Prize Winners ...

Rebecca Gale from Bracknell – won: -
5 days half-board accommodation a the Hotel Rialto
Donated by Avi Events.

Mrs Jean Wilkes from Pontefract – won: -
1-week stay in an accessible apartment and transfers from Barcelona airport in December 2006
Donated by Let’s go Costa Brava.

Chris Nicholson from London - Won: -
1-week stay at the Residencial Voranova in Mallorca with flights from Manchester or Birmingham
Donated by the Residencial Voranova and Monarch Airlines.

Mr Mark Kevan – Won: -
Rio 3+ Mini Scooter donated by Eurocare Mobility Services

Mr Stanley Wilkes from Pontefract – Won: -
£500 voucher for a holiday in Las Vinas
Donated by Eurocare Mobility Services

Mrs Grace Lambert from Buckinghamshire – Won: -
2 weeks stay at Eria Resort in Greece

Mrs Rachel Mardell from Dorset – Won: -
Luxurious Bathrobe
Donated by Royal Caribbean International.

Mr Gregory Heath from Hertfordshire – Won: -
Two bottles of champagne
Donated by Silversea Cruises

Amy Taylor from West Sussex - Won: -
A bottle of champagne
Donated by Norwegian Cruise Lines

Elsa Leslie from Coupar Angus and Robin Coles from Bromley both won: -
A navy fleece
Donated by Royal Caribbean Cruises

FIRST-EVER ACCESSIBLE HOLIDAY SHOW 2005 A GREAT SUCCESS

The first-ever Accessible Holiday Show 2005 proved such a success that it is set to become an annual event. The two-day free entry exhibition held recently at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire attracted some 800 visitors and 40 exhibitors from the UK, Europe, South Africa and Florida.

Exhibitor Mr RC Salveson of Jumbulance Travel Trust said: “ We were delighted with the show and in particular, the advantageous location. As an exhibitor, the event was very worthwhile. It gave us the opportunity to meet many people who had never heard of us and to make further contact with those we had met in the past.”

Pilar Valcarce, Sales Manager, Spain’s Confortel Hotels comments: “ Considering the event was the first of its kind, we feel it was a complete success. We really appreciate the work that must have gone into making it happen. The management of Confortel Hotels were delighted with the attendance and will support any future shows.”

Visitor, Mr Rhys Northwood said: “Thank you so much for organising the Accessible Holiday Show - you are diamonds! My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it and acquired so much invaluable information.”

Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the National Centre for Wheelchair Sport, was ideally equipped for hosting the Accessible Holiday Show 2005. The purpose-built complex is based near the most famous spinal injury hospital in the UK, which meant the exhibition attracted a high number of recently injured people. As new wheelchair users, the show highlighted just how many opportunities were available to them.

The Accessible Holiday Show was organised by Accessible Travel and Leisure, a leading specialist independent tour operator providing package and custom-designed holidays for people with disabilities. All tourism sectors were well represented including destinations, tour operators, transport providers and accommodation.

According to Andy Wright, Managing Director, Accessible Travel & Leisure: “ We are delighted at the success of the show especially as it was the first of its type in the UK. We definitely succeeded in raising awareness and highlighting the varying requirements of the disabled holidaymaker.

He continues: “The aisles were packed on both days and we’ve received some really positive feedback from both visitors and exhibitors. It has provided the platform for the future and although we are currently conducting visitor and exhibitor surveys, the plan is to organise another show for 2006, with a view to making it an annual event.”

Ends October 05

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Emma Hulse
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Pat Edgar, PR Matters
Tel:        01494 764932
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