In the U.S., 1 in 4 adults lives with a disability – part of over 1.3 billion people globally – yet most travel brands still fall short of meaningfully serving them, even as travelers with disabilities take 27 million trips and spend $59 billion annually in the U.S. alone.
To help change that, SPARK teamed up with Visit Lauderdale and Tripadvisor to launch the Accessible Travel Hub – the first major global platform dedicated to travelers with disabilities. Hosted on Tripadvisor, the hub features curated guides, traveler reviews, and planning tools for mobility, sensory needs, and neurodivergent travel, plus inclusive itineraries and local tips from Visit Lauderdale.
Unlike compliance-only resources, it prioritizes real traveler insights and practical details this audience actually uses to plan. “This partnership brings together community insights, real traveler stories, and local expertise to empower more people to travel with confidence. It’s a powerful step forward in making accessibility the standard in every travel journey.” said Steven Paganelli, Global VP of Media & Partnerships at Tripadvisor.
What travelers will find on the Tripadvior Accessible Travel Hub:
- A centralized content experience focused on accessible travel.
- Tailored editorial guides for mobility users, neurodivergent travelers, and families with accessibility needs.
- Accessible itineraries spotlighting inclusive experiences including those across Greater Fort Lauderdale.
- Peer-informed recommendations grounded in traveler feedback and real reviews.
- Actionable travel planning guidance that covers common gaps, including step-free access, sensory supports, and adaptive rentals.
- Visual storytelling that reflects the lived experience of traveling with a disability.
According to Tripadvisor and MMGY research, 96% of travelers with mobility disabilities have experienced accommodation problems. 86% report flight challenges, and 79% have encountered issues with local transportation. Despite this, travelers with disabilities take more trips and spend more per trip than the average leisure traveler. The takeaway is clear: the demand is there. The support systems are not.
“This community shouldn’t be looked at as a niche group, but a core market. What has been missing are the tools, the access points, and the storytelling that help people plan and feel seen. This initiative is our way of starting to change that.”,” added Dulani Porter, Executive Vice President and Partner at SPARK.
Designed for long-term scalability, the Accessible Travel Hub offers a new model other destinations and platforms can adopt in hopes of inspiring the whole travel industry to show up better for one of its most loyal, influential, and underserved audiences.
