How to tackle the travel sector’s accessibility problem

Everyone deserves to experience the wonders of travel, yet accessibility barriers continue to prevent swathes of travellers from enjoying their holidays. Disabled tourists are burdened with an ever-growing checklist of considerations when planning a trip – from step-free access and walking distances, to crowding levels, rest spaces, noise, lighting, inaccessible toilets, slope gradients, among others. 

The Transport Committee’s report found that the transport industry is treating disabled people as ‘second-class citizens’. The report describes incidents of wheelchair users being left stranded on trains or having their wheelchairs damaged by airside crew, and travellers with assistance dogs being refused taxi services. It also highlights that individuals with non-visible disabilities, such as autism, dementia, and severe anxiety, face significant challenges due to limited understanding of their needs by tourism operators. This is troubling considering that 70-80% of people with disabilities have non-visible impairments, making up approximately 10 million people in the UK. It was reported this year that 5.8 million Britons have a mental health problem classified as a disability – a two million increase from 2018-2019 levels. 

With 1.3 billion people worldwide experiencing significant disability – including a quarter of the British population – the travel and tourism sector is failing billions of people. 

How destination organisations can show up for disabled travellers 

While there is much work to be done, many destinations are making strides in accessible tourism, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future. Barcelona Tourism has remained dedicated to accessibility through innovations such as NaviLens. This app enables blind and visually impaired people to access information that allows them to use public transport independently. These technologies are especially important as 45% of disabled people feel they cannot travel spontaneously due to the need for extensive planning. With accessible tools like NaviLens, this process becomes much more efficient, making travelling not just possible, but enjoyable. 

Beyond transportation, disabled travellers often face barriers to enjoying cultural and tourist experiences. However, Amsterdam is leading by example. Indeed, the Van Gogh Museum offers guided tours in sign language for deaf or hard of hearing visitors, while the Rijksmuseum ensures wheelchair access with lifts to every floor, step-free pathways, and ramps throughout. Additionally, visitors who require assistance can bring a companion free of charge, and mobility aids are readily available. By prioritising inclusive design, Amsterdam has emerged as a leader in accessible travel. 

Furthermore, Dublin’s WayFinding Centre plays a vital role in making transport accessible for all. By providing practical training and opportunities to explore all aspects of transport in a safe environment, this one-of-a-kind facility provides training and education to disabled people, those who support them, policymakers, and governments. In so doing, the centre ensures that equity and inclusion remain at the forefront of any transport development agenda. Investing in such facilities empower disabled travellers to navigate transportation services independently and with ease.

The travel and tourism sector is also improving accessibility by investing in social impact assessment tools. These measure a destination’s social inclusion practices, identify opportunities for growth, and prioritise actionable strategies. Destinations International’s Social Impact Assessment tool is one such example. 

Accessible travel is a holistic endeavour that uplifts the entire community 

There are numerous ways destinations can prioritise accessibility and enhance the travel experience for disabled visitors. From fully accessible public transport to inclusive museum experiences, destinations must create an environment where disabled travellers can enjoy every aspect of their journey with ease and dignity. As a result, destination organisations can not only enrich the lives of tourists, but residents with disabilities too. 

More inclusive spaces and experiences mean greater opportunities for everyone, fostering a more connected and thriving community. By embracing a holistic approach to accessibility, destinations can foster a welcoming tourism ecosystem – one that builds community trust, enhances wellbeing, and drives economic growth. Through these efforts, destinations can become vibrant places where everyone feels a true sense of belonging.