A new report published by Suffolk Growth Partnership has revealed the significant value and benefits of a more accessible and inclusive visitor economy.

The spending power of people with disabilities or health impairments, known as the Purple Pound, is estimated at over £300 million annually year to Suffolk’s visitor economy.

While there is already a great deal of good practice across the visitor economy supporting accessible services, the report identifies key actions to grow the value of the Purple Pound and improve accessibility with a call to action for all parts of the sector to work together.

To enable Suffolk to become a leading accessible tourism destination the report highlights the potential to develop better information and guidance, to provide more training opportunities, to adapt more facilities, public space and transport to become accessible, creating a great experience for visitors.

Suffolk Growth Partnership Manager, Karen Chapman added:

“This report is a timely boost for Suffolk’s visitor economy. Improving accessibility and inclusivity for all across Suffolk visitor destinations is a big win for tourism but will also grow our local economy and improve resident and community well-being through inclusion.”

“We know this is a really challenging time for many visitor economy businesses, and while we recognise improving accessibility requires investment, the report notes that improving accessible tourism doesn’t have to be expensive, and Suffolk Growth is working with partners to develop the range of guidance to support improvements.”

This guidance highlights the importance of developing accessibility guides to support promotion.

Suffolk Growth will be working with partners and businesses to support access guide development across Suffolk’s visitor destinations and the ambition to become one of England’s leading ‘Accessible tourism’ destinations in 2023.

Download a copy of the full report and summary highlights

Front cover image credits: VisitBritain/Daniel Wildey | VisitBritain/Calvertexmoor.org.uk | National Trust | VisitBritain/Eureka!

Credit: VisitBritain/Calvertexmoor.org.uk