Across three thought-provoking sessions, industry experts, accessibility consultants, and individuals with lived experiences of disability discussed what accessible travel means in 2024.
Based on the sessions held between April and June 2024, the Spanish Tourist Office has compiled this Accessibility Findings Report to highlight key challenges and discussion points surrounding accessible travel and outline a roadmap towards a more inclusive travel sector.
The sessions were moderated by Angus Drummond, a UK accessibility consultant and CEO of Limitless Travel, with additional input from Ade Adepitan, an ambassador for ‘Spain for All’, and IMPULSA IGUALDAD, a Spanish non-profit organisation dedicated to representing individuals with disabilities and accessibility requirements, including the standardisation of tourism practices.
Manuel Butler, Director of the Spanish Tourist Office (UK), says
“We are proud to share the Spanish Tourist Office’s Accessibility Findings Report as the culmination of our work on accessibility over the last six months. Our aim is for this report to serve as a launching point for destinations or private travel companies seeking to initiate their accessibility journey.
“At the Spanish Tourist Office, we believe everyone has a right to experience travel, and we are committed to reducing discrimination and improving accessibility within our travel sector. The spending power of people with disabilities in the UK is estimated at £274 billion, and we aim to gain a deeper understanding of and cater to the needs of this important consumer demographic.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Angus Drummond, Ade Adepitan, the team at Impulsa Igualdad, and every member of our advisory board panel that contributed to the creation of this report. We look forward to the continuation of this initiative to create further dialogue between Spain and the United Kingdom around accessible travel and further our understanding around the challenges travellers with accessibility needs may face, and the opportunities to improve.”
Key pillars of the report include:
1. Defining accessibility & ensuring inclusivity
It’s crucial not to default to wheelchair users when talking about accessibility
2. Closing the Information Gap
There is an information gap on accessible travel for both consumers and businesses
3. Collaboration and Consultation
Accessible travel is a complex topic, and destinations and organisations should not feel they need to adapt alone; collaboration is key.
4. Data
Accessibility adaptations should be data-driven, supported by insights from those with lived experiences of disability, with integrated feedback loops.
5. Adapting the customer journey
The entire customer journey should be adapted to accommodate for consumers with accessibility needs from the research and booking process all the way through to end-of-service.
The report concludes the first chapter of ‘Spain for All’, a campaign aimed at better understanding the needs of British holidaymakers with accessibility requirements. The campaign is underpinned by an ongoing commitment to improving accessibility, eliminating discrimination, and improving diversity within the travel sector.
The campaign also included a consumer survey to better understand Spain’s position as an accessible destination for British travelers.
Advisory Panel Members:
Leave a Comment