travel industry

Cover pages of the TravelAbility Accessibility Playbook Destination Module, showing a woman using a rollator walker on a tree-lined path, alongside interior pages featuring business case statistics on disabled traveler spending.

The newest and most comprehensive edition of the Accessibility Playbook is here.

Accessibility is one of tourism’s greatest opportunities. And destinations that invest in it today will be better positioned to meet the needs of tomorrow’s travelers.

More than 1.3 billion people worldwide live with a disability. At the same time, populations are aging rapidly, making accessible experiences an increasingly important part of how travelers choose where to go, what to do, and where to spend their money.

By 2030, all 73 million Baby Boomers in the United States will be 65 or older.

The future of travel is changing. The destinations ready for it will have the advantage.

No single business can make an entire destination accessible, but a destination organization can help lead the way.

Introducing the Fully Reimagined 2026 Accessibility Playbook

Created for destination leaders and the partners who make visitor experiences possible, the 2026 Accessibility Playbook is designed to move accessibility beyond good intentions and into meaningful, measurable action.

Far more than a guide for accessibility, it’s a roadmap for creating better visitor experiences, stronger partnerships, and destinations where more people can participate.

At the center of the Playbook is A11yship: the idea that destination organizations can lead through collaboration, bringing businesses, community leaders, government partners, and other stakeholders together around a shared vision for accessibility.

No single business can make an entire destination accessible, but a destination organization can help lead the way.

What’s New in the 2026 Playbook?

This is our most comprehensive Playbook yet, with entirely new resources designed to help destinations and industry partners put accessibility into practice.

Six New Industry-Specific Sector Guides

Get tailored guidance for the people and places that shape the visitor experience, including:

Airports
Accommodations
Restaurants
Attractions and outdoor experiences
Meetings and conventions
City managers

Vision 2030 Framework

Explore the economic influence, travel potential, and evolving needs of older adults as destinations prepare for a future where accessibility is central to the visitor experience.

The Largest Accessible Traveler Study Yet

New market research from Longwoods International provides the most comprehensive look yet at the American accessible traveler, including market size, spending power, behaviors, and preferences.

The 2026 Accessibility Playbook is here to help destinations seize that opportunity, giving destination leaders everything they need to turn accessibility into action and advantage.

Visitor Experience Strategy

Accessibility doesn’t begin at the entrance and end at checkout.

The Playbook provides tools for thinking through the entire visitor journey, from researching a destination to planning, traveling, experiencing, and returning home.

Content & Marketing Strategies

Know how to communicate accessibility clearly, authentically, and effectively so travelers can make informed decisions about whether an experience will work for them.

Plug & Play Accessibility Catalog

A curated directory connecting destinations with trusted accessibility partners.

Accessibility Is an Opportunity

Designing for people with disabilities doesn’t just benefit people with disabilities.

It creates more intuitive, seamless experiences for families, older adults, multigenerational groups, and travelers with temporary or situational needs. It can increase visitation, encourage longer stays, strengthen destination loyalty, and create greater economic impact.