Destinations International and TravelAbility Launch Updated and Expanded “Accessibility Playbook”

A comprehensive end-to-end toolkit to help destinations advance accessibility for travelers of all abilities

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA (July 10, 2025) – Destinations International (DI), the world’s leading association representing destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), and TravelAbility, the leading conference and media company dedicated to accessible travel, today announced the release of an updated and expanded edition of the Accessibility Playbook.

First introduced in 2023, the Accessibility Playbook has been significantly enhanced for 2025 to serve as a robust resource for destination organizations and their industry partners. This comprehensive toolkit now includes curated resources, technology and service provider recommendations, actionable strategies, and an accompanying AI companion to help destinations move from awareness to implementation, in serving travelers with disabilities and the aging population.

“Accessibility is a critical and growing focus for our members,” said Don Welsh, president & CEO of Destinations International. “The expanded Playbook reflects our continued commitment to supporting our members and partners in building welcoming communities for all. We’re delighted to have TravelAbility as our trusted partner in developing this invaluable resource to help destination organizations and travel businesses worldwide advance accessibility in their local communities.”

Tailored specifically for the travel and tourism sector, the Playbook is designed to position destination organizations as accessibility subject matter experts. It is applicable for use at city, regional, state/provincial and national levels, and serves as a powerful resource to align efforts and foster an ecosystem of impact. 

“This year’s refresh of the Accessibility Playbook delivers what the industry has been asking for: practical steps, vetted tools and real-world success stories,” said Jake Steinman, founder & CEO of TravelAbility. “We’re proud to provide a one-stop resource that destination organizations can use – and share – to raise the accessibility standards for visitors and residents alike, helping destinations move from compliance to a competitive edge.”

Key features of the updated 2025 Accessibility Playbook include:

•    AI Companion, powered by UnchainedAI, to implement accessibility strategies cross-functionally 
•    Updated research on market size and traveler needs
•    Deep dives into the experiences of aging and disabled travelers
•    Case studies and best practices from across the United States, Canada and internationally
•    Innovations and assistive technologies curated for real-world use
•    Detailed guidance on building the business case for accessibility
•    Strategic tools for communications, digital design and the visitor experience

Testimonials underscore the Playbook’s value:

“I was just startled by how incredibly comprehensive the Playbook is.”
— Adam Burke, CEO, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board

“We would’ve had to charge $500,000 to build something like this from scratch.”
— Jason Hackett, McKinsey & Company

“Sharing the Playbook with our partners raises accessibility standards for both residents and visitors.”
— Santiago Corrada, CEO, Visit Tampa

“This is the most comprehensive document that exists, and we share it with all our DMOs.”
— Kevin Wright, VP Marketing, Travel Oregon

“At first I thought the price was high, but then I realized it would take us years to develop something like this.”
— Paul Kelly, Chief Executive, Fáilte Ireland

For more information or to purchase the 2025 Accessibility Playbook, contact Sophia Hyder Hock, Chief Impact Officer, Destinations International, at [email protected], or Jake Steinman, founder & CEO of TravelAbility, at [email protected].

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About Destinations International
Destinations International is the world’s largest and most trusted resource for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 7,000 members and partners from over 750 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.

About TravelAbility
TravelAbility provides thought leadership in accessible travel to improve the lives of people at ALL abilities and ALL ages and aims to inspire and educate the travel industry to provide accessible experiences to help people with disabilities enjoy travel as much as everyone else. For more information, visit www.travelability.net.