Laurent and Martin talk about the evolution of the concept of accessibility into the broader goal of inclusiveness. Martin discusses his work in Australia with the State of Victoria and how progressive policies can make an actual difference in the life of people with disabilities.

Following a 20-year career at Lonely Planet, Martin continues to be at the forefront of the inclusiveness movement, both through his chairmanship of the IDEAS organization, his work with SCIP, the Spinal Cord Injury Network of Professional, and in his role as member of the state of Victoria Disability Advisory Council.

Martin speaks at travel conferences around the world and is one of the most preeminent voices advocating for the global communities of people with disabilities.

Laurent chats with Natalia Vindas, the lead operator of the accessible travel company il Viaggio Travel in Costa Rica. The country's commitments to biodiversity and ecotourism are well known.

As Natalia explains, equating accessibility with sustainability adds another dimension to the attraction of Costa Rica as an accessible destination.

As a wheelchair user herself and a champion on the national adaptive surfing team, Natalia brings a unique point of view and passion to her work. She talks about the current challenges and the prospects for reopening the country in early August.

Laurent in discussion with Christel Stejlborg, the CEO of HandiTours in Copenhagen, Denmark about the current state of affairs for accessible travel in Scandinavia in the era of the Covid19 pandemic and the forecast for the future.

Prior to founding Handitours, Christel worked as a healthcare professional for many years thus bringing a unique perspective to leading a successful accessible travel company in Scandinavia.

With the start of the pandemic, Christel volunteered to work at a hospital treating Covid19 patients during the day, returning home at the end of the day to run the travel company.

This interview is a little different. Punsri Abeywickrema is not an accessible travel professional per se. Rather, Punsri is a serial Silicon-Valley internet entrepreneur whose latest company, Cloud of Goods, grew to become one of a lead providers of mobility equipment to travelers across the USA.

He brings a unique perspective to the business development of a service company dedicated to serving the needs of wheelchair users.

Punsri was visiting his family Sri Lanka when the pandemic started. He is still there and describes how well the island nation has coped with the crisis. They also discuss what the actors in the global tourism industry need to do to address the future challenges of accessible travel.

Laurent in discussion with Veroniek Maat, the founder of Accessible Travel Netherlands, one of the most successful and respected accessible travel companies in the country.

Veroniek is also extremely proactive in promoting accessible travel and disability rights through her involvement with a network of like-minded companies and organizations.

They discuss the challenges of re-opening the country to incoming tourism from other European nations. Veroniek describes how the new norms for social distancing and safety measures are impacting the travel experience of the country.

Laurent chats with Emiliano Parrilli the founder and manager of Turismo Acessivel in Rio de Janeiro. Turismo acessivel is a leading accessible travel company in the region with destinations in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay.

With the size of the county and its diverse population, Brazil presents its own set of challenges for incoming and out-going accessible tourism. Emililiano talks about how he navigates these complex issues.

The company recently added Portugal and will start to offer trips to the USA in collaboration with Tapooz Travel as soon as it is safe to do so. They discuss the challenges for accessible travel in the region during the pandemic and the unique opportunities for the post Covid-19 era.

Laurent in discussion with Marie-Odile Vincent in Paris. One of the best known voices of accessible travel in France and beyond, Marie-Odile talks about the challenges of living in Paris as a wheelchair-user during the pandemic as well as her personal and professional views for the future.

Apart from her work as an accessible travel consultant, Marie-Odile is a champion of accessibility rights. When she is not traveling to the four corners of the world, she gives interviews, writes articles and participates in TV programs.

Tapooz Travel organized a memorable adventure in the Southwest of the USA for her and a companion a few years ago.

Laurent chats with Stefano Sghinolfi, the co-founder and General Manager of the Rome and Italy Group, one of the most successful tourism companies in the region.

The company is known for its experience and ability to organize customized and thematic trips to all the major destinations in Italy and beyond. Using their own vehicles and mobility equipment, they provide the full array of accessible travel services.

With the official re-opening of the country to tourism, Stefano talks about the challenges and the opportunities for accessible travel. He speaks with first-hand knowledge about how some regions have been impacted as well as the incentives for travel to others.

Laurent chats with Ingrid Roelofs, the fouder and manager of VZ Travel in Emmen (Holland). The company specializes in outgoing accessible travel throughout Europe and beyond for its Dutch travelers, with a focus on leisure and relaxation.

Ingrid, coming from a medical background, has developed a great travel model to address the demands of her elderly guests, many with more demanding physical limitations. Matching a traveler with a health-care trained traveling companion is only one element of her success.

As Europe reopens for tourism, Ingrid is already selling out trips to selected destinations with a meticulous attention to the safety and well-being of her travelers and her accompanying staff.

Laurent and Shannon Kelly (Tapooz Social Media Manager) in discussion with Julie Jones in Sydney/Australia. Julie is the founder of the website “Have wheelchair will travel” as well as the creator and Editor of the great magazine “Travel Without Limits”.

Being a true accessible travel expert in Australia as well as a parent of child with mobility limitations, Julie talks with experience and authority about the safety precautions one should take during future travel and about the 'travel bubble' between Australia and New Zealand.

Bonnie has worked for more than 35 years advocating for, and educating about access to outdoor recreation and tourism for people with disabilities. Her extensive experience as a wheelchair rider combined with her professional experience as a recreation therapist and travel agent has provided her with in-depth knowledge about inclusive tourism and outdoor recreation.

She was the founder and director of Access Northern California and acting now as a Program Manager at BORP, the Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program.

She is also one of the founders of AXIS Dance Company, an internationally renowned physically integrated contemporary dance company based in Oakland, CA.

Laurent in discussion with Jose Bourdain, who co-founded with Susana Cruz the company Tourism For All in Portugal.

While running one of the most successful accessible travel companies in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula and its off-shore islands, Jose and Susana also operate healthcare facilities in Portugal, specializing in disability and mobility care.

To help addressing the impact of Covid19 pandemic, two of these facilities are currently operating as second-line hospitals. As a travel professional, healthcare provider and businessman, Jose offers a unique perspective of the future for tourism in the region.

In the interview, Jose talks about his approach to ensure the safety of his staff and his guests, as well as his forecast for accessible tourism in the region.