Responsible Travel urges companies to back accessible trips

Tourism and accessibility experts are backing Responsible Travel’s call for companies to do more to help travellers with access needs and provide better information.

Responsible Travel said accessible travel is a “mainstream market”, as research shows two in five (41%) UK adults travel with access or health needs in mind.

The findings from YouGov research – commissioned by Responsible Travel – show 23% of adults with access or health considerations say travel-related stress and lack of confidence limit their holiday choice, compared to one in seven (14%) of all UK adults.

Only finances – cost of living (46%) and cost of holidays (50%) – are bigger barriers.

Responsible Travel is now urging travel companies and destinations to plug the “information vacuum” to counter a “confidence crisis” and drive accessible tourism sales.

The survey of more than 2,000 UK adults is the first of an annual study about accessible adventure travel, and compares travel habits and experiences of people with and without health and accessibility needs. 

Justin Francis, Responsible Travel co-founder and executive chair, said the findings are “striking”, adding: “I hope this research will help drive progress – each year it should challenge us all to think bigger and listen better to individual needs.”