Many of the world’s 650 million people with disabilities are travellers with special needs. For them, simple tasks can be challenging, from checking in luggage to getting on and off planes. For more than 10 years, boutique German travel agency Weitsprung GmbH has organised guided tours around the world for individuals with reduced mobility – from those in wheelchairs to blind people accompanied by their guide dogs.

“We started this business because we know people who want to travel to exotic places, but cannot do so on their own,” says Birgit Glöckner, who, alongside Martin Smik, runs Weitsprung, which means ‘giant leap’, from the German university town of Marburg.

Weitsprung provides transport and assistance with wheelchairs, medication and hygiene. To improve its offer as much as possible, the firm constantly searches for accessible facilities, which can be time-consuming and costly.

In 2008, Weitsprung went along to a networking event organised by HA Hessen Agentur GmbH at the ITB Berlin international travel trade fair. As one of Enterprise Europe Network’s 600 member organisations in 50 countries, HA Hessen Agentur helps SMEs to trade abroad and grow their businesses.

“Networking events like this are a great way for entrepreneurs to encounter vital new contacts in a very short time,” says Network consultant Tanja Göb.

For Weitsprung, a meeting with Greek hotel company P.A.P. Corp. SA – a client of the Network based at the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece -- yielded fast results.

P.A.P.’s Alexander the Great Beach Hotel on Greece’s northern Halkidiki peninsula is equipped with handicapped bathrooms and a lift down to the beach. It is the first Greek hotel to take part in the European Commission’s ‘Happy Tourist’ programme promoting equal opportunities in tourism for disabled people.

In September 2008, Weitsprung booked its first group stay there and the partnership has continued to grow. “It’s a wonderful stay with heavenly views and great food,” says Weitpsprung co-founder Birgit Glöckner. “Thanks to the Network for this opportunity.”