Accessibility Playbook

Destinations that prioritize accessibility today will be better positioned to meet the needs of tomorrow's travelers. More than 1.3 billion people worldwide live with a disability, and as populations age, accessible experiences are becoming an increasingly important driver of destination choice. By 2030, all 73 million Baby Boomers in the United States will be age 65 or older, marking a historic shift in the travel market.

Accessibility is an experience strategy that advances welcoming and responsible tourism. Designing for the disability community creates more intuitive and seamless experiences that benefit every market segment. By investing in accessibility, destinations strengthen their competitive advantage and position themselves as places of choice, leading to longer stays, increased visitation, and greater economic impact.  

The Role of Destination Organizations

Creating a truly accessible destination requires collaboration across the entire visitor economy.  Destination organizations are uniquely positioned to convene businesses, community leaders, and government partners around a common vision for accessibility and the outcomes it creates. This is A11yship: leading through collaboration to remove barriers, strengthen the visitor experience and create places where everyone belongs.  

A Playbook Built for Destination Leaders

The Accessibility Playbook is a practical guide centered on the real visitor experience. It provides the strategies and tools destinations need to align partners, inspire action, and create more seamless, welcoming experiences for all.  

The fully reimagined 2026 edition is the most comprehensive yet, featuring six all-new, in-depth sector guides for industry-specific stakeholders. Combined with the latest research, actionable frameworks, and real-world examples, the Playbook moves beyond theory to help destinations and industry partners turn accessibility into meaningful, measurable progress.

New additions expand the Playbook's impact:

• Industry-Specific Sector Guides – Tailored guidance across airports, accommodations, restaurants, attractions and outdoor experiences, meetings and conventions, and for city managers.
• Vision 2030 Framework – Understanding the economic influence, travel potential, and evolving needs of older adults as destinations prepare for a future where accessibility is central to the visitor experience.  
• Longwoods International Market Research Data – The largest and most comprehensive study of the American accessible traveler ever conducted, delivering fresh data on the size, spending power, behaviors, and preferences.
• Visitor Experience Strategy – Tools to design seamless, welcoming moments across the entire traveler journey, from initial research to final departure and beyond.  
• Content & Marketing Strategies – Guidance for communicating accessibility authentically and effectively.
• Plug & Play Accessibility Catalog – A curated directory connecting destinations with trusted accessibility partners.

Together, these additions give destination leaders everything they need to turn accessibility into action and advantage.