Accessible Hospitality Alliance (aha) is delighted to welcome Holistic Thinking Holidays into its growing operator membership.
Claire and Steve Welsh, Holistic Thinking Holidays
Holistic Thinking Holidays was founded with a mission to transform holiday experiences for people with disabilities and complex mobility challenges. Holistic Thinking Holidays properties are designed and equipped to meet a wide range of accessibility needs, offering holiday homes with specialist equipment, at affordable prices on holiday parks across England and Wales, ensuring families can travel and stay, comfortable in the knowledge that the accommodation is equipped to meet the needs of all the guests.
At the heart of the venture are Claire and Steve Welsh. Claire brings more than 30 years of expertise as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, alongside experience as an Expert Witness and Case Manager. Over decades, she has seen first-hand the barriers families with extraordinary disability challenges face when booking a break. Determined to change this, Claire developed the vision for Holistic Thinking Holidays, while her husband Steve, who retired from a successful career in electronic manufacturing, joined her to manage operations in 2021.
Together, they now oversee a portfolio of twelve accessible holiday homes, stretching from Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north to Newquay in the south, giving families choice and freedom across the country. All of their accommodation is fitted with ceiling hosts, which currently equates to approximately 20% of the provision for the whole of the UK.
The couple attended the inaugural aha Forum, where they connected with like-minded hospitality operators and built relationships that have since developed into productive collaborations. Commenting on the event and the meetings that followed Claire and Steve told us: “It was an absolute pleasure to share a few hours with such an inspiring group of individuals who are all so focussed and dedicated to the cause of improving accessibility in all areas of hospitality. We have already formed some fantastic connections who are helping us with the challenges we face within our own sector and are confident that these collaborations and continued discussion at future aha events, will help to provide a truly inclusive hospitality industry across the whole of the UK. We are proud to be part of this determined and inspirational group of change-makers”.
Among those they met was Robin Sheppard, President of Bespoke Hotels and co-founder of aha. Reflecting on the encounter, Sheppard said: “It was great to spend some time with Claire and Steve and share our experience in operating accessible accommodation. I am now delighted to see Holistic Thinking Holidays joining our operator membership scheme, ensuring they are part of our future aha Forums going forward. Sharing knowledge and experience is vital in providing accessible accommodation as we can all learn from each other and accelerate progress.”
Accessible Hospitality Alliance Membership is open to hospitality and catering operators who share aha’s purpose: a hospitality world that welcomes everyone. Each member business appoints an Access Champion and receives two guaranteed places at every biannual aha Forum. With demand for aha Forum tickets high, places are limited, underlining the value of joining a movement committed to making accessibility a foundation, not an afterthought, in hospitality.
