PRESS RELEASE: Sensory holiday experiences and personal style advice at Home is the latest innovation from a tourism business that traditionally supports blind and low vision travellers.
Cocky Guides have launched two new products in a range of At Home experiences for their community of travellers. The first is an experience delivered from Hahndorf, Australia’s favourite Germanic Village in the Adelaide Hills. The second is a virtual consultation with a personal stylist to help navigate the world of fashion.
“The past twelve months, Cocky Guides have presented many famous Australian destinations to over 300 blind and low vision travellers. We’ve been fortunate to work with amazing tourism businesses to create unique sensory adventures for our travellers. Our new product range is evolving to maintain a connection and sense of community with our travellers, travel partners and trip leaders during COVID-19 and beyond” said the founder of Cocky Guides, James McFarlane.
“Like most tour operators, we’re doing our bit by temporarily ceasing tour operations. This break has enabled us to focus on creating exciting new experiences tailored for Australians with sight loss. Hahndorf from Home is great for blind and low vision Australians to meet our partners from a destination we visit. We have also taken our first step into the world of fashion. Travellers told us they wanted a fun and easy way to shop for fashion.” said the founder of Cocky Guides, James McFarlane.
Sharon Pippos, the owner and operator of Hahndorf Walking Tours, loves working with Cocky Guides.
“It’s great to develop tailored experiences that deliver a destination in a way that works for the traveller. My first group of travellers with Cocky Guides were a fun group of independent women and their guide dogs. It was important to create a hands-on experience around town and share stories of local pioneering women. So I answered the call to create Hahndorf from Home, with unique sensory elements and entertaining stories,” Sharon said.
Kellie Hayes, an experienced personal stylist, who loves travel and also leads trips for Cocky Guides, was ideally positioned to steer the team into the world of fashion.
“I was drawn to Cocky Guides to share my passion for travel and learn how to deliver destinations differently. It didn’t take long to realise that my other passion for fashion, style and shopping wasn’t an enjoyable experience for our travellers with sight loss. Drawing on my extensive personal shopping and styling background, both in Australia and internationally, I have encouraged Cocky Guides to offer personal styling,” Kellie said.
Cocky Guides run regular sensory group adventures and now offer personal stylists and experiences delivered to your Home. For more information phone 1300 657 640 or visit cockyguides.com.au
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CONTACT
For further information: please contact James (Buck) McFarlane at [email protected] or call 0403 827 666
ABOUT COCKY GUIDES
Since launching in August 2018, Cocky Guides have specialised in providing unique, multi-sensory adventures for the blind and low-vision community. Cocky Guides has been recognised as an outstanding new tourism business, nominated as finalists in the prestigious 2019 NSW Tourism Awards.
Guide Dogs Australia estimate there are over 450,000 Australians who are blind or have low vision. Cocky Guides aim to be the leading support provider for adventure and travel, designed to increase independence, social and community participation for blind and low vision Australians.
For more information visit www.cockyguides.com.au
