Ms. Thuy is the founder of the Vietnam Accessible Tourism organization. With nearly 20 years of experience in the tourism industry across various regions of Vietnam, she began her career in operations and later moved into product development. She believes that product development should convey unique stories to be shared with customers.
Ms. Thuy has had a disability in one leg since childhood due to a severe illness. While working in product development in the tourism industry, she frequently received requests from travel consultants for disability-friendly travel programs. This prompted her to further explore Accessible Tourism in Vietnam. In 2016, along with a group of friends, she created a comprehensive database of information on travel services that are accessible to people with disabilities, including hotels, restaurants, and attractions. This resource has proven to be extremely valuable for travel consultants, allowing them to design tailored programs for this specific segment of customers.
Being the Founder of the Vietnam Accessible Tourism Organization, Ms. Thuy is actively involved in training and communication initiatives. She believes that when services and destinations prioritize accessibility for everyone, more people with disabilities will have the opportunity to enjoy these locations. Consequently, accessible tourism has the potential to become a valuable niche market. This is particularly relevant considering the rapidly aging populations both in Vietnam and worldwide, with nearly 30% of the global population expected to be over 65 years old by 2030.
Soon, she hopes to establish a more structured and comprehensive accessible tourism information portal and provide tailored training programs for companies in the industry. Her ultimate goal is for Vietnam to become a welcoming and accessible destination for everyone.
