New research reveals top 10 most accessible cities in the world
New research based on a global survey of 3,500 travellers with disabilities has been released by the Valuable 500 – the only global CEO collective committed to disability inclusion – which reveals the top 10 most accessible cities in the world.
The research is launched as the travel and tourism industry gathers for World Travel Market at the London.
The top ten most accessible cities in the world, as voted for by disabled travellers who have travelled in them, are as follows:
Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Las Vegas (USA)
New York (USA)
Orlando (USA)
Paris (France)
Shanghai (China)
London (UK)
Singapore (Singapore)
Sydney (Australia)
Tokyo (Japan)
Respondents rated the accessibility of each city according to the transport links, proximity of accommodation to cultural attractions, shops, and restaurants and the availability of information about accessibility.
With an estimated billion of the world’s population living with disability and an ageing population, it is increasingly important that governments and businesses in the travel sector work towards meeting accessibility needs globally.
The findings are released as the first phase of wider research by the Valuable 500 to explore the barriers to travelling for disabled customers. The second phase of the research will explore the causes of this when it is released later this month. The Valuable 500 is made up of high profile members including Expedia, Skyscanner, Virgin Atlantic, and Airbnb. Six percent of the Valuable 500 are within travel and tourism.
Caroline Casey, founder of the Valuable 500 commented: “Our research shows that across both the public and private sectors in travel and tourism industry these cities consistently score well in the accessibility rankings. However, worldwide, tourist boards still aren’t making the necessary headway to remove the physical and ethical barriers to ensure cities are truly accessible for all. Accessibility arrangements for people with disabilities remain an afterthought for the travel and tourism industry, which is why we’re looking into every aspect of the industry journey for people with disabilities in the research we have commissioned.”
Martin Heng, Travel writer who wrote the Accessible destinations report added: “Although physical accessibility is important, what’s so significant is that across all territories people with disability choose travel providers based on being treated with respect and understanding of their needs.”
Valuable 500 Accessible Cities Report 2022 (1).pdf (Fully accessible report)
Source: https://www.c-mw.net/new-research-reveals-top-10-most-accessible-cities-in-the-world/