Holiday advertisements on TV

I haven't had an overseas holiday since before Covid and I'm not even disabled!

I don't even know if my passport is in date...

...........but I have yet to observe anyone on these amazing holidays who has the slightest hint of being physically disabled.

My error, I was trying to point out that the advertisements do not feature anyone who appears to by physically disabled. Do they think we shouldn't be allowed to go on holiday then??

Astitchintime

...........but I have yet to observe anyone on these amazing holidays who has the slightest hint of being physically disabled.

My error, I was trying to point out that the advertisements do not feature anyone who appears to by physically disabled. Do they think we shouldn't be allowed to go on holiday then??

Why think that, just because they are not shown? Surely it's up to the individual to find out if they have support for people with disability. My friend had a few people with disability on her holiday, I certainly saw a few on my cruise. Not being represented on TV didn't stop them.

Surely you would be using a specialist travel company? If you’re talking about tv and glossy magazine ads, perhaps there just isn’t enough money in it to justify expensive ads?

I was thinking more along the lines of diversity and inclusion on the part of the advertising/holiday companies actually.
Would it really be so difficult or costly to include someone who uses a walking aid or even a wheelchair? Probably not but it seems we are ever to remain invisible!

They wouldn’t be frolicking on a beach or in a pool though would they, which is the usual scenario?

I suppose it’s for the same reason that any summer dress I ever like in an online ad, is modelled by someone at least 40 years younger than me, rather taller, and considerably slimmer!

But there are never any crowds, the swimming pool is never heaving with badly behaved children….etc etc

This probably isn’t helpful, but us guests were all so happy to seen a husband and wife both aged 90 (combined age 180) in February in the Canaries, they came down the pathways and ramps on wheelchairs then on the chair lift each day to enjoy the (naturist) saunas in the open air complex. (TUI Magic Life Fuerteventura)

It’s the first time I didn’t bump into our 92 year old lady friend from Munich, who walked the beach with poles and spent much of the day in the sea - sometimes in challenging wave conditions too.
(Ultimate respect - she has 2 hip and 2 knee replacements).

Another disabled lady in a wheelchair, with much online advice and written guidance from us other guests was able to get down eventually to the sea and enjoy her first paddle in many years.

So many lovely stories.

The ads are showing typical families. Of course it doesn't mean they don't want disabled people to go on holiday!

Or single !! They always concentrate on families, but other people holiday to.

No it isn't. I would not go on a beach holiday if you paid me, boring sitting on a beach all day. I prefer to be sightseeing and learning about the culture of my chosen holiday country.

If we are thinking of diversity and inclusion in holiday adverts where are all tge people who have huge bellies, fat thighs, stragley hair, not under 40 years old, not embracing a partner. Though, can't imagine contactibg a travel agent asking if they have any holidays to fit the above. It's advertising, what do you expect?

Generally speaking holiday ads are aimed at young people with moderate to good incomes. I imagine the models in the advert were young, slim, sun-tanned, active people, weren't they?

I doubt that demographic would buy a holiday from a firm that made a point of stating how handicap friendly their holidays were.

Currently in Thailand with my husband who is in a wheelchair since having a massive stroke in June last year. Airport assistance was amazing. Slopes at the hotel are quite a challenge as I am not very tall and my husband is 6ft and weighs a lot more than me. I will be very fit when we go home. One sided paralysis isn't going to stop us travelling. Admittedly holidays will not be the same as far as long beach walks etc go but it's lovely to be away from home, in beautiful surroundings with excellent food. We are staying in a villa with an accessible pool. Never give up. Ignore the adverts!

I understand completely what you're saying.

Inclusion of those who are not in the majority is now obvious in a lot of the advertising of other products these days, so why not in holiday ads as well~~

What a great business opportunity for a holiday resort, if they chose to focus on providing holiday experiences for those with various special needs and/or seniors.

In today's economy many of the young/beautiful people [especially if they have kids] can barely keep their heads above water, never mind go on holidays.

You'll find that the ABTA holiday Companies will all have provisions for disabled passengers/guests. Whilst I worked overseas as a holiday rep with various different holiday companies disabled guests were always catered for. It is essential when booking to advise a company of any disabilities and what you will require. Wheelchair support at the airport, medication on board the flight as well as requirements in any hotel.

It's an advert what do you expect.

And your point is? I don't think diversity is the point of the ads...if you want to go on holiday go....

Advertisers sell images of happy healthy sexy young people. Images of disabled, ugly, aged, or sexless persons are not effective copy except for certain niche markets.

rocketship

I understand completely what you're saying.

Inclusion of those who are not in the majority is now obvious in a lot of the advertising of other products these days, so why not in holiday ads as well~~

What a great business opportunity for a holiday resort, if they chose to focus on providing holiday experiences for those with various special needs and/or seniors.

In today's economy many of the young/beautiful people [especially if they have kids] can barely keep their heads above water, never mind go on holidays.

Thank you rocketship, good to know that you 'got' the point of my post.
My concern isn't rooted in any lack of facilities for the disabled .......it is based on the fact that no one with an obvious disability appears in a holiday advertisement.

keepingquiet

I haven't had an overseas holiday since before Covid and I'm not even disabled!

I don't even know if my passport is in date...

Me too.

Whatever they do they will annoy someone. I personally dislike the pushy family stuffing themselves in the airport lounge. The sort of people I don’t want to holiday with.

There has been a TV advert featuring a lady in a wheelchair who was planning a foreign holiday - I can’t remember which company it was, so it mustn’t have been very memorable!