Disability travel business a ‘perfect match’ for new owner Sandie Grant.
When Occupational Therapist and Disability Tour Operator Marina Hanger wanted to sell her business, she picked the perfect replacement right off her own family tree.
Ability Adventures is a disability travel company, specialising in inclusive travel holidays and accessible tourism for seniors and travellers with disabilities.
Marina came up with the idea of Ability Adventures in 2008 after planning guided trips for clients with disabilities in her OT role at the time. She saw the potential for doing this as a business and a way to combine these skills, along with her love of sharing New Zealand’s natural wonders and attractions with people.
Marina built it from the ground up, using her tourism and OT experience to provide personalised itineraries and private tours throughout New Zealand where one or more person has a physical or learning disability, is a slow walker or simply may need that bit of extra support along the way.
When Marina first looked at selling the business, the first person she thought of approaching with the opportunity was her cousin, Sandie Grant.
Sandie shares the same combined skillset that Ability Adventures was founded on. Although 14 years apart in age, both Marina and Sandie pursued careers as Occupational Therapists and both gained experience organising and running tours.
“Sandie took a bit of time to mull over the idea” confides Marina, “but I knew she had the skills and the values to carry it on into the future.”
Ability Adventures has truly been a passion project for Marina. “I’ve poured my heart into it and nurtured it all these years, so I guess it’s kind of like my baby. I couldn’t have trusted just anyone with it.”
Sandie admits she wasn’t looking to buy a business when her cousin first floated the idea, but the more she thought about it, the more she realised she was ready for a new challenge.
“I was happy in the work I had at the time,” she admits. “But the idea stayed with me, and I realised it was an opportunity that was too good to miss.”
Sandie is the same age now as Marina was when she set up the business, so the time is right.
“My kids have nearly all grown up and moved out,” says Sandie, “whilst Marina’s are having babies, so she is getting busy again with family.”
Aside from also being an Occupational Therapist, Sandie had been using her own extensive knowledge of New Zealand to put together tour itineraries for friends for years.
Sandie has already taken a few tours with Marina to help out.
“Marina’s created this incredible business,’ says Sandie. “She’s working and engaging with people in a holiday setting. Taking it over hasn’t been hard – all these amazing people have a keen interest in visiting New Zealand, I love applying what I know to help make the seemingly impossible holiday completely possible.”
Sandie calls it the ultimate OT job. “It really feels like a lifestyle job. OTs are the world’s best problem solvers. But instead of just solving problems to make a client’s life better, you’re applying your skills in amazing locations so it’s always with a positive focus.”
The business sees a range of clients including families, accessible travel groups, plus individuals and quite a few couples, too. Most are people who come from living in cities and are interested in getting out in the open spaces with hardly anyone about, but need help navigating the pitfalls that come with being a person travelling with a disability. Right from the start, Marina was determined to make the New Zealand road trip a reality for anyone.
Sandie took over the running of Ability Adventures in April 2024. Now that she’s made the jump officially, she is excited to combine her own passion for New Zealand with her Occupational Therapy qualifications, and her previous tour guiding experience.
“Planning a holiday is stressful for anyone. When someone has an impairment or disability, there’s even more to consider, so having help from a trusted qualified tour provider can be even more important. The barriers of finding places with accessible bathrooms or hiring equipment or managing dietary requirements – all in a different country – if we can take that away, it makes it possible.”
When Sandie talks about Ability Adventures, it’s clear from the fire in her eyes that she also shares Marina’s passion to make a difference that first ignited the idea 16 years ago.
“It’s not solving a problem, it’s enabling an amazing travel adventure.”