Accessibility in Short-Term Rental statistics

According to a recent report from MMGY Global, “Portrait of Travelers with Disabilities: Mobility and Accessibility,” approximately 12.5 million disabled people traveled in 2018-19. Factoring in the growth of baby boomers expected to acquire a disability as they age, MMGY estimates that number to nearly triple to 33.4 million by 2028. Travelers with mobility disabilities spend $58.2 billion per year on travel, MMGY found, and take leisure trips with nearly the same frequency as those without mobility issues. Lodging and transportation accessibility are cited as the two biggest barriers to travel for people with mobility issues, MMGY found.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023), 1.3 billion people – about 16% of the global population – experience significant disability. Accessibility for all to tourism facilities, products, and services should be a central part of any responsible and sustainable tourism policy. Accessibility is not only about human rights. It is a business opportunity for destinations and companies to embrace all visitors and enhance their revenues.

Did you know..? 

• Almost 50% of people aged more than 60 have a disability
• Travellers with disabilities tend to travel accompanied by 2 to 3 travel companions 
• 2/3 of people with disabilities in developed economies are likely to have means to travel 

Changing the mindset

-When we are told that something is simply not accessible, we should ask: “What is so unique about it that it justifies exclusion of millions of users”? -Changing our mindset, and understanding the business case of accessibility, are still the key challenges. That’s why training at both executive and front-desk staff level is a must. 

-Making destinations accessible NOW is paving the way for the FUTURE – places where locals and visitors alike, can spend quality time throughout their lives, and at any age.

Who will a Becoming rentBLE Cognitive Certification benefit?

Brain Injury – yearly 500,000 (2% of U.S. population)

Autism Spectrum Disorder/Autism– 5.4M adults in the U.S. (2.2% of U.S. Population), 1 in 36 children and number is rising

Alzheimer’s and other dementias – Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and it is estimated that over 5.8 million people have Alzheimer’s and related dementias, including 5.6 million aged 65 and older and about 200,000 under age 55 with younger onset Alzheimer’s  

Down syndrome/Intellectual Disability – 6.5M 

Stroke – 795,000 people each year