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USA Today

Planning an accessible trip just got easier with TripAdvisor's new tool

Travelers looking to plan an accessible getaway may have a new first stop at TripAdvisor. The site, in partnership with Visit Lauderdale, introduced a landing page for accessible destinations and experiences, where reviews from fellow visitors across the disability spectrum are available. 'At Tripadvisor, we believe that inclusive travel experiences are essential to building a better, more connected world,' Global Vice President of media and partnerships at Tripadvisor Steven Paganelli said in a statement. 'This partnership brings together community insights, real traveler stories, and local expertise to create a resource that empowers more people to travel with confidence. It's a powerful step forward in making accessibility the standard in every travel journey.' Disabled travelers and advocates for the disability community agree that online spaces where travelers with accessibility needs can connect and share tips with each other is crucial for planning an accessible trip. "Having a network like that is very helpful in sharing information," Paul Choquette, a wheelchair user, previously told USA TODAY. "It can be very difficult if you're trying to go to a country with a foreign language; sometimes the websites aren't English, and sometimes it can be hard to find the spot you click to get the English language version of the website." TripAdvisor's hub includes: One of the featured itineraries is a three-day getaway in the greater Fort Lauderdale area in Florida. The tourism board there co-sponsored the accessibility hub. That itinerary includes tips on accessible beaches, galleries, gardens, restaurants and more. 'Travelers with disabilities represent one of the most loyal, influential, and underserved audiences in the travel economy,' Dulani Porter, executive vice president and partner at SPARK, Visit Lauderdale's advertising agency, said in a statement. 'We've seen again and again that this audience is not a niche, but a core market. What has been missing are the tools, the access points, and the storytelling that help people plan and feel seen. This initiative is our way of starting to change that.'