It has been estimated that around one in seven people in the UK is neurodivergent, a term describing a brain that functions and processes information differently from people who are neurotypical. Neurodiversity spans a range of conditions, including autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD.

Tui has given neuro-inclusive training to more than 2,500 of its customer-facing employees in the UK and Ireland. This is part of the tour operator’s wider aim to make holidays more inclusive for neurodivergent customers. For example, the company has worked alongside neurodiversity experts to ensure its kids’ clubs are places where all children feel safe and supported.

“We’re training our teams, adapting our spaces and embedding inclusive practices that will make a real difference to families travelling with neurodivergent children,” says Tui UK and Ireland managing director Neil Swanson.

“In addition to this, the introduction of sensory rooms at our Tui Blue hotels in Cyprus and Ibiza has proven popular with guests of all ages – and this is just the beginning.”

Hays Travel agents in Northern Ireland last year raised more than £18,000 for Autism NI. Sorcha Mathews, the charity’s corporate fundraising manager, says the funding supported the ongoing needs of 35,000 people with autism in Northern Ireland. She adds: “In particular, Hays Travel directly funded free autism support courses for parents and provided hundreds of early-intervention sessions for families. The support has also funded the Autism NI helpline service, which supports more than 8,000 people a year.”