Advocacy

Recent research commissioned by travel brands and accessibility experts shows that 41% of UK adults travel with access or health needs, a group significantly larger than most assume. Many want cultural and nature-based holidays, but poor information and lack of confidence still reduce their choices.

When accessible travel goes wrong, the problem often starts long before a traveller reaches their destination. In many cases, holidays are effectively ruined at the planning or departure stage due to breakdowns in accessibility processes.

Despite years of progress, disabled travellers are still being asked to do far more work than non-disabled travellers just to go on holiday. From checking measurements to chasing confirmations and explaining needs repeatedly, the expectation remains that accessibility is something the traveller must manage themselves.

This is one of the least discussed but most persistent problems in accessible travel.

The hidden workload behind every accessible holiday

We are seeing a growing number of cases where hotels refusing to allow essential medical equipment into guest rooms, usually citing “health and safety” concerns. A recent example involved Roca Nivaria Gran Hotel in Tenerife, where we were advised that an electric profiling bed and an electric hoist would not be permitted. For many disabled travellers, this type of equipment is not optional.

Explore how airlines’ requirements for paid medical documentation may unfairly burden disabled travelers.