A Gloucester travel agency has won national recognition for its work within cruising on behalf of those with disabilities. Accessible Travel has been awarded the ACE Excellence in Innovation award. The prestigious award is given by the Association of Cruise Experts (ACE), an organisation representing more than 3,000 travel agencies the length and breadth of Britain.
Ali Parker received the award on behalf of Accessible Travel at the ACE UK Cruise Convention in Dover where more than 650 delegates gathered to discuss everything cruise. The award reflects the work undertaken by Accessible Travel in continuously striving to be innovative and generating awareness by focussing on new opportunities. Accessible Travel, which specialises in arranging disabled holidays, took top place after ACE members were invited to nominate their chosen company or individual.
The number of people cruising continues to grow – last year a record 1.5 million Brits took a cruise holiday. There are 10 cruise ship launches this year with another 29 planned within the next three years. There’s a cruise for everyone with ships varying from resort-style vessels through to small ultra-luxury yachts, and destinations include the ever popular Mediterranean, Caribbean and Baltic to off the beaten track ports in South America, Australia and the Far East.
ACE director Andy Harmer commented: “The cruise industry is particularly exciting and innovative and this year sees the launch of the largest cruise ship ever built. As cruising is so diverse it’s essential the customer is matched with the right cruise for their requirement and this is where travel agents play such a significant role and I am delighted to say that Accessible Travel have shown themselves worthy winners.”
