UN Tourism has released new accessibility guidelines for tourism businesses to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, urging the global travel sector to adopt practical measures to become more inclusive and competitive.

The guidelines outline five steps for accommodation providers, travel agencies, transport companies, and destinations to widen customer reach, improve brand reputation, and implement cost-effective upgrades to enhance accessibility. UN Tourism says these actions can help create user-friendly environments, deliver better services, and support sustainability by engaging a more diverse workforce.

“As our sector continues to enjoy strong levels of growth, we must ensure that everybody can benefit, whether it’s as a tourist or as part of the diverse tourism workforce,” said UN Tourism Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic.

“These guidelines offer hands-on and achievable steps for every type of tourism business to make accessibility and inclusivity a key pillar of their work, allowing them to reap financial and reputational benefits,” Urosevic added. 

Susanne Friedrich, Director of the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE), said the publication marks “a significant milestone” in the partnership between UN Tourism and AWE, calling it a “triple win” for industry progress, improved inclusion, and economic gains for developing and emerging countries.

More than 1.3 billion people worldwide live with severe disabilities, while nearly half of all people over 60 have a disability. UN Tourism warns that ignoring accessibility can lead to complaints, fines, or exclusion from public grants and may alienate a market segment representing up to one-third of global travelers.

The organization says long-term investment in accessibility strengthens businesses, noting that companies leading in disability inclusion outperform competitors with up to 28% higher revenue, double the net income, and significantly higher profit margins. Disability-inclusive companies also report faster growth and better employee retention.

The guidelines were produced in an accessible format by the ONCE Foundation. They will be presented at upcoming events on accessibility in Ecuador and Cuba, with further promotional initiatives planned in partnership with AWE throughout 2026.