An inclusive and accessible travel company launched last week in Melbourne, providing blind and low vision travellers with access to a curated and immersive sensory experience.
Created by the founders of Cocky Guides, an award-winning group tour operator for blind and low-vision travellers, Sensory Tourism Australia is an emerging concept that presents destinations as sensory-centred experiences, as opposed to traditional sight-seeing.
Focusing on hearing, taste, smell, and touch, Sensory Tourism Australia’s tours aims to enhance the tourism experience for those with impaired or no vision, in a safe and social manner.
Sensory Tourism Australia Director and Co-Founder Kellie Hayes expressed excitement at the launch of the brand, praising her team of experienced tour guides.
“We are delighted to present Australia’s first curated ‘Stay And Discover’ packages in Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns, designed to support blind and low vision travellers visiting Australia,” she said.
“With a keen focus on presenting Australian destinations in a sensory and tactile way, our guides are, first and foremost, experienced tour guides who have each had hundreds of hours presenting destinations to blind and low-vision travellers.”
The company has also been actively working with Destination NSW in their NSW First program to develop an internationally-ready product that allows travellers from overseas to partake in the tours and explore Australia.
Operating in Cairns, Melbourne, and Sydney, Sensory Tourism Australia currently has four travel packages on offer, with both day and overnight tours available.
