Press Releases - accessible travel

Jon Fletcher, a travel agent who is disabled himself and is a keen traveller is launching a new accessible travel brand selling direct to the disabled traveller, that is breaking the mould. 

Our Mission at The Wheelie Good Travel Company is to be the most exciting, most fun, most adventurous accessible travel specialist in the UK. We believe it is important to listen to our travellers travel dreams and listen to what they need to make that dream a reality.  We want to put the fun back into accessible travel.  

The Wheelie Good Travel Company is more than just another travel agency, we are seeking to create a community of accessible travellers and our hope is that our community will influence our product development and brand.  We are looking at creating holidays both in the UK and overseas that will reflect the wide range of interests of our communities.

Jon Fletcher the CEO says “we recognise that disabled travellers want to be seen as travellers who just happen to be disabled.  So our approach is to establish what their travel dream is, then work together with them to make their dream a reality.” He goes on to say “I believe travel should be fun and accessible to everyone.”

The Wheelie Good Travel Company launched the new website on Monday 8 November 2021.  

The Wheelie Good Travel Company is part of Silver Service Cruises Ltd, a franchisee of Cruise Holidays UK.

PRESS RELEASE - DISABLED TRAVEL AGENT SHORTLISTED FOR TOP AWARD FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Jon Fletcher the CEO of the new accessible travel brand Wheelie Good Travel Company, part of the Cruise Holidays UK franchise has been shortlisted for the Travel Trade Gazette Travel Pride Champion Award.  This is the second time he has been shortlisted for the prestigious award, celebrating those who actively promote diversity and inclusion in the travel industry.  

Jon says, “I am particularly proud to be shortlisted this time as it is in recognition of me founding Wheelie Good Travel Company, a company that brings a fresh approach to the accessible travel sector and aims to bring the fun back into travelling with a disability.”

There are 9 individuals nominated for the award which will be announced in London on December 2.  

Press Release

11 August 2022

Groundbreaking Greater Manchester based independent travel company Wheelie Good Travel Company, who specialize in accessible holidays for disabled travellers and inclusive to all travel have been shortlisted in the Disruptor of the Year category of the 2022 North West Business Masters Awards.  

Jon Fletcher CEO of Wheelie Good Travel Company said “We are extremely proud to be recognized as a  groundbreaking company in the North West and proud to be the only independent travel business to be shortlisted in these awards. It is exciting that our attempt to bring something new to the travel industry has been recognised in this way.”

Jon Fletcher launched Wheelie Good Travel Company in November 2021.  He decided to launch Wheelie Good Travel Company following lengthy consultations with disabled travellers.  He  recognized that many disabled travellers wanted a new style of accessible and inclusive travel company.  He found disabled travellers were calling for an approach, that focussed on the fun aspect of travelling with a disability and listened to the travellers needs.  As Jon Fletcher say “our first question is. What is their holiday dream? Our second question is. What do we need to do to make it come true?”

Jon Fletcher is a disabled person himself with Spina Bifida and has over a decade of experience in the travel industry.

Jon says “The Pandemic was a great opportunity to look at what direction we wanted to take and at what new opportunities we could pursue.  For me Wheelie Good Travel Company is the fulfillment of a long held dream and I am excited about the journey we are on as it develops. So to be shortlisted for this prestigious award is a great honour.”

The Mission at The Wheelie Good Travel Company is to be the most exciting, most fun, most adventurous accessible travel specialist in the UK. We believe it is important to listen to our travellers travel dreams and listen to what they need to make that dream a reality.  We want to put the fun back into accessible travel.  

The Wheelie Good Travel Company is more than just another travel agency, we are seeking to create a community of accessible travellers and our hope is that our community will influence our product development and brand.  We are looking at creating holidays both in the UK and overseas that will reflect the wide range of interests of our communities.

Jon Fletcher the CEO says “we recognise that disabled travellers want to be seen as travellers who just happen to be disabled.  So our approach is to establish what their travel dream is, then work together with them to make their dream a reality.” He goes on to say “I believe travel should be fun and accessible to everyone.”

To find out more 

Email jon@wheeliegoodtravelcompany.com

Or Call 0161 408 2161

Website: www.wheeliegoodtravelcompany.com

Press Release

7 November 2022

Jon Fletcher, an independent travel agent who launched his second travel brand, an accessible travel specialist agency, is celebrating a successful first year of the brand. To celebrate, Jon has launched an exciting new award scheme for the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, Triple A Award, to encourage the industry to adopt accessibility and inclusion for all as a viable and sustainable model for the future of the travel industry and help guests with have accessibility and inclusion needs identify where they will be welcome and respected.

Jon Fletcher says of the scheme “I am proud to have launched the Triple A awards as I believe it is important to recognize, where our industry is working to become more accessible for disabled and more inclusive to all.  This award will be awarded to those in our industry who are trying to set the Gold Standard in accessibility and inclusion.”

The first recipient of the new award was Hotel Brooklyn in Manchester.  Jon presented the award to Kevin Healey Regional Director of Sales and Laura Mackie Sales Manager for Hotel Brooklyn Manchester.

Jon Fletcher says “A year ago I sat on the stoop in Hotel Brooklyn, feeling inspired by what their team achieve and tentatively I told my partner of an idea buzzing around in my head.  I shared with him the germ of the idea of creating what I hoped would be a groundbreaking and exciting new accessible and inclusive to all travel company.  So we did and started one of the most exciting journeys of our lives.  If it had not been for Hotel Brooklyn Manchester there would be no Wheelie Good Travel Company so it seemed fitting to choose HotelBrooklyn in Manchester as our first recipient.”

It is hoped that award winners will be seen as the benchmark that the industry will follow and disabled guests will feel confident in. 

With at least 20% of the population identifying as being disabled and an ever growing aging population eager to continue traveling it is an important sector of the market and one that will become increasingly influential.

If you would like to know more about this story please contact

Jon Fletcher 

Tel 0161 408 2161

Or 

Email Jon@wheeliegoodtravelcompany.com

Press Release

17 November 2023

Jon Fletcher, a Greater Manchester based accessible travel specialist, blogger and podcaster was intrigued when an email popped into his inbox, inviting him to become one of a select group of ‘‘pioneer contributors’ to an exciting new accessible travel writers and experts share exciting content to inspire other disabled travels to explore the world and embark on their own adventures.

Journeyable is the brainchild of Fred Maas Jr, a travel specialist in Delaware and the site is described as a community of renowned social influencers, global charities, world leaders, celebrities, NGOs, and everyday heroes who have united to make a global impact and travel accessible to all. 

Jon Fletcher says ““I was so excited when Fred and his team approached me with their idea. I came away from the meeting safe in the knowledge that Journeyable was going to raise the profile of accessible travel and inspire disabled people from around the world to explore the world around them. It mirrors what I am trying to achieve with Wheelie Good Travel Company and the Wheelie Good Travel Guide Podcast.” 

Journeyable.org has an exciting blend of articles, stories and films to inspire disabled travellers and show disability is no barrier to exploring the world..

If you would like to know more about this story please contact

Jon Fletcher 

Tel 0161 408 2161

Or 

Email Jon@wheeliegoodtravelcompany.com

Press Release 

22 November 2024

Manchester Travel Specialist Announced As One Of Most Influential Disabled People.

Jon Fletcher CEO of Wheelie Good Travel Company has been listed in prestigious Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 2024

This year’s Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list has been announced and includes Jon Fletcher CEO of Wheelie Good Travel Company

Recognised for their work as a disability changemaker Jon is being celebrated as one of the 100 most influential disabled individuals in the UK and a leader in their field. The awards are publicly nominated and judged by a panel of 25 disabled champions including international business leader Dr Shani Dhanda, Chief Executive of Paralympics GB, David Clark and Coronation Street actorCherylee Houston. 

Jon Fletcher has been recognised for their impact, innovation and influence in changing the perceptions and stereotypes of disability. Their work has included campaigning for improvement to accessibility within the the travel industry, raising awareness about accessible travel and campaigning for equalit, diversity and greater inclusion for disabled people.

Speaking about their award Jon said: “It is a great honour and I am proud that my contribution to improving accessibility within the travel industry and improving Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for fellow disabled people has been Recognised.  I believe this work has never been more important at a time when disabled people are facing great inequality. I will continue to speak up and speak out on accessibility and equality for disabled people.”

National charity, Shaw Trust, runs the Disability Power 100 to raise the profile of disabled talent and challenge the disability employment gap head-on. Head of Disability Power 100, Alona De Havilland, says: “The Disability Power 100 is all about creating change, it celebrates ambition and achievement, and plays a role in challenging society’s perceptions of disability by recognising the strengths, contributions and successes of 100 disabled individuals each year.”

She continues “We all need role models. People who are pioneers and changemakers. This year we witnessed our Team GB Paralympians rightly celebrated for their elite athleticism, sporting prowess and determination to succeed. The Disability Power 100 celebrates disabled roles models with the same determination, expertise and ambition in all sectors from architecture to construction; finance to healthcare; transport to music. It is a rallying cry to future generations of leaders and a call for employers and society to recognise the talents and skills of disabled people.”

The full list of 2024 finalists can be found at www.disabilitypower100.com.  

If you would like to know more about this story please contact

Jon Fletcher 

Tel 0161 408 2161

Or 

Email Jon@wheeliegoodtravelcompany.com

Wheelie Good Travel Company Releases Comprehensive Report on the State of Disability Assistance at UK Airports

Manchester, UK – 5 December 2024

Jon Fletcher CEO of Wheelie Good Travel Company has published a groundbreaking report examining the state of disability assistance at UK airports. The report, based on extensive research and first-hand accounts, highlights significant gaps in service, identifies best practices, and calls for urgent action to improve airport assistance for passengers with disabilities.

The report, titled “Disabled Passenger Airport Assistance – The Need to Change” evaluates services provided under the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidelines and the Equality Act 2010. It reveals that many passengers still face significant barriers, including inadequate staff training, inconsistent accessibility infrastructure, shortages of essential appropriate equipment and delays in receiving assistance.

Key Findings:

  •       Service Inconsistencies: Passengers reported varying experiences depending on the airport and even between visits to the same airport.

  •       Staff Training Gaps: The report identifies several gaps in the training of assistance personnel including, communication, manual handling, use of equipment and awareness of the needs of people with less visible disabilities.

  •       Accessibility Equipment: The report highlights an apparent shortage of essential equipment such as wheelchairs, aisle chairs, hoists etc.

  •       Safeguarding Concerns: For example, it was highlighted by several respondents to the survey that there is a common practice of separating disabled travellers from their families. 

Recommendations:

The report outlines a roadmap for improvement, urging airports and assistance providers to:

     1.   Implement mandatory and standardized training for airport assistance staff.

     2.   Invest in appropriate equipment to address mobility and sensory challenges.

     3.   Enhance communication between passengers and service providers to reduce delays and misunderstandings, including smart phone apps and technology.

Quotes:

“Traveling should be a seamless experience for everyone, regardless of ability. Our findings show there is still a long way to go, but with the right focus and commitment, UK airports can lead the way in accessibility,” said Jon Fletcher, CEO of Wheelie Good Travel Company.

Next Steps:

Wheelie Good Travel Company is calling on government bodies, airlines, and airport operators to collaborate on these recommendations, inviting industry leaders to develop actionable solutions.

The full report is available for download at https://www.canva.com/design/DAGTEDntZR4/4bo9Fgy8MLVIRQ5BThoAvw/view?utm_content=DAGTEDntZR4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer

Contact Information:

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Jon Fletcher

CEO

Wheelie Good Travel Company

0161 408 2161

Jon@wheeliegoodtravelcompany.com

Wheeliegoodtravelcompany.com