Genuine Disabled-Friendly Accommodation. Does Market Exist?

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Genuine Disabled-Friendly Accommodation. Does Market Exist?

Poll ended at Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:18 am

Yes
3
43%
Yes but only via organisation/corporate relationships
0
No votes
Narrow niche
1
14%
Exsisting operators control market
0
No votes
Too few offerings to be commercial
0
No votes
Customers made cynical by partially honest adverts
2
29%
No
1
14%
 
Total votes: 7

Stewart
Posts: 131
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 1:32 pm
Location: Fife, Scotland

Genuine Disabled-Friendly Accommodation. Does Market Exist?

Post by Stewart »

We are new to self-catering and are marketing a cottage in Scotland. From a standing start in February we have let 20 weeks this year so far. So it looks like we could have something commercial here. Pricing at present is 10 to 20 perecnt cheaper than established local competition (although I don't think this is really a deal clincher for most).

Surprisingly to us the private parking, ramp access, stair lift, level floors, level lounge to Patio, wet room with grab rails etc have not attracted anyone with a degree of immobility. Our channels to market are

Own Site (inc booking engine)
www.courtsidefalkland.co.uk (12 visits /day. 10 visits/month 10 minutes or longer).

There is a dedicated section on the particular mobility features plus dimensioned drawings and pics to download

General referers
HL/TripAdvisor (60 views and 5 clickthroughs to our site per month)
www.holidaylettings4you.co.uk/ (nothing - proving that simply cloning an established player is not going to work)
IHA (nothing)

Disabled Info Sites
www.ableize.com (10 views and 2 click throughs/month)
www.disabledholidayinfo.org.uk (negligible and a clunky site)

We had thought a third of custom would arise as a result of these features. Alas not to date. Any experiences or ideas?

Many Thanks, Stewart & Lindsey Thomson
golfing girl
Posts: 231
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 1:12 pm
Location: Lake District

Post by golfing girl »

Although our cottages are suitable for elderly and infirm but not for wheel chair users I have twice been asked in the last 6 months specific mobility questions...which suggests there is a market and with the ageing population I would think an increasing market. So hang on in there ,I think you may have something
I wish I was on the golf course
User avatar
Nemo
Posts: 7062
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:15 am
Location: Norfolk

Post by Nemo »

I have been asked once regarding access etc for a disabled child although they did not go on to book. This resulted in me creating an access statement if nothing else!

I gleaned that it can be very difficult to find suitable accommodation, especially "home like" properties that have all the features but without looking like a hospital. A small but growing market probably, perhaps without enough routes to market (ie specialist sites that people are aware of, or a section within a big listing site)?
User avatar
wallypott
Posts: 1421
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2010 9:50 pm

Post by wallypott »

I suspect that once you have made a start this is something where word of mouth could have a real impact. I know I would ask others with the same disability problems where they went on holiday.

Might I suggest you give a week - low season - to a charity in your target market and see if that leads anywhere.
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