SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Following specialized training in February, Visit Santa Cruz County (VSCC) staff are now Certified Autism Travel Professionals –through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).  IBCCES also manages AutismTravel.com, a complimentary online resource that lists certified destinations and additional resources for families.  While a certified organization must have at least 80 percent of their staff undergo autism training and certification, all members of the VSCC staff chose to participate in a series of training modules and tests in order to broaden the scope of how the organization is embracing various sectors of the travel market.

According to a survey by Autism Travel, 87 percent of autistic families don't take vacations due to the sensory overload involved in travel – including loud noises, dietary changes and a disruption in routine.  These stressors can cause discomfort and outbursts if not compassionately managed and addressed.

“This staff certification illustrates the commitment of Visit Santa Cruz County to the autism community and is an important first step for other tourism-related businesses within our industry to mirror as we move forward to be better equipped to interact with neurodiverse people across different settings,” said Terence Concannon, CEO of Visit Santa Cruz County.

Visit Santa Cruz County is in the process of expanding the amenities of its year-around visitor center - located at 303 Water Street in Santa Cruz - including the addition of fidget toys and plush toys to enhance a low-sensory area for the benefit of neurodivergent visitors. Combined with staff accreditation, these changes will transform the visitor center into a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC).

Other California destinations with autism-forward initiatives include Visit Visalia, which is a Certified Autism Destination, and Visit Greater Palm Springs, which became a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) in 2022.

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Getting There:   

Located along the Central Coast, Santa Cruz County, California, is approximately 70 miles/113 km south of San Francisco and 349 miles/562 km from Los Angeles. Many visitors choose to take scenic Highway 1 along the California coastline to Santa Cruz or Highway 17 through the Santa Cruz Mountains. Visitors can also choose to fly into San Francisco International Airport or San Jose Mineta International Airport.   

Press Contact:  

Christina Glynn, Director of Communications  

Visit Santa Cruz County   

Phone:  +1.831.429.7281 ext. 112.  

Email:  cglynn@santacruz.org.  

Mail:  303 Water Street, #100, Santa Cruz, CA  95060  

About VSCC: A private, non-profit corporation, Visit Santa Cruz County (VSCC) exists to enhance tourism and the economy by positioning Santa Cruz County as a visitor, conference, and film destination. For more information, contact VSCC at +1.831.425.1234 or visit VSCC’s website at SantaCruz.org.