Visit Colorado Springs Partners with Wheel the World
Partnership will enhance accessible travel to the Pikes Peak Region
June 13, 2023 – Colorado Springs, Colo. – Today, Visit Colorado Springs announced a partnership with Wheel the World – an online marketplace that allows people with disabilities to travel and experience the world in a way best suited for them.
VCOS was recently awarded a Tourism Management Grant from the Colorado Tourism Office, which will help fund the partnership with Wheel the World. Our partnership will begin with completing an initial round of accessibility assessments with hotels and attractions in the Pikes Peak Region that can be booked online. Wheel the World will use these assessments of the businesses to create listings with in-depth information on accessible features – everything from bed and counter height to type of flooring and availability of hearing/visual assistive guidance. Wheel the World users can create profiles and customize their trip planning search based on their individual needs.
"The visitor experience starts in the planning phase, researching options online,” said Doug Price, President & CEO of Visit Colorado Springs. “A partnership with Wheel the World allows us to improve access to accessibility information for our destination before visitors arrive in Colorado Springs.”
By having a listing on Wheel the World, these hospitality businesses will in turn gain exposure to a highly engaged audience, comprehensive training for their staff and tips on how to improve accessibility at their property.
“We're thrilled to announce our partnership with Colorado Springs,” said Camilo Navarro, Co-Founder and COO of Wheel the World. “With an ever-increasing population of people with disabilities, it is not only the right thing to do but also financially beneficial to make destinations more accessible for travelers with accessibility needs.”
In addition to this initiative with Wheel the World, VCOS has made efforts to improve its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) through sponsoring a mobility study by MMGY, hosting mandatory staff trainings and assembling both a DEI Committee and an Accessibility Task Force. As Olympic City USA, Colorado Springs is home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Training Center and Museum. Ensuring that our city is accessible to athletes and all potential visitors is imperative. The organization is committed to ensuring all feel welcome in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.
###
About Visit Colorado Springs Visit Colorado Springs is the leading marketing organization for group and leisure travel and tourism to the Colorado Springs – Olympic City USA and the Pikes Peak Region. The organization is dedicated to a strong national and international presence so that tourism is a primary contributor to a thriving local economy. We create economic vitality through memorable visits to the wonders of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. https://www.visitcos.com/ #VisitCOS on Facebook//Twitter//Instagram//YouTube//Pinterest//Blog
About Wheel the World Wheel the World is a social enterprise with the goal of empowering people with disabilities to explore the world without limits. Wheel the World’s commitment is to provide detailed information about accessibility and specialized customer support throughout the entire travel experience. https://wheeltheworld.com/