PQ0510 - Further Support for Accessible Tourism

Birmingham City Council would like to support the continued development of accessibility within Birmingham's visitor economy.

To deliver this there is a requirement for an accessible tourism specialist with extensive experience of working with different types of visitor economy businesses.

Birmingham's Visitor Destination Plan identified that there is a real opportunity for the city's visitor economy to improve accessibility, provide an inclusive welcome and tap into a new and potentially loyal customer base.

The Support for Accessible Tourism workstream seeks to improve understanding, practises and customer service amongst businesses to ensure that customers with accessibility needs are welcomed and valued, whether they are residents, tourists or parents who require changing facilities.

The Council developed an online 'Accessible Tourism Hub' featuring training webinars, information guides and toolkits to support visitor economy businesses in becoming more accessible.

Launched in March 2023, the hub was welcomed by the sector but uptake has been slow with employers facing competing pressures such as the cost of living crisis, rising energy costs and an unstable labour market.

The project will also work with accessibility champions to create short-form social media videos aimed at the traditionally time-poor hospitality sector by demonstrating how small changes can make a significant difference to customers with access requirements.

A product audit found that the websites of around 90% of Birmingham's restaurants and cafes had no information at all on accessibility, and some of those that did only addressed wheelchair users, ignoring the 80% of disabled people with hidden impairments.

The contract will be for the period commencing May 2024 and concluding on 31st January 2025.

The Council will be using its free to use e-tendering system (in-tend) for the administration of this procurement process and potential suppliers must register with the system to be able to express an interest.

If you wish to express an interest in this opportunity, please click on the following link to access https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc/ and submit your details to register.

You will then be able to log on which will enable you to download all relevant quotation documentation.

If you are unable to register with In-tend or have any questions or problems on how to use this web site please email us at: cps@birmingham.gov.uk Your completed tender submission should be returned by noon on 17th April 2024 via the 'in-tend' system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc.