Trends

Now in its 4th edition, The Disability Travel Marketing Study 2020, produced by Open Doors Organization (ODO) and The Harris Poll, is the only nationwide survey of the travel patterns and expenditures of American adult travelers with disabilities. The 2020 Study benchmarks the 2018-19 period when this market segment reached new heights and includes the following highlights.

11 key findings from the 2020 ODO Market Study that can help build a business case for accessible travel

1. 70% of have taken at least at least one trip — (37% outside US–28% in 2015)
2. 84% Stayed in paid accommodations (hotels/home rentals (76% in 2015) 
3. 55%: took at least one trip by air. (43% in 2015)
4. The median age of disabled adult traveler: 62 (57 in 2015)
5. Travel spend: $57 billion on their own travel ($34bn in 2015)
6. Travel with companion: 69% Average party size: 2.9
7. Travel with organized group 5% (2% in 2015)
8. Rented a car or van: 40% (26% in 2015)
9. Post Covid: 91% plan to travel once restrictions are lifted; 10% will travel immediately
10. Requests for wheelchair assistance at U.S. airports has increased 17% YoY since 2015
11. U.S. Regions traveled in past 5 years: West: 45%, Midwest: 20%, East: 32%, South: 57%.

The full 78 page report also includes insights about:

• Trip Planning: How booked travel
• Resources to research travel
• Top in-destination activities
• Breakdown of disability type
• Top barriers they face at each step of the travel experience.

Our Takeaways:

• The center of the disabled traveler audience is a senior citizen who is 62 years old (47% are retired and 57% have aged into a mild or moderately severe disability.)
• Compared to the 2015 report, disabled travelers traveled more frequently and spent 68% more than the earlier study and 2017 was a breakthrough year for air travel as request for wheelchair assistance skyrocketed 30% from 2016-2017
• The most popular region for travel has been the South, where 57% of survey respondents traveled during the past five years.

A copy of the full report is included FREE with each $695 VIP registration to the 2021 TravelAbility Summit. To register, or for more information, click here. The complete 78-page report may be purchased from Open Doors Organization for $560.

Disability charity Leonard Cheshire and Expedia Group, one of the world’s largest online travel agencies, joined to produce the “Breaking Down Barriers to Travel” report. The report provides a roadmap for the travel industry to be more inclusive – with four recommendations for achieving that goal:

• Design experiences (such as using an airport or hotel) to be barrier-free
• Make all information clear
• Provide inclusive customer service
• Include disabled people in design and decision-making

The report shares a number of case studies to reveal how travel providers have approached the challenge of creating accessible travel products and services.

Michael Davis Velasco, Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at Expedia Group, said “We know that travel isn’t always easy, but by sharing insights and best practices believe that together with our partner and peers, we have the opportunity and responsibility to create frictionless travel for people with disabilities.”

To read the full report, click here (PDF).