Tui launches British Sign Language service

British holiday operator Tui is now offering British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation to its customers.

The company believes it is the first in the UK tourism industry to do so.

Users of BSL, including deaf people, can sign up for free to SignLive and call via the online directory to have their telephone conversations with Tui Accessibility teams interpreted in real-time.

Sue Bradley, Tui Director of Customer Experience, said the move comes in a bid to make travelling ‘as easy as possible’ for everyone.

She said: “This service means that these customers can have conversations with our team to ensure they book the perfect holiday for them and get any additional support they might need.

“Customers can speak to our contact centre team about new or existing bookings all by signing up to SignLive for free for support with hotel information, navigating airports or booking accessible transfers in resort.”

Fiona Mackay, Chief Operating Officer of SignLive, added: “This partnership makes communication smoother and the overall experience of going on holiday much easier for BSL users.

“Customers can travel with confidence knowing they can communicate via an interpreter throughout their journey.”

In the latest issue of ITIJ, Becky Hart, Communications Specialist at Seven Corners, discussed how companies can make travel truly accessible for all.