Autism and Tourism – How the Industry is Adapting to This Day

The world of tourism is available for people of all mental abilities to enjoy to the fullest. One tourist may have a strong mind and be able to organise, embark on, and enjoy their holidaying adventure. Another tourist may not be as confident and will only rely on the plans that others they are familiar with make for them.

For most readers, the individuals I mentioned may seem like regular people who may not appear to have a mental condition at first glance. Yet, some readers might have a different perspective, viewing them as individuals within the autistic spectrum, with one being more outgoing than the other.

Either way, these are two of the countless tourists with an autism diagnosis that tourism companies are becoming warier of to this day. From the moment they board that plane to when they prepare to embark back home, tourism companies have taken steps in recent years to accommodate those with autism.

The Journey from Airport to Airport

Enduring an uncomfortable ordeal when travelling isn’t for every autistic person. The long queue at the check-in desk, the long wait for the flight, and even the long flight itself are enough for an autistic person to lose patience. While this may be the case, airlines are increasing their awareness of these autistic children and adults, predominantly by introducing a Hidden Disability Sunflower scheme.

This may be a significant scheme known to many airlines, and airports worldwide have graciously accepted it. Before the day of the autistic person’s flight, the airline sends visual booklets and videos, which enable them to feel better prepared. When the autistic person arrives at the airport, they will have their lanyard around their neck. The airport staff will then know to be on hand for this person should they require further assistance.

In addition, airports have introduced sensory rooms, which can be located in the departure lounges. These rooms provide a haven for autistic people who must escape the airport's hustle and bustle. They include everything to relax the senses, such as dimmed lighting and bubble towers for that added zen feel.

The amount of time spent on the flight itself can cause further discomfort for the autistic person. They may become restless in their seats or need help walking down the daunting aisle to the nearest toilet. To make this experience more accessible for the autistic traveller, several airlines provide the option to select seats for no extra charge. This gives the autistic traveller and their family a chance to sit as close to these aeroplane toilets as possible.

When this autistic traveller arrives at their destination’s airport, the ordeal is almost over. They can have their sunflower lanyard ready to be displayed should they require further assistance from airport staff. Before this can happen, however, they may need to deal with a short bus ride from the aircraft to the airport terminal or a walk along a long, narrow boarding bridge.

Tackling this will mean they will have more space and feel even more relaxed as they adjust to their new surroundings. Once the luggage is collected from the conveyor belt, the autistic person and their family can leave the airport and kick-start their holiday.

Enjoying a Holiday with Autism

Many travel agents aim primarily to provide autism-friendly holiday packages. They specialise in researching the most autism-friendly hotels, resorts, and local tours that offer relief for autistic people and their families.

The websites of these hotels and resorts will display information concerning their autism-friendly status. They boast of being establishments with the best understanding of the ‘Autism Friendly Seal,’ which, once rewarded, means that the establishment has the knowledge and skills to offer support to autistic guests.

The Autism Friendly Seal is an initiative for different forms of accommodation to display their keenness to serve and support those with autism. Having obtained this seal, the hotel/resort has compliance with the following guidelines:

• Implement a fast check-in system to avoid waiting for arrival at the hotel/resort. This reduces the risk of the autistic guest becoming impatient.

• Adapted menus with pictures to help people with any language difficulties. The more images used, the more understanding is developed when the autistic guest reads these menus.

• Adequate training should be provided regularly so hotel/resort staff know how to care for autistic guests.

• Personalised service for whatever the autistic guest requires.

• Clear signs should be provided to ease moving around the hotel’s/resort’s facilities.

• Simple guides and visual aids must be available so the autistic guest knows what to expect.

 Tours for Autistic People

There is an endless list of tour providers in countries worldwide who will undoubtedly provide tours for those with autism. However, it is always advisable to check with the tour providers to confirm if this is the case; some may not be able to arrange autism-friendly tours.

Holiday representatives will be at the hotel/resort where the autistic traveller and their family are staying. They will be on hand to advise on local tours that can successfully accommodate those with autism in overload-free environments. They can also confirm the timings and costs for these tours as standard.

The best tours for autistic travellers tend to be those that take place in quieter settings. This, however, depends on how used to loud environments the autistic traveller is, as they may already have that tolerance. If so, then the options for this autistic traveller are less restrictive in terms of the times they may wish to book the tour.

This all falls to the autistic traveller themselves, and for the families to query with the tour companies themselves should the autistic traveller require quieter environments.

As this article has deduced, the tourism industry has worked constantly to ensure that it looks after its autistic travellers. It has taken great care and consideration to ensure that both the autistic travellers and their families are well tendered to and that their needs are met. This remains the case to this day, as it will surely be in the future of tourism.