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.
Accessible Travel Isn’t Niche Any More: Why the Industry Must Respond Find out more
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.
Accessibility Breakdowns Ruin Holidays Long Before Departure Find out more
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
Why Disabled Travellers Are Still Expected to Be Their Own Accessibility Experts Find out more
Flexible itineraries in accessible travel are becoming an increasingly important part of holiday planning. As the travel industry shifts away from rigid schedules, flexible itineraries for accessible travel are proving to be a better fit for disabled travellers who need time, adaptability and realistic pacing built into their trips.
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.
Accessible travel is seeing a big shift, not just in conversations, but in how destinations and tourism providers are actually
Why 2026 Is Shaping Up to Be a Standout Year for Accessible Travel Find out more
We’re bursting with pride to announce that our Managing Director, Paula Hansen, has been recognised as the Accessible Travel Champion
Our Managing Director Paula Hansen Wins Accessible Travel Champion Award Find out more
World Accessible Holidays Achieves Disability Confident Employer Level 1 Status We’re thrilled to announce that World Accessible Holidays has been
The travel industry continues to fail disabled holidaymakers, with shocking new research revealing it’s 60 times harder to find disability-accessible
Explore how airlines’ requirements for paid medical documentation may unfairly burden disabled travelers.
Packages that include a flight element are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. The ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL certificate, then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. For more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: ATOL.org.uk
