Despite barriers to access, disability travel is on the rise, says a new survey.
Said Open Doors Organization (ODO) director Eric Lipp:
“This new data confirms what we already knew: that there is a strong disability travel market.”
In the past two years, he said, more than 21 million Americans with disabilities traveled either for pleasure and/or business.
The latest ODO survey found that disabled trips had increased by 50% since 2002. But 60% of those also reported they had stayed overnight in accommodations where they had various problems.
The 2005 ODO study also covered a new area, travel car rental. It found that 20% of adults with disabilities rented a car for travel in the past two years. But another 50% said they would be inclined to rent if companies offered pickup and delivery.
“Most rental car agencies should follow the example set by Avis, which now offers Avis Access, a comprehensive program of individualized products to serve customers with disabilities,” said Mr Lipp.
Report by David Wilkening
