Friday, December 15, 2023
To commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, TravelAbility, a prominent conference and media company dedicated to enhancing travel experiences for individuals with disabilities and the elderly, has forged a strategic alliance with Destinations International. Destinations International, the world’s largest and most trusted resource for destination organizations and tourism boards, aims to bolster accessibility and inclusivity within the travel industry through this partnership.
This collaboration offers Destinations International’s extensive membership base, comprising over 700 organizations, exclusive access to TravelAbility’s wealth of expertise, networking opportunities, and content aimed at creating more hospitable destinations for individuals with diverse abilities. Furthermore, TravelAbility will extend its support to Destinations International in identifying potential speakers and assistive technology entrepreneurs who can showcase innovative solutions for enhancing accessibility within the travel sector during their InnovateAble pitch event.
In addition to these initiatives, Destinations International will actively promote “The Accessibility Playbook,” a comprehensive guide designed to assist destinations and travel businesses in enhancing their accessibility and inclusion initiatives for travelers with disabilities. This Playbook includes an array of resources, including over 100 videos, PowerPoint presentations, and a curated list of “TravelAbility Trusted” innovations, amenities, and third-party assessment providers. By sharing these resources with industry partners, Destinations International aims to promote the widespread adoption of accessibility improvements.
Jake Steinman, the founder and CEO of TravelAbility, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the positive impact it will have on the travel industry’s accessibility. He stated, “TravelAbility is thrilled to collaborate with Destinations International to advance accessibility in the travel sector. This partnership is mutually beneficial for both organizations and, more importantly, for the millions of travelers who stand to benefit from more inclusive and accessible travel experiences. What excites me most is that, through this partnership, we will have the opportunity to share the knowledge and insights we’ve accumulated over the past five years, ultimately aiding over 700 destinations worldwide in becoming more inclusive.”
Don Welsh, the president and CEO of Destinations International, emphasized the importance of accessibility in their social inclusion strategy and expressed optimism about working with TravelAbility as their official accessibility advisor. He remarked, “Accessibility is a pivotal aspect of our social inclusion strategy, and we eagerly anticipate collaborating with TravelAbility as our designated accessibility advisor. They possess the expertise, network, and dedication necessary to assist our 700+ members in creating more inclusive destinations for all travelers.”
The Accessibility Playbook is slated for online availability on the Destinations International website in 2024.
Monday, January 1, 2024
