London, 28 November: New research shows that disabled tourists are paying £242 more than non-disabled customers for travel insurance cover to go on holiday, a significant premium compared to those without disabilities.

The findings come at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is placing undue pressure on those with disabilities, who already face significant additional costs in their day-to-day lives.

The research also looked at the other barriers disabled tourists face whilst travelling, including time inequity, digital accessibility, a lack of disabled representation, lack of inclusive design, and lack of knowledge of disability and how to meet the needs of customers with disabilities.

Two in five disabled people face stressful and unsafe situations when travelling due to lack of accessibility. One fifth of disabled people reported feeling unsafe and scared when travelling and one in ten were not able to access a toilet.

As a consequence, feelings of embarrassment, isolation and being disregarded were also felt by a quarter of the respondents that were surveyed, and nearly a quarter (23%) felt ignored.

The Valuable 500 is the largest global collective of CEOs committed to disability inclusion. High profile members include Expedia, Airbnb, Heathrow Airport, and British Airways.

The business collective has produced a 7-point manifesto that each travel industry provider should abide by to ensure best practice. Please register interest to sign up: [email protected]

The full report is available here: UK Key Findings 2022 Report

This research adds to a burgeoning list of discriminations that people with disabilities face day in, day out. When a hotel, restaurant or transport provider is inaccessible you’re leaving a proportion of business on the table. The global spending power of people with disabilities is estimated to be $13 trillion annually, so the business case for the travel industry to put accessibility first, and not as an afterthought is absolutely imperative. This can be rectified by putting disabled staff and consumers at the heart of the travel business.

Caroline Casey, Founder, the Valuable 500

Travel strengthens connections and broadens horizons, yet historic, physical and societal barriers often limit equitable access to travel. Disability is a natural part of the human condition. Everyone should have the right to travel, no matter their ability. Expedia Group is committed to creating a more open world and lessening equity gaps. By collaborating with our vast network of partners on resources like our Lodging Accessibility Guide, we are able to share best practices and work together towards a collective goal to ensure travellers with disabilities are valued and included.

Kathy Martinez, VP for Global Disability Inclusion, Expedia

Media Contacts

Ryan Curtis-Johnson, Director of Communications, the Valuable 500

Lara Prince, Seven Hills

Notes to Editor

Research is based on a sample of 1,000 UK based disabled travellers conducted via Opinium, from 29th August – 10th September 2022.

About the Valuable 500

The Valuable 500 was launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in January 2019. Today the Valuable 500 is the largest community of Global CEOs committed to disability inclusion in business.

Since its creation, the Valuable 500 has achieved its initial goal of getting 500 multinational organisations to make a public commitment to disability inclusion in their organisation, igniting a historic global movement for a new age of diversity in business. The Valuable 500 and their global impact partner The Nippon Foundation, will be working closely with the World Economic Forum and International Disability Alliance – bringing together a leading philanthropic organisation with the most prestigious global business network and the voice of the global disability community.

By engaging with the world’s most influential business leaders and brands, the network now has a market cap of over $23 trillion, combined revenues of over $8 trillion and employs a staggering 22 million people worldwide. Its members include 15 global CEOs and companies who will be spearheading the programmes and services to be offered under Phase 2 of the transformation programme.

The Valuable 500 is determined to create a community that supports and empowers its 500 members to systematically transform their businesses, so they include the 1.3 billion people living with disabilities worldwide, thereby unlocking their business, social and economic potential.

We believe that if business takes a lead, society and government will follow. Truly inclusive businesses can build truly inclusive societies.