TravelAbility

In “The Inclusive Travel Revolution,” Business anthropologist, Jonathan J Kaufman shares why accessible travel is now leading the Longevity Economy. As populations age and mobility and sensory needs become more common, the line between “accessible travel” and “mainstream travel” is disappearing. The opportunity is massive. With a global economic footprint exceeding $45 trillion, travelers with disabilities and older adults represent one of the most powerful consumer groups. And thanks to the multiplier effect, one accessible experience often brings an entire group along with it. Destinations that prioritize inclusive design, from physical infrastructure to digital tools, are meeting the needs of one of the most powerful consumer demographics in history. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/gwcvjCW7 #TravelAbility #TravelAbilityInsider #AccessibleTravel #InclusiveTourism #LongevityEconomy #AccessibilityMatters #TravelForAll #DestinationMarketing #TourismLeadership #DisabilityInclusion Image Description: Illustrated graphic with the headline “Through a Broader Lens: Insights” above a business figure rising with upward arrows and coins. Text reads “The Inclusive Travel Revolution: Why the Disability and Longevity Economy is the Next Big Frontier.”

There's just three days left to save $300 on the 2026 TravelAbility Summit. Early bird pricing ends May 1. Accessibility is the new differentiator. By 2030, all 73 million Baby Boomers in the United States will be 65+, reshaping how travel is planned, booked, and experienced. We call this the Accessibility Moonshot. Are you ready for a future where 80% of travelers are impacted by disability? Join a network of changemakers turning this reality into action, testing ideas, solving real problems, and building what comes next. Register now to join the Accessibility Moonshot: https://lnkd.in/gmxb66BD #AccessibleTravel #TravelInnovation #FutureOfTravel #HospitalityIndustry #DestinationMarketing #InclusiveTravel #DisabilityInclusion #TravelLeaders #TravelAbilitySummit #tampameetings Image Description: Promotional graphic for the 2026 TravelAbility Summit. Large headline: ‘Last chance to save $300—Early Bird registration ends May 1.’ Event details: ‘2026 TravelAbility Summit, November 9–11, 2026 | Hilton Tampa Downtown.’ Subhead: ‘Join us in Tampa.’ Background shows the Tampa skyline at golden hour reflected on the water. Bottom banner includes the TravelAbility Tampa 2026 logo with the tagline ‘The Power of Accessible Travel,’ event dates and ‘Tampa, Florida,’ plus small images: a group of friends, including a person using a wheelchair, enjoying an outdoor meal, and people paddleboarding on the water.

Have you read April’s TravelAbility Insider yet? This month, explore why the disability and longevity economy is the next big frontier with business anthropologist Jonathan J Kaufman, and catch up on the State of Accessible Travel in our TravelAbility Summit 7.0 recap. For Autism Acceptance Month, Pete Wharmby breaks down 8 myths that may change how you think about autism. You can also discover My Brother Otto by Meg Raby Klinghoffer in our new “One for the Books” feature. Get inspired by Destination A11y Club activities, including Experience Kissimmee’s pool safety initiative and Choose Lansing’s walkable tourism activation with AARP. Plus, hear directly from lived experiences: Carrie-Ann Lightley shares what disabled travelers really want, and Emily Davison takes you along on her accessible trip to Antwerp. Read it all: https://lnkd.in/gT-sAFEF #TravelAbilityInsider #AccessibleTravel #InclusiveTourism #TravelForAll #DisabilityInclusion #AccessibilityInTravel Image description: Promotional graphic for the April 2026 TravelAbility Insider. The newsletter is displayed on a smartphone, tablet, and laptop. The TravelAbility Insider logo appears at the top, with the website listed at the bottom on a blue background with green and gold accents.

We’re proud to continue expanding accessibility across North Alabama! ♿🚀 Today, we donated 23 wheelchairs and two pairs of Meta Smart Glasses to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center through grant funding from Alabama's Mountains, Rivers and Valleys RC&D. These new resources will help make one of Alabama’s most visited attractions even more welcoming and accessible for visitors with mobility challenges and disabilities. At Alabama Mountain Lakes, creating inclusive travel experiences remains a priority as we work to ensure everyone can enjoy the incredible attractions North Alabama has to offer. 💙 Learn more about accessible travel in North Alabama: accessiblenorthal.com #VisitNorthAL #AccessibleTravel #AccessibleFriendlyDestination

When entering a public restroom, how many surfaces do you touch? For most people the answer to this is probably “as little as possible.” For many blind travelers, however, navigating a public restroom can mean touching multiple surfaces just to figure out the layout. It is an experience most sighted visitors never have to think about. Accessibility consultant Tom Babinszki, founder of Even Grounds, set out to change that. His solution uses 3D printed tactile maps that allow blind and low vision visitors to understand the layout of a restroom before entering. By exploring a raised model placed beside the restroom sign, travelers can learn where sinks, soap dispensers, and flush buttons are located without trial and error. It is a simple idea with a powerful impact. Access to understanding a space should never depend on sight. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g6YjKuWn. #TravelAbility #TravelAbilityInsider #AccessibleTravel #AccessibilityMatters #BlindTravel #LowVision #UniversalDesign #TactileMaps #AccessibleDestinations #TravelForAll #Innovation Image Description: A tactile restroom map with raised 3D features and braille sits next to a men’s bathroom sign with a wheelchair symbol, alongside text that reads "Tactile Restroom Maps: Even Grounds Uses 3D Models to Improve Accessibility"

Meet Learners and Makers, a worldschooling family of four exploring the world full time while sharing tips for traveling with mobility disabilities. Jodie St. Clair, an above knee amputee who uses a prosthetic leg, travels alongside her husband Anthony and their two children, showing families that accessible adventures are possible with the right information and mindset. In their latest journey, the family explored six accessible natural destinations in North Alabama (Visit North Alabama), including Cathedral Caverns State Park, DeSoto State Park, Huntsville Botanical Garden, and Lake Guntersville. From paved cave paths and electric vehicle tour options to scenic boardwalk trails, these experiences highlight how thoughtful design can make outdoor spaces more welcoming for everyone. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/gi7wZ77V. #TravelAbility #TravelAbilityInsider #AccessibleTravel #NorthAlabama #DisabilityInclusion #AccessibleNature #AccessibleDestinations #FamilyTravel Visit North Alabama Image Description: “Lived Experience: Learn Through the Real Travels of Disabled Content Creators with Learners and Makers.” A person in a yellow dress stands on a riverside boardwalk, smiling and holding a cane; calm river and autumn hills behind.

Red carpets and world premieres have long symbolized glamour, influence, and access. But the real question is access for whom? Take2Film, a new venture from Julie Sisk, Founder and President of The American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, is reimagining film festival travel with accessibility built in from the start. They offers curated experiences at major festivals like Cannes, Venice, and London while prioritizing inclusive planning for travelers of all abilities. That means step free lodging options, accessible transportation, advance venue planning, and personalized support based on individual needs. Working alongside accessibility experts at TravelAbility, the team is gathering the details that matter, from bed heights and flooring types to accommodations for Deaf and blind travelers. Take2Film is proving that world class cultural experiences can be both prestigious and inclusive, opening the door for more travelers to engage with cinema, storytelling, and global culture in ways that feel welcoming and accessible. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/ggjWcwhT. #TravelAbility #TravelAbilityInsider #AccessibleTravel #FilmFestival #CannesFilmFestival #CulturalTravel #DisabilityInclusion #TravelForAll #AccessibleExperiences #InclusiveTravel Image Description: A logo for Take 2 Film appears above text “Roll Camera on Access: Take2Film Introduces Accessibility to the World’s Top Film Festivals”

Accessible luxury is not a niche. It is one of the fastest growing opportunities in travel. At the 2025 TravelAbility Summit, Karen Morales of Fora Travel shared how accessibility and luxury travel intersect and why destinations and suppliers should pay attention. After training more than 300 travel advisors on accessible travel, FORA helped generate approximately $75 million in accessible travel bookings in just one year. The key insight is simple. Accessibility is a major growth opportunity. Get take-aways from this session and read the full summary at: https://lnkd.in/gszRZjvE Early Bird registration for the 2026 TravelAbility Summit available now through May 1st. Register today to get more insights like this in person: https://lnkd.in/gmxb66BD #TravelAbility #TravelAbilitySummit #TravelAbilityInsider #AccessibleTravel #LuxuryTravel #TravelIndustry Image Description: Two conference panelists in power wheelchairs; the front panelist smiles while speaking into a microphone. Cover text: ‘Capturing the Accessible Luxury Market—How One Agent Booked $75 Million in Travel,’ March 2026, TravelAbility Insider.

What does it actually mean to “leave no attendee behind”? The Meeting Magazine dives into this question and why accessibility should be built into meetings and events. With insights from our CEO and Founder, Jake Steinman, as well as Arturo Gaona, John Sage, and Leslie Walker, CHSP, CATP, this is a comprehensive breakdown of the business case for accessibility. Read why at: https://lnkd.in/gnXFQ3iY #TravelAbility #TravelAbilityInsider #AccessibleTravel #AccessibleEvents #DestinationMarketing #AccessibleMeetings #TourismLeadership #TravelIndustry Image Description: An audience, including attendees using wheelchairs, listens to a panel discussion in a conference room, with text about building accessibility into meetings and events.