oversaw board meetings for leading organisations including Ferrari, Maserati and Illy. She has worked with some of the world’s most recognised brands, including Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover, specialising in global project delivery and go-to-market strategies, with a strong ability to connect different cultures, markets, businesses and people.

Her experience of recovering from a stroke, including navigating communication, mobility and travel, has given her a first-hand understanding of the barriers people can face and the importance of designing travel around people, rather than expecting people to adapt to the system.

As a Board Member of Accessible Travel, Jenny will lead the development of the outdoor adventure section, bringing together her corporate experience, international perspective and lived experience to help make adventure and travel more accessible to everyone.
Bianca Moody, SPAIN

My name is Bianca, and I’m a solo female traveller, kidney transplant patient, and visually impaired advocate currently based in Spain. Because of my lived experience, accessibility is not an abstract concept for me; it directly shapes how safely, freely, and confidently I’m able to move through the world.

While travel can present added challenges, I also actively choose to explore destinations where accessibility information may be limited or unclear, with the goal of understanding and communicating what travellers truly need to know.

I’m bilingual in English and Spanish, and through living in Spain I’ve developed strong familiarity with accessible travel considerations across different regions and cultures. I’ve also recently created an Instagram account, where I plan to share honest travel experiences, accessibility insights, and personal reflections around travelling with a disability and chronic health history. My focus is on showing that inclusive travel is not a luxury but more an option.
Nasim Khorsandi, IRAN
Vivienne Gunning, SOUTH AFRICA

Vivienne Gunning is a senior expedition leader, Africa specialist, travel photographer, artist, and storyteller based in Cape Town, South Africa. With over 30 years of hands-on experience across 35 African countries, she brings unmatched depth in remote expedition leadership, aviation logistics, lodge development, and high-end guest care for clients including Bushtracks Expeditions, National Geographic Expeditions, and WWF.

Her expertise shines in accessible and assisted travel—designing and personally accompanying realistic, empathetic journeys for solo travelers, seniors, those recovering from challenges, or anyone with mobility, stamina, or situational needs (e.g., aging-related fatigue, medication effects, or first-time exposure to Africa’s intensity). She focuses on human judgment over checklists: gentle pacing, reading subtle cues, proactive reassurance, and leveraging local relationships to make ambitious adventures feel safe, dignified, and deeply rewarding—without diluting the wild.

Vivienne complements pre-arrival tools (like WelcoMe’s notifications) with on-the-ground companionship that adapts in the moment amid heat, long transfers, remote terrains, and cultural rhythms. Her approach turns vulnerabilities into strengths, ensuring guests feel seen and supported every step.

Beyond leadership, she captures the continent’s soul through travel and wildlife photography (pausing the world to reveal its quiet dignity) and painting emotional interpretations of wild places available as originals, prints, or commissions. She shares field stories via her blog, motivational talks (emphasizing resilience, women’s strength, and trading comfort for curiosity), and workshops for groups, forums, or corporate events.

Find her work at viviennegunning.com, follow on Instagram @VivieGunning (or @VNGwild), or connect via WhatsApp +27 (0)82 895 0411 or gunningvivienne@gmail.com.

Passionate about Africa’s wild corners, Vivienne is dedicated to making them reachable for everyone—through presence, possibility, and heartfelt storytelling. Let’s uncover your next chapter together.
Sea 4 All, ITALY
Gavin Neate, SCOTLAND

I get out of bed thinking about my "Why" (thanks, Simon), and I go to bed thinking about it, too.

My "Why" is driven by a single conviction: that when we view everyone through an equitable lens and assume everyone has something to add, society gains infinitely more than it loses. I don’t just advocate for inclusion; I build the tools to make it a reality.

The Journey So Far:
In 2011, while working for Guide Dogs for the Blind, I realised technology was the frontier for accessibility. Since then, I’ve been focused on turning that realisation into real-world impact:

2012: Invented the world's first smartphone-operated pedestrian crossing (Button).

2017: Launched WelcoMe, a platform redefining disability awareness and customer service.

What WelcoMe Does:
WelcoMe bridges the gap between disabled visitors and service teams before they meet. By allowing users to communicate their needs in advance, we eliminate the anxiety of stepping out the door and equip staff with "sticky," actionable training. It’s not just a tool; it’s a framework for dignity.

With 1.3 billion disabled people worldwide, my goal is to fundamentally change how society interacts and ensure everyone achieves their true value. It’s a massive challenge, which is why I look forward to taking another step toward it every time the sun rises.

Let’s Connect:
If you are a positive, engaging person who believes in equity of opportunity and that positive action can change the world... I want to connect with you.

Please reach out, engage, and let’s be a part of the solution together.
Il Viaggio Travel, COSTA RICA
Handicap X, GERMANY
Village 4 All, ITALY
Stella Waterhouse, UK
Rita Duarte, Portugal
Matilda Wilson, AUSTRALIA
Open Door Organization , United States
Tur 4all Travel, SPAIN
Insolito Posto, ITALY
Acc-Red (Accessibility Redefined), INDIA
Ruote Libere, ITALY
Accessible Switzerland, SWITZERLAND