Accessibility champion

“Travel Oregon” has slowly become synonymous with “inclusive travel.” This past spring, no one was surprised when Travel Oregon won Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Award for their efforts in becoming the first Accessibility Verified State. 

So it won’t be a shock that Travel Oregon also took first place in ESTO’s All Ways Welcome Award. The category recognizes a marketing campaign or destination-led initiative that advances inclusivity and accessibility in destination marketing and makes travel more welcoming for underrepresented or historically excluded audiences. 

Kevin Wright, the Vice President of Global Marketing for Travel Oregon has been featured as a TravelAbility Accessibility Champion for the way he’s brought attention to accessibility and transformed the atmosphere across Oregon. His personal journey began with a family soccer game that almost went terribly wrong, before discovering the sensory kit and well trained staff at guest services who saved the day.

Start. You don’t need to have all the answers or a perfect accessibility strategy before you begin.

Kevin Wright, VP of Global Marketing for Travel Oregon

The impact has grown well beyond one leader. DMOs across the state are embracing accessibility with an enthusiasm that is increasingly hard to ignore. 

When asked what advice he’d give destinations who may be inspired and want to follow his lead, Kevin’s answer was simple: “Start. You don’t need to have all the answers or a perfect accessibility strategy before you begin. Start by listening to travelers with disabilities, invite them into the process, find partners who can help you understand where the barriers are, and then take meaningful action. At Travel Oregon, we’ve learned that accessibility isn’t a project with a finish line—it’s an ongoing commitment to making travel more welcoming for everyone. The most important thing is to begin, learn along the way, and keep moving forward.”

Becoming Accessibility Verified is only the visible evidence of a team that’s willing to do whatever it takes to welcome all. 

Now that is surprising. 

Hats off to Travel Oregon on a job well done, an attitude that is contagious, and initiatives that are leading the industry forward.