Podcasts
VRS113 – Accessible Vacation Rentals with Andy Renals
Today’s guest lives in one of my bucket list spots – the Mediterranean island of Cyprus – and it is one of my destinations for 2016. In fact, we are booked into his Villa Carpe Diem for a week in September, and can’t wait.
Apart from being beautifully located on the ancient island of Aphrodite, the property is completely accessible for people with disabilities and has a fully equipped and self-contained adapted apartment on the lower level.
Owners, Andy and Niki Renals custom built the villa with disabled guests in mind and the outcome is a niche accommodation option that is regularly booked by disabled guests and their carers. There is even a wheelchair adapted vehicle (WAV).
Andy talks about why he chose to create this adapted space and how he works with booking partners in the disability sector to fill the property. We also discuss the comprehensive access statement that Niki has developed to ensure guests know exactly what is available to them.
Finally, Andy shares a few tips for owners who might be thinking about making their vacation homes more accessible, and are thinking about renovation plans.
We talked about:
- Why the Renal’s chose Cyprus to build their vacation home
- The type of equipment that meets the needs of guests with disabilities
- The importance of a thorough accessibility statement
- Targeting niche groups through booking partners
- How the changing nature of Home Away is affecting bookings at Villa Carpe Diem
- Why a good website is so important
- How owners could create more accessibility
- Networking and the benefits of sharing experiences with other owners.
And more…..
Sites mentioned in this episode:
Access Statement
Booking partner – Disabled Holidays.com
Who's featured in this episode?
