TravelAbility EMS Summit 2023: Exploring the Convergence of Accessibility and Travel
A Pivotal Moment in Accessible Travel
The upcoming TravelAbility Emerging Market Summit, scheduled to be held in Savannah, GA from August 18-20, 2023, signifies a crucial moment for the accessible travel industry. Gathering over 60 presenters across 42 dynamic sessions, the Summit presents a prime opportunity to analyze and discuss the challenges and potential in the fields of accessible travel, disability travel, and disability tourism.
Jake Steinman, founder of TravelAbility, identifies the pressing nature of the issue: “The travel industry is at a crossroads. We have an opportunity to make travel more accessible for everyone, while also making it more inclusive and welcoming. The Summit will bring together a community of thought leaders to change the perception of travelers with disabilities as well as how they will be treated in the future.”
Summit Overview: Probing Trends and Challenges
The Summit’s agenda showcases a commitment to a multifaceted examination of accessible travel. One primary focus will be on Accessible Travel infrastructure, where participants will discuss strategies to access grant funding for inclusive projects. This area is vital for establishing the foundational support needed for long-term advancements in accessibility.
Additionally, the topic of DIY Accessibility Assessments will be explored, with an emphasis on empowering travelers and providers through self-assessment. This hands-on approach includes presenters with mobility, hearing, visual and cognitive disabilities sharing their lived experiences while traveling and the barriers they have to overcome.
The Future of Accessible Travel will also be a significant area of exploration, where industry experts will analyze projections and emerging trends. By examining what lies ahead, the Summit aims to align current practices with future demands, ensuring that the industry is prepared to evolve alongside changing needs.
Sustainable Travel Practices will also be addressed, with examples of how destinations are integrating stewardship practices to maintain and serve the needs of residents as well as visitors. As the world becomes increasingly conscious of its environmental impact, these conversations will help guide the industry towards more responsible and sustainable practices.
Lastly, the summit will tackle The Future of Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DE&I) in Travel. Leaders in the field will brainstorm strategies to foster a more inclusive industry, recognizing that accessibility extends beyond physical considerations to encompass a broader commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
These topics build upon insights gathered from previous TravelAbility Summits, including key takeaways from the 2022 summit. Together, they represent a broad inquiry into the evolving landscape of accessible travel and form a comprehensive and ambitious agenda that reflects the complex and interconnected challenges faced by the industry today.
Is Aging a form of Disability on the Installment Plan?
The economic impact of ignoring accessibility needs is profound. The disability travel market holds significant economic potential: According to the most recent survey by the Harris Poll and Open Doors Organization, travelers with a disability represent a $54 billion market. Meanwhile, the number of travelers with disabilities is expected to triple by 2028 as the tsunami of 77 million baby boomers, 40% of whom, according to Health Today, self-identify as having a disability after they turn 65. They have the time and resources to travel, and represent a surging target market for off-season/shoulder season travelers in the future.
Bridging the Technological Gap: Understanding Travel Experiences of Tourists with Disabilities
A recent research study provides valuable insight into the TravelAbility Summit’s theme of accessible travel. The research aimed to understand how tourists with intellectual disabilities experience travel technologies. The Summit will feature the insights of travelers with different disabilities, one of which is Houston Vandergriff, a highly acclaimed photographer with Down Syndrome, who founded the travel site Downs and Towns , and has over 500,000 followers on TikTok.
This study underscores the necessity of considering not just physical, but also digital and technological inclusivity, a crucial aspect in the broader conversation at the TravelAbility Emerging Market Summit. It offers a reflective glimpse into the challenges faced by tourists with disabilities and emphasizes the importance of co-creating genuinely inclusive travel experiences.
The Rise of TravelAbility: A Response to a Gap
TravelAbility‘s inception was prompted by an identified gap in the market for accessible travel. Unlike conventional market-driven responses, the focus has been on transformation and improvement in accessibility standards.
The approach has been aimed at shifting from mere legal compliance to innovation, empathy, and true inclusivity. Through the TravelAbility EMS Summit and various other initiatives, the effort has been to redefine accessible travel beyond mere adaptations and modifications.
The Future of Accessible Travel: Embracing Technology and AI
As the TravelAbility Emerging Market Summit explores various facets of accessible travel, one area that cannot be overlooked is the transformative potential of technology and artificial intelligence (AI). In an increasingly interconnected and digital world, technology is reshaping the way we approach accessibility in travel.
In the near future, AI-powered systems could revolutionize how travelers with disabilities plan and experience their journeys. From personalized recommendation engines that understand
