A group of tourism service providers met recently at Bramleys Tea Rooms in St Florence to celebrate their completion of the PLANED 'Inclusive Tourism for All Programme' and the launch of the 2004 Vistitors Guide.

The Inclusive Tourism programme, which was part-funded by the EU European Regional Development Fund (Objective 1), provided high quality business advice and support for a group of tourism businesses aiming to enhance the accessibility of their services and facilities.

Sarah Worby, PLANED's tourism development officer, said: "PLANED first recognised the opportunity that offering more 'inclusive' services and facilities would provide for small tourism businesses in Pembrokeshire a number of years ago. PLANED commissioned a study, part funded by the Wales Tourist Board, which revealed that only 34 per cent of people registered with a disability currently takes a holiday, but that there was enormous potential in increasing the size of this 'market' - as people with disabilities display a propensity to travel/stay at off-peak/out-of-season times, make bookings well in advance and return time and again to places that meet their needs.

"The findings of the study prompted PLANED to develop the 'Inclusive Tourism for All' programme in order to help small tourism businesses in Pembrokeshire to access this 'market' as well as to prepare for the Disability Discrimination Act. Forty-five businesses have completed the course and, as part of this, have also earned Welcome Host Service for All certificates.

"The 2004 Visitors Guide is the first stage in a joint marketing programme for the group, as it contains a dedicated 'Inclusive Holiday' section. This highlights the services and facilities provided by a number of the businesses which have completed the programme and become Welcome Host Service for All accredited."

For further information on the PLANED 'Working Towards Inclusive Tourism' programme and the 2004 Visitors Guide, contact Sarah Worby on 01834 862114 or email [email protected]">[email protected].