
A study by Open Doors Organisation showed that travel spend by Americans with a disability is set to break through $60 billion. Destinations and travel companies around the world are starting to realise that this underserved segment is a revenue growth and brand positioning opportunity and are adapting their plans accordingly.
More than a source of business though, inclusivity in the travel sector is also a matter of effective service delivery. Lemon Tree Hotels (LTH) is one of the largest hotel groups in India. Since 2007 it has had an active policy of recruiting talent from the disability community, now forming a significant proportion of its workforce.
To paraphrase Aradhana Lal, Senior Vice President of Sustainability & ESD at LTH, this isn’t a charity or CSR initiative, it is a business model. Productivity levels of employees with a disability are sometimes higher than other people in the same role. It affords access to a larger talent pool, enhanced creativity and problem solving, increased employee engagement, and reduced attrition. These add up to the delivery of a stronger and more enhanced service that LTH’s guests demand and return for.
Diversity is a fact. Inclusivity is an action. At Untapped Opinions we're the inclusive insights people who close the gap between organisations and people with a disability; we help organisations take inclusive actions through having a better understanding of needs and experience.
If you are in the travel sector, we can help you prepare to take advantage of both the external and internal opportunities created through enhanced inclusivity.Â
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