A Government grant will help a Sidmouth company pave the way for accessibility in the transportation industry.

The Virtual Tour Experts have been selected to receive funding to improve their already cutting-edge technology.

The company offers next-generation virtual tours around resorts, universities, airports, stations and more, to relieve travel anxiety and improve accessibility for those with disabilities. The company has already been successful in gaining a grant for the Future of Air Mobility scheme and has been shortlisted with seven other companies for Bristol Temple Meads Station Innovation Zone project.

Founder of The Virtual Tour Experts, Neil Henderson, said: “The hope is that this model in the aviation industry will be applied to airports around the world. We already have proven experience in the rail industry so we will also apply this new technology to the rail sector. We hope to make major transportation hubs more accessible for visitors with disabilities and to reduce anxiety for anyone planning travel.”

The company is already proven in the rail industry, having already created over 40 virtual tours for Greater Anglia, West Midlands railway and East Midlands railway stations. Key elements of the virtual tours show accessible toilets, ramps, taxi ranks, parking, ticket machines and more to make sure a journey can be planned is meticulously as needed.

The company is now expanding into different industries, with clients expanding to aquariums, yachts, resorts and more. Neil Henderson said: “We are starting to receive inquiries from very big names as the news of our technology spreads. This grant truly takes our business to new heights. We will enhance our technology to break into the aviation industry but also apply the technology to other industries and reach more users with accessibility needs. One major feature includes the addition of a neurodivergent virtual tour which will namely aid users with autism. Our goal is to help make the world more accessible and this is just the start of our larger effort to make this dream a reality.”