Tourism for All members awarded for inclusivity

Three of our member organisations have been recognised for their commitment to accessibility and inclusivity at the recent Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards.

The annual awards, which took place at the end of December, was hosted by presenter Laura Rawlings and sports star, Peter Trego, who lives in Weston-super-Mare, and saw more than fifty businesses were shortlisted.

Tourism for All members, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre and the Roman Baths and Pump Room were all recognised in the accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award category, which is awarded to businesses who go above and beyond to ensure that they are welcoming to all guests, no matter what their ability.

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, near Wraxall, Bristol, received Gold in both the Accessible category and the Age Friendly category. Speaking about the award, Larry Bush, Marketing Director, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have received these awards which highlight the dedication of our talented and hard working team. It’s a huge honour to be recognised for our progress as an inclusive and accessible zoo and as a popular large visitor attraction in North Somerset.”

It is not the first time Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has been recognised for its accessibility, having won the award in previous years. They have an extensive accessibility programme and have recently installed Changing Places toilets and made sure their staff have undertaken training in autism, BSL and mental health awareness. It was their first time winning Gold for Age Friendly. In recent years, the zoo has worked to support visitors and members of the community by offering free entry to over 70s, opening the café as a warm space and working with local care homes.

WWT Slimbridge received Silver in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award. Gary Haseley-Nejrup, General Manager at the centre, told reporters: “Winning […] silver for the Accessible and Inclusive category is a massive achievement for all our time at WWT Slimbridge. We wouldn’t have been able to achieve these awards without the amazing support of our staff, volunteers and all our members and visitors. We are thrilled to receive these awards which recognises that Slimbridge provides a truly memorable visitor experience for everyone, including those with accessibility requirements.”

Visitors to Slimbridge can find a Changing Places facility, as well as accessible hides and viewing platforms to enjoy the resident wildlife, as well as wheelchair friendly Wild Safaris.

The bronze award went to the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms in Bath. They won three awards in total, including the Accessible and Inclusive award. Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, who run the Baths, said: “We are thrilled to have won these presitigious awards, which recognise the hard work put in by our staff year round to provide an award winning experience for all our visitors.”

Despite being a historic building, 90% of the Roman Baths is accessible to wheelchair users and guides are provided in BSL and descriptive audio for visitors with hearing or visual impairments. Facilities are also in place for autistic visitors and quiet evenings, where guests can experience the Baths without crowds or noise.

The Bristol, Bath and Somerset Awards director, Nell Barrington, said of the award ceremony: “What a fantastic celebration of the best of Bristol, Bath and Somerset tourism and hospitality. After months of judging, it was awesome to see these businesses get rewarded for their hard work, enthusiasm and excellence. A massive well done to them all. I want to thank everyone for their generosity by taking part in our charity raffle and donating prizes, raising a remarkable £1305 for our charity sponsor, Age UK Somerset.”