Getting back into the travel experience is one of the joys of feeling free again after the painful lockdown restrictions.
But even though the shackles are off, there are still a few hurdles you have to cope with. ‘Out There Travel Care’ has launched a groundbreaking service to help visitors to the Cairns and Port Douglas regions deal with mobility challenges and health issues.
This new service offers care and support for tours and activity services and is specifically designed to make the region’s iconic tourism destinations more accessible and enjoyable.
With the economic contribution of accessible tourism predicted to be 25% of the total tourism market by 2025, and accessibility being identified by the World Tourism Organisation as a game changer for destination recovery it just makes complete sense.
The ‘Out There Travel Care’ Team of qualified travel professionals provides just the right level of experience, support and advice to ensure your expectation are not only met but exceeded.
‘Out There Travel Care’ covers a range of specific services:
Tour Companion: As part of their service a qualified carer will join your travel party for a day on the reef, in the rainforest or in and around the region, from Cairns to Port Douglas.
Respite Care: This service provides destination-specific care services tailored to the individual and designed to not only enable the primary carer a day off to relax and explore the region, but also to create a memorable day in the tropics full of the individual’s interests and passions.
Personal Care: This service provides professional support for daily personal care needs or emergency care after a holiday incident at any time of the day or night in the comfort of the traveler’s accommodation.
‘Out There Travel Care’s’ General Manager Kevin Fields, says “After owning a travel agency for 30 years and spending 10 years as General Manager of a boutique home care business the opportunity to blend these two skills to deliver care services to people on holiday was right under my nose. Our region has so much to offer but it requires getting ‘out there’ to experience it. If we can help travellers to our paradise get more from their holiday, we have done a great thing”.
Sharon Salvestrin, ‘Out There Care’s’ Business Development Manager says “The business has been modelled on robust data from our Demand Study in 2017 with BDA Research, Melbourne. The study showed that 1.3 million Australians require care or assistance for day-to-day activities representing 6.2% of the Australian population. 855,000 Australians serve as primary carers. Our research also showed that 5.1% of all domestic visitors to Tropical North Queensland, (71,000 people) annually require regular care and support during their everyday lives yet there has never been a local Travel Care Support System available to help them get out there and experience all we have to offer, Until Now.”
The local industry has embraced the idea. Sharon explained “Over the past 2 months I have been working with local Tour Desks, accommodation providers, tours and attractions to engage them as Preferred Partners of ‘Out There Travel Care’… and the support couldn’t have been more positive, it’s quite overwhelming and everyone is open arms to work with us”.
How to book ‘Out There Travel Care’ Services
To book their Travel Carers visitors can:
- Call on 07 4255 6888
- Email them on info@outtheretravelcare.com.au
- Visit a local Tour Desk
- Visit www.outtheretravelcare.com.au
Visit Out There Travel Care Now
About ‘Out There Travel Care’
‘Out There Travel Care’ staff are qualified with a minimum of Certificate III in individual support, CPR and First Aid certificates. Just as important is knowing your carer is passionate about the work they do and that they believe people deserve to live well, irrespective of ability.
For the past ten years KF (one of his many nicknames) has been CEO of a highly successful Cairns-based Home Care business. The start of ‘Out There Travel Care’ is testament to Kevin’s love for his wife, Maureen. A highly awarded nurse with years of experience working in aged care, Maureen wanted more for the elderly people of Cairns.
Maureen Fields is a registered nurse with 30 years’ experience; 15 of which were spent working in and managing aged care facilities. She is passionate about the welfare of the elderly and committed to improving the standards of aged care in Australia. As well as founding and overseeing a local community Home Care Company, Maureen is a clinical nurse (and nurse advisor) who supports the clinical management of aged care facilities, ensuring they meet the standards set by government. In 2015 Maureen was honoured with the title of Cairns ‘Business Women’ of the Year.
The Board consists of some of the Far North’s most experienced business minds with Rob Giason as Chair, supported by Maureen Fields, Sue Boisen, Russell Beer, Graham Caldwell and David Inches to advise the new operation through the start-up and growth phases.
‘Out There Travel Care’ officially launched on 1 October 2021.
Supporting Resources from Tourism Australia:
https://www.tourism.australia.com/en/events-and-tools/industry-resources/building-your-tourism-business/accessible-tourism.html
