The hidden accessibility crisis in travel

Travelling abroad can already feel overwhelming with remembering passports, packing essentials, and navigating unfamiliar places. For neurodivergent (e.g., autistic) and disabled people, however, the challenges are far greater, often turning what should be an exciting trip into a stressful experience. As one of the UK’s leading travel providers, TUI commissioned research to better understand these barriers and improve the experience for all travellers.

New research highlights the scale of the issue; one in three people report difficulties when travelling, either personally or on behalf of someone they’re with due to neurodivergence or disability. This insight is helping TUI shape more inclusive travel experiences, from booking to boarding. Nearly a third (32%) have even avoided travelling to certain destinations altogether because of accessibility concerns. Two in three believe it’s simply ‘expected’ that disabled travellers will face barriers along the way.

The most common obstacles include a lack of sensory-friendly spaces, inaccessible booking systems, poorly designed facilities, and limited wheelchair access. Long waits at airports, inadequate support from airline and hotel staff, and unsuitable lifts also add to the frustrations many travellers encounter.

Aston spoke to Marina Snellenberg, accessibility manager at TUI and Yasmin Johal.

Photo by Sai Kiran Anagani on Unsplash