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The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Travel

Practical Hack from the Accessibility Playbook: Welcoming the Aging Traveler

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The needs of the aging traveler often mirror those of disabled travelers, yet many older adults are less likely to ask for assistance or identify as disabled. This excerpt from the Accessibility Playbook goes over how to welcome the aging traveler. Before moving on, take this 3 question quiz to test your knowledge!

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To better support this growing segment, keep the following principles in mind:

Recognize diverse needs: Consider mobility, hearing, cognitive, and visual changes that may arise with age.

Prioritize respectful communication: Train staff to offer assistance without making assumptions and to recognize signs of anxiety or confusion.

Be transparent about accessibility: Clearly communicate which features are available and use visible signage and intuitive wayfinding.

Offer simple, supportive tools: Ensure digital tools are user-friendly and secure. Provide low-tech options and human assistance for travelers who may hesitate with technology.

Focus on empowerment, not special treatment: Thoughtful, simple accommodations improve satisfaction and strengthen your reputation.

Design for dignity: Move away from one-size-fits-all experiences. Encourage planning ahead, suggest shorter and well-structured itineraries, and promote airport “meet-and-assist” programs.

55% of older travelers are interested in curated travel experiences once they learn about them

The Aging Traveler: Obstacle’s and Solutions

Planning

ObstacleSolution
Unclear accessibility information makes older adults less likely to travel.Provide clear, detailed information about accessibility (steps, elevators, seats, bathrooms).
Uncertainty about airport help deters some from flying altogether.Provide information on the time it takes to travel from check-in to the gate at the airport, as well as the services available.
Uncertainty about refunds makes booking in advance a risk.Provide cost comparisons across platforms and clear, easily accessible cancellation/refund policies.
App-centric booking can be a barrier for older adults who prefer websites.Provide user-friendly interfaces with simple navigation and clear instructions on where to click and book.
Aversion to technology due to concerns about scams and data breaches.Provide education about online safety, clear fraud safeguards, and phone support.
Challenges using online platforms to book transportation and activities.Develop and promote curated travel experiences tailored to their preferences and needs.
Difficulty finding hotels that match specific needs and preferences.Provide enhanced search and filter options (pet-friendly, ground-floor room, grab bars in bathrooms).

94% of older travelers who have used AI for travel planning have found it useful.


Flying

ObstacleSolution
Difficulty getting through security (33%)Improved workforce: provide special TSA lines and allow more time (60%).
Difficulty getting from parking to the airport (33%) or to the gate (32%)Greater access to wheelchairs/motorized carts (52%).
Difficulty understanding announcements (21% among the 65% with hearing loss)Provide designated assistance desks where travelers can check for updated information and receive personalized help.
Difficulty waiting to board at the gate (15%)Offer check-in assistance (43%).

It’s hard for us to fly without precheck – it’s tiring to take off shoes and unpack bags. We’ve forgotten our suitcases after the hassle of putting our shoes back on.

Hotels

ObstacleSolution
Difficulty handling luggage (36%)Offer assistance (44%).
Difficulty entering the establishment (18%)Ensure step-free entry and automatic doors; offer porter assistance.
Difficulty getting in and out of the bathroom (17%)Install grab bars, walk-in showers, and non-slip flooring in accessible rooms.
Difficulty bathing (20%)Provide special rooms with accessible bathrooms and safety features (47%).
General discomfort due to age-related sensitivitiesOffer early check-in and room features that prioritize comfort such as ergonomic bedding and adjustable climate control.
Gaps in staff preparedness to accommodate older travelersTrain staff on how to identify and support guests who require accommodations (36%).

The biggest challenge is comfort. As we’ve aged, our bodies are less tolerant of discomfort and the resulting aches and pains. It can really ruin your travel

Community News

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New Wheel the World verifications, accessibility awards, and TravelAbility partners highlighted as they lead the way in welcoming through accessibility

Practical Hacks From the Accessibility Playbook

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Seven years in the making, the Travelability Accessibility Playbook, created in partnership with Destinations International, is an end-to-end toolkit to equip destination organizations on their accessibility journey, enabling them to better welcome and accommodate people with disabilities within their destination. 

Sample Survey for Destination Stakeholders and Hotels

You’d like to include accessibility information on your website, but you’re overwhelmed with where to begin. You can’t possibly visit each site on your own, and you simply don’t have the task force to call in backup. 

The easiest way to get started is with a simple Google Form survey. Rather than asking partners to label themselves as “accessible” or not—language that can create unnecessary anxiety—focus on clear, direct questions. The examples below are tailored to each type of partner to help you gather the details needed to build a strong accessibility landing page. Because the questions are specific and straightforward, partners are more likely to respond and it will be easier for them to provide useful information.

General Questions: 

• Do you have a dedicated and detailed accessibility page on your website?  

• Are people with disabilities included in your marketing materials?  

• Does your website meet web accessibility standards?  

For attractions and tour experiences:  

• Do you have quieter times that people with disabilities may visit?  

• Do you have multiple ways to purchase restaurants? 

• Are your staff trained on guest evacuation requirements in case of emergency? 

• Do you offer vibrating alarm clocks w/ flashing lights on loan? 

Dining: 

• Are your food menus available in large print versions?  

• Does your restaurant offer “quiet spaces” for guests who have auditory or neurocognitive disabilities?  

• Do you offer reading glasses, flashlight or magnifying glass if needed?

A SAMPLE SURVEY FOR ACCESSIBLE HOTEL ROOMS 

Hotel Name: 

Please provide a link to the description of your accessible room on your website:

About Your Beds in Accessible Rooms 

• What is the bed height from floor to top of the mattress? 

• Is the bed height adjustable? 

• Are there bed raisers available upon request to adjust bed heights? 

• What is the height of the space from the floor to the bottom of the bed frame? 

About Your Bathroom in Accessible Rooms 

• What is the height from the floor to the toilet seat? 

• How many grab bars are there around the toilet? 

• What is the height of the grab bars from the floor? 

• Is there a raised toilet seat available upon request? 

• Is there a roll-in shower? 

• How wide is the doorway entrance to the bathroom? 

Bonus Questions: About Your Pool 

• Does your hotel have a pool? 

• Does your hotel have a pool lift?

@PhoenyxTravels’ Accessible Guide to Blowing Rock, NC

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Amputee traveler, accessibility advocate, and expert travel blogger – Phoenyx is on a mission to make the world more accessible by empowering travelers of all abilities to explore with confidence! As a social media micro influencer and standout blogger, she inspires over 900 travelers each month.

This recent travel guide showcases Blowing Rock, NC with real tips, mountain views, accessible trails, good eats, and chill vibes.

Read the full article here.

The Future of Inclusive Travel Takes Center Stage at TravelAbility Summit 2025

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The 2025 TravelAbility Summit in Sunriver, Oregon, marked a true turning point for inclusive travel through record attendance, powerful storytelling, and partnerships that prove accessibility is shaping the future of tourism.

Nearly 200 industry leaders, from DMOs and hotels to tech innovators and disability advocates, came together under the theme “The Future of Inclusive Travel.” Ideas flowed, connections sparked, and the message was clear: accessibility is the heart of good hospitality.

“One of the most gratifying things to me is that the conference has added a moral dimension to the travel industry, creating purpose in attendees as they learn how to make a real difference in the world,” said Jake Steinman, Founder and CEO of TravelAbility. “This is what drives change. The next step is leadership buy-in, and the Longwoods study we presented gives the data to back the purpose. By partnering with AARP, we’re bridging today’s disability travel with tomorrow’s aging market.”

New This Year: Film Fest, Influencer Project, and More

This year’s Summit unveiled a series of firsts designed to keep accessibility at the forefront of tourism growth:

  • The TravelAbility Film Fest premiered during the event, celebrating powerful, real-world storytelling that builds empathy and understanding through the lens of accessible travel.
  • The Influencer Project paired destinations with disability creators to tell authentic accessibility stories and reach new audiences hungry for representation.

Partnerships in Action

This wasn’t a summit centered on talking, we were serious about doing.

Destinations took big steps – from partnering with Wheel the World to commit to accessibility verification and transparency, to moving forward with the Accessibility Playbook or connecting with innovators to transform spaces.

“This community is ENGAGED, we’re PASSIONATE, and we have a SOLID PLAN,” said Robert Harris, Manager of Global Accessibility at Royal Caribbean Group. “I came away with so much energy and so many ideas—now, to put them to work in a sequential, developmental, and sustainable way.”

Panels featuring disabled travelers grounded the discussions in lived experience, turning data into empathy and empathy into strategy.

Looking Ahead

As we wrap a record-breaking year, TravelAbility’s mission is clearer than ever: to educate, empower, and connect the industry so every traveler feels welcome.

Next year, we’ll take the momentum to Tampa, Florida, on November 9-11th, 2026 where we’ll continue helping host cities become models of accessibility.

“Our goal is to help future host cities become examples of what’s possible,” said Steinman. “We’ll help them implement plug-and-play innovations to create destinations truly worth celebrating.”