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Breaking Barriers: Accessibility for All in Business Travel

At GBTA, we believe accessibility is a right, not a privilege. This year, we’re releasing our free Accessibility Toolkit in 8 additional languages so you can embed accessible plans, practices, and solutions into your corporate travel policies and help make equitable business travel a reality. 

Beyond the Itinerary: Accessibility Challenges 

Imagine preparing for a business trip and having to ask: Will I be able to reach the overhead bin? Will the sidewalks at my destination have wheelchair-accessible ramps? Will assistive technology devices be allowed in the conference center? For thousands of business travelers, these aren’t minor concerns; they’re prerequisites to even stepping out the door. Surprisingly, over 70% of travel managers currently lack a plan to assist travelers with accessibility needs, according to Accesio data. 

Travelers with accessibility requirements are far from a niche group. A significant 39% of business travelers report a disability, whether temporary, permanent, invisible, situational, or hidden. To keep our global markets interconnected and effective, it’s crucial for travel managers to implement policies that make business travel seamless and successful for everyone. 

More Than a Moral Imperative: The Business Case for Accessibility 

Accessibility isn’t just about doing the right thing; it has tangible benefits. Beyond the moral imperative, there are legal implications to consider, as well as the potential for expanded market reach, an enhanced corporate image, and increased employee satisfaction. Busy travel managers need clear guidance on understanding and addressing travelers’ accessibility requirements. The truth is, when we make the global travel industry more accessible, we all win. 

Introducing the GBTA Accessibility Toolkit 

This year, our Accessibility for All campaign aims to drastically reduce the number of unprepared travel managers by providing real-world insights and techniques. Available 24/7 in nine languages, the GBTA Accessibility Toolkit offers techniques, best practices, and solutions for developing and implementing accessibility protocols wherever you work. We envision a future where accessibility isn’t a privilege, it’s a right. 

Designed for travel managers, suppliers, and stakeholders, our toolkit eliminates the guesswork from policy design and implementation, helping your teams meet or exceed global accessibility standards. It’s divided into seven easy-to-read modules: 

  • Module 1: The Importance of Accessibility in Business Travel  
  • Module 2: The Journey: Traveler Accessibility Challenges  
  • Module 3: Getting Started and Stakeholder Management  
  • Module 4: Accessible Travel Program Management and Traveler Communications  
  • Module 5: Supplier Engagement: Accommodation, Transport, and Events  
  • Module 6: Roadblocks in Accessibility at the Point of Sale   

Together, We can Build a Future of Equitable Business Travel 

Accessibility is a foundational element for fair and equitable business travel. In tandem with our sponsor, Amadeus, we believe every mile traveled should do good. Emmanuelle Casado, Global Sustainability Solutions Senior Manager at Amadeus, commented: “At Amadeus, accessibility is part of our ambition to make travel better for everyone. Supporting the GBTA Foundation’s ‘Accessibility for All’ initiative reflects our commitment to making the travel experience easier and more enjoyable for everyone, through developing, offering and promoting more accessible technology. This toolkit is more than a resource — it’s a catalyst for change across the travel industry.”

Our toolkit, available right now in nine languages including French, Portuguese, Chinese, German, and Italian, makes it easy to make a difference for thousands of business travelers. 

Join GBTA today in making the global business travel industry a leading light in inclusive, safe, and accessible travel for all. We hope you’ll invite your friends and colleagues to do the same. 

Click here to access the Accessibility Toolkit Now.