Virgin Holidays is featuring Dubai and Sydney as the latest destinations offering hotels with facilities for mobility-impaired travellers.
Virgin’s customer care manager, Diane Edwards, said: “We think Dubai will do very well in the accessible holidays market because of the shorter flying time and good standard of hotels.
“One thing you have to consider though, is that most accommodation for wheelchair users in Dubai tends to be in the four-star class so naturally the prices are quite high.”
Virgin offers seven nights half-board in the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach for £769 in June and July staying in a wheelchair accessible room, but that rises to more than £1,000 from October.
Orlando remains the number one destination for Virgin Holidays clients with disabilities although a new offering is a ranch holiday in Arizona.
“Stagecoach Ranch is run by a couple with a disabled daughter, so the set-up there is very disabled-friendly,” said Ms Edwards.
The ranch can be booked in conjunction with a Las Vegas stay for £749 room-only in December. This seven-night package includes return international flights, two nights in Las Vegas, three at the Stagecoach Ranch and a further night back in Las Vegas.
Barbados was another destination beginning to find favour with Virgin’s disabled clientele following alterations made to the Amaryllis Beach Resort.
“We made some recommendations two years ago about what they could do to make the property accessible for wheelchairs and we can now feature it in out brochure,” said Ms Edwards.
“There are other hotels in Barbados that we can offer people who have mobility difficulties but who can manage a few steps.”
A lead-in price for the Amaryllis Beach Resort, including flights, is £659 for seven nights, room-only.