Meet 'accessible travel expert' Tarryn Tomlinson

It's Women Crush Wednesday with Tracey Lange!

This week, Tracey speaks to Tarryn Tomlinson (a leading authority in the field of accessible tourism) about her journey to the top.

Listen below.

Meet Tarryn Tomlinson...

The multi-award-winning Tomlinson regularly features as a headline speaker at tourism events. She is a board member of Cape Town Tourism and an ambassador for the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, she was a travel writer for Mango Airlines inflight magazine where she shared insights into the logistics of accessible travel.

Tomlinson is also a life coach and is part of a non-profit organisation that helps teach kids with disabilities how to manifest positivity and success - we know, what a powerhouse!

Tomlinson's latest title is 'Accessible Travel Expert', which involves visiting hotels around the world, making them more inclusive and ensuring that their services meet industry standards for everyone.

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How did Tomlinson get these titles (and the motivation to succeed)?

Tomlinson was able-bodied until, at the age of 19, she was diagnosed with arthritis so extreme that she required a wheelchair for mobility.

But this drastic life-changing moment did not stop her from achieving great things...

"It never stopped me from pursuing my dreams and going after the things that I want in life - despite the many, many barriers and challenges that are out there. So, for me it's about shining a light on untreaded paths and coming back to tell people that a path has been created."

- Tarryn Tomlinson, Accessible Tourism Expert

Instead, it motivated her to create new paths of accessibility for herself and others with disabilities...

"I couldn't keep turning a blind eye to things that me, as a person with a disability, was facing on a day to day basis in the environments I was in."

- Tarryn Tomlinson, Accessible Tourism Expert

So, how did Tomlinson become an accessible tourism concierge?

Believe it or not, it started with a movie: Under the Tuscan Sun (yes)!

After watching this one, she was inspired to go to Italy for an entire year.

Tomlinson says she was determined "to experience the culture in absolute luxury".

And she came back with a bang...

Tomlinson says while she was soaking up Italy, she met influential people, gave speeches with a Nobel Prize winner and visited spaces where she had incredible opportunities to make headline news which found her writing music with lead Italian musicians.

BUT... on her journey, she "stumbled" across a need in hotels which opened the door for her title as an accessible tourism concierge.

Tomlinson explains that she observed the ins and outs of hotel living during her travels and noticed design faults regarding accessibility.

To aspiring goal-setters, Tomlinson shares some advice for success which starts with your mindset...

"Your mind can affect your circumstances. If I can do it, others can too. Just go out there and don't let anything stop you."