The origins & mission of TABANAA
TABANAA (meaning embrace in Arabic) is a travel experience, inspiration platform and thriving community that connects people. TABANAA was born out of a shared desire to make travel accessible to people with care needs, connecting guests, accommodations and partners. Hilde Bosmans (healthcare real estate expert), Geert Wets (professor at Hasselt University specializing in mobility and spin-offs) and Peter Geurden (hospitality expert), together laid the foundation. The team behind TABANAA has in-depth experience in the care and hospitality industry, allowing them to understand both the unique needs of both guests and accommodations.
TABANAA aims to make tourism more inclusive, contributing to a more inclusive society. As many as 1.3 billion people worldwide experience (invisible) disability (WHO, 2023), in addition to their families who are also impacted. TABANAA recognizes the importance of this community and is committed to making travel possible for everyone, regardless of their unique care needs.
For whom.
TABANAA is committed to serving travelers with specific care needs as well as accommodations and organizations in the tourism and knowledge sectors. We focus on different groups, with clear support for each.
We support individual travelers, including people with disabilities, seniors, and families with care-dependent members. Our goal is to make their travel experiences as accessible, safe and comfortable as possible through adapted facilities and inclusive services.
We unburden accommodation operators by helping them prepare to host travelers with diverse care needs. This includes adapting facilities, offering accessibility advice and developing hospitality services that meet the expectations of these travelers.
We work with local governments and tourism organizations that want to make their destinations more accessible. This may involve developing accessible routes, adapting public facilities or promoting inclusive tourism in the region.
TABANAA works with a variety of advocacy organizations, healthcare facilities and civil society organizations committed to inclusion and accessibility. Together, we strive to make tourism accessible to everyone, regardless of their care needs.
Together, this is how we ensure inclusive tourism, where everyone has the opportunity to travel carefree.
The Care Butler.
At your service.
Always one direct contact for all your questions. If you have opted for this, after your request, our care butler will contact you and make sure everything goes smoothly: from your online booking and arrival to arranging qualified care staff.
Telephone contact.
The care butler service will contact you by phone within 2 days of booking to discuss the necessary arrangements.
Extra helping hand.
If needed, qualified care staff and auxiliary equipment will be provided.
Detailed briefing.
You will receive a vacation plan, the accommodation where you are staying will receive a hotel briefing, and the nursing staff (and/or other care partners) will receive a care briefing.
FAQ: I'm going on a trip and I'm taking....
The care butler is intended for situations when you need extra care on site. You only pay for the care butler if you check this service when making your reservation. So for simple information, you do not need to use the care butler and no extra charge will be made.
Please note that cancellation insurance is a separate option that you must select at the time of booking.
TABANAA acts as a facilitator. So if you need support in finding the right contact person, you can always reach out to us for help. Be sure to have the vacation plan handy so you can quickly find the right contact information for the service you want to customize.
