Education & training
The training modules.
Practical, experience-led modules grounded in how tourism actually operates. Designed to move beyond compliance and embed inclusion into everyday operations, customer experience, and business decision-making.
Modules can be completed individually or as a structured learning pathway. Over 25 modules are included with the Adapting Aotearoa commitment, or can be purchased separately.
Stream one
Inclusive Tourism Training
These modules build strong foundations and move into applied, practical delivery — embedding inclusion into everyday operations, customer experience, and business decision-making.
Foundations of Inclusive Tourism+
Understand who your customers are, what they need, and why the access tourism market matters. Learn how inclusive design builds trust, loyalty, and long-term value.
Introduction to Accessible & Inclusive Tourism+
An overview of the access tourism market and its relevance to visitors, communities, and the future of tourism.
Attitudes and Assumptions+
Explore how stereotypes and social attitudes create barriers — often unintentionally — and how to shift toward respectful, person-led engagement.
Welcoming Guests with Disabilities+
Learn how first impressions, communication, and everyday interactions shape whether customers feel welcome and confident.
Customer Experience+
Great service is central to inclusive tourism. This module focuses on consistency, trust, and delivering experiences customers want to return to and recommend.
Understanding Ableism+
Identify how ableism shows up in tourism environments and how to move toward inclusive, thoughtful practice.
Travelling Solo or Accompanied+
Respond confidently and respectfully to customers travelling independently or with support people, friends, or whānau.
Inclusion vs Accessibility+
Clarify the difference between inclusion and accessibility — and why both matter for your business and your customers.
Developing Accessibility+
Move beyond minimum standards and explore how to strengthen access in practical, achievable ways.
The Inclusive Formula+
See how good service, clear communication, and thoughtful design work together to create genuinely welcoming experiences.
Adaptive Adventure Tourism+
The cornerstone of our industry. Learn how to embrace adaptive adventure in your business and how Adapting Aotearoa supports you to do it properly.
Assisting Customers+
Learn how to offer assistance appropriately, respect independence, and adapt to individual needs — without assumption.
Adaptive Advisory+
Understand the role of adaptive advisory services and specialist input in safe, high-quality experience design.
Adaptive Equipment+
An introduction to adaptive equipment and how it supports participation, independence, and adventure across different tourism settings.
Steps to Best Practice+
Bring learning together and focus on what it takes to deliver high-quality, inclusive experiences consistently.
Inclusive Marketing+
Build confidence in communicating inclusion honestly through language, imagery, and messaging that reaches the right audience.
Tour Agencies & Destination Management+
Learn how to work with partners to deliver and promote authentic, inclusive tourism experiences across the supply chain.
The Philosophy of Inclusive Tourism+
Inclusive tourism is not only about travellers with disabilities — it's about valuing the whole of society and creating a destination everyone can be proud of.
Stream two
Access Guide Training
Access Guides give customers the information they need to decide if an experience is right for them — before they arrive. These modules teach you how to create, communicate, and maintain them to the highest standard.
Why Access Guides Matter+
Understand why Access Guides are one of the most powerful enablers of accessible and inclusive tourism — and how they change the visitor experience.
Experience Guide+
Focus on the full customer journey — not just physical features — from arrival to departure, and how to communicate it honestly.
Physical Access Guide+
Learn how to clearly communicate layouts, surfaces, entrances, gradients, and facilities so customers can plan with confidence.
Transportation+
Include transport information that helps customers feel informed and confident about getting to and from your experience.
The Wording+
Communicate access information clearly, respectfully, and without assumptions — language that empowers rather than limits.
Hospitality+
Support inclusive dining, entertainment, and social experiences through clear, honest access communication that welcomes everyone.
Accommodation+
Learn why accommodation Access Guides are essential and how to get them right — from room features to shared spaces and check-in processes.
Ready to start the conversation?
If you're a tourism operator wanting to lead on accessibility — or a destination wondering where to begin — we'd love to hear from you.
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