Working together to make travel more accessible

At ABTA, we believe that travel should be accessible to all, whether people are travelling for leisure, business or to visit family and friends and it is important that their experience is as smooth as possible. To support this belief, it is crucial that our members have the tools, confidence and clarity to support customers with their assisted travel and accessibility needs. Our new accessible and assisted travel publication, developed with the support of members, people with lived experience and industry partners is designed to do that.

Accessible travel should not be a niche product. One in four people in the UK have a disability or long-term health condition that may affect how they travel, and ABTA’s Holiday Habits research shows that 24% of people say they have a disability, long‑term health condition, mental health difficulty or specific learning difficulty that may affect them when travelling. The travel industry needs to respond with suitable solutions.

For members, the new publication goes far beyond outlining legal obligations and air travel responsibilities. It provides advice and information, and provides practical guidance, giving teams a structured, confident way to deliver an excellent service.  

Early dialogue is central to this. When customers feel comfortable sharing their needs upfront, members can secure appropriate transport, accommodation and assistance, reduce last-minute disruption and build trust that lasts well beyond a single booking. Our new member publication complements our customer guidance and checklist launched earlier this year and is helping people engage more effectively with travel professionals.  

We have also created a new accessible and assisted travel section within the Member Zone on ABTA.com and the new publication is available to download.

ABTA will continue working with government, regulators and partners to improve accessibility across the supply chain. Creating an inclusive travel industry is a shared responsibility – and together, we can make meaningful, measurable progress.

Mark Tanzer Chief Executive, ABTA