Travel industry is 'failing to meet the needs' of disabled holidaymakers

The travel industry is “failing to meet the needs” of disabled holidaymakers, according to research from respite holiday charity Revitalise.

The travel industry needs to take the requirements of disabled holidaymakers more seriously, the charity says because, by 2020, as much as 25% of European tourism spending is expected to come from customers who have accessibility requirements.

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In the UK alone, the potential spending power of disabled people - often referred to as the ‘purple pound’ - has an estimated value of GBP£249bn, and each year British and international visitors in this market spend over GBP£3bn on overnight tourism trips in England alone.  

CEO Chris Simmonds said there is not only a “moral obligation for the travel industry to make itself more accessible to disabled people”, but it also offers “huge market potential as well”.

He added: “Imagine booking a holiday and turning up to the accommodation to find that you are unable to access the bathroom, or that the doors aren’t wide enough for you to fit through. While for many of us the concept is unimaginable, unfortunately, it is very much a reality for disabled people.

“Not only does this lead to a complete lack of confidence in the eyes of disabled consumers, it also means that travel and tourism providers are seriously missing out.”