A new study puts the market for US travelers with disabilities at $17.3 billion a year, according to non-profit Open Doors Organization (ODO).
The nationwide 2015 Market Study, carried out by Mandala Research, LLC for ODO, suggests this figure is actually at least double as travelers with disabilities tend to make trips with at least on other companion.
"This new data shows that the disability travel market has a greater impact than ever on the industry and the broader economy. In the past two years alone, more than 26 million adults with disabilities traveled for pleasure or business, taking 73 million trips," said ODO director Eric Lipp.
The extensive report, which looked at travel trends and spending behavior, says the number of travelers routinely faced with physical barriers during travel is gradually falling.
It found 72% of disabled travelers encountered obstacles with airlines, down from 84% in 2005.
"At large airports like Miami and Minneapolis St. Paul, airlines now must provide more than one million wheelchair assists per year and as Baby Boomers continue to age, you can be sure our market will keep growing for years to come," Lipp said.
The study also covered cruise vacations, ground transportation including ride share services, Internet accessibility and assistive equipment.
The online survey polled more than 1,000 adults in January and February with a disability that limits movement, blindness or deafness.
ODO teaches businesses how to effectively market themselves to disabled customers and to make their goods or services more accessible.
