Article shared from travelweekly.com.au
SeaLink’s Red Cat Adventures and Whitsunday Jetski Tours recently hosted five carers and 14 clients on board the Wildcat for a sightseeing tour of Airlie Beach.
This is in light of the company making strides to enhance accessibility for all guests, especially those with accessibility needs. It underscores SeaLink’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring every traveller can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, without barriers.
“We appreciate all the considerations Red Cat Adventures and Whitsunday Jetski Tours staff put in place for our diverse group of clients,” support carer, Ricki Conn, said. “Personally, I felt the staff went above and beyond any expectations I had.”
“Everybody felt included and were given many opportunities to try new things. We had an incredible time with our clients on the fast boat trip, but the real highlight was when they got to jump on the back of a jet ski with one of the guides,” she said.
Added guest, Jenny: “I enjoyed it; you can walk around safely without worry. The staff were very friendly and helpful, with kind personalities. They shared information about the life jackets and had really good communication in person and over the loudspeaker; and the food was good too. I got on a jetski and had a lot of fun. Even though we were going fast, I knew I was safe. I would love to go again.”
Key enhancements to SeaLink services:
- Wheelchair-friendly vessel: the Wildcat is specifically designed to accommodate guests with mobility challenges.
- Accessible information: they provide clear and detailed information to help guests with disabilities make informed decisions on their desired adventure.
- Dedicated accessibility page: the page serves as a comprehensive resource for all accessibility-related information.
- Marked accessible tours: all tours specially tailored to be accessible are clearly marked to allow guests to find and select tours that meet their requirements.
- Staff training: staff members are trained to assist guests with varying needs.
“We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef,” Julie Telford from Red Cat Adventures said. “Our commitment to accessibility is reflected in the enhancements we’ve made to our vessel and the information we provide our guests.
“We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where all guests can enjoy a holiday to beautiful Whitsundays, including snorkelling and jet ski adventures.”
Red Cat Adventures operates snorkelling tours from Airlie Beach and Mackay, taking guests to explore the vibrant marine life of the Great Barrier Reef.
Whitsunday Jetski Tours operates two half-day tours daily from the Coral Sea Marina, South Village. The Airlie Adventure (1.5-hour jetski tour) and the Two Island Safari (2-hour jetski tour).
SeaLink Whitsundays, Red Cat Adventures, and Whitsundays Jetski Tours all also proudly boast Ecotourism Australia’s Advanced ECO Certification, highlighting a dedication to sustainable practices and authentic nature-based tourism experiences. This eco certification reflects an ongoing commitment to responsible tourism and the preservation of the pristine beauty of the Whitsundays for generations to come.