Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program©
The Tourism Industry Global Gold Standard for Inclusive Travel
Travellers with disabilities face significant challenges: they simply cannot trust most accessibility claims. Our Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program© (ATAP) bridges that gap — with assessments built on real lived experience, comprehensive standards based on end-user feedback, and clarity that empowers travellers to book confidently.
Accreditation isn’t just a badge; it’s a recognised signal of trust, credibility and professional commitment to inclusive travel.
Dominate Search Results in the AI Era
The way travellers search is changing. When people with disabilities ask AI tools where to stay, we are the answer. Our accreditation process includes verified, extensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that cover every specific search need a guest might have.
As a result, Accessible Accommodation currently appears in 7 to 8 of the top 10 search results on Gemini and ChatGPT for accessibility-related queries (where listings are available).
This visibility puts accredited properties directly in front of guests who are actively looking to book.
Direct bookings
Once they find a property that suits their needs, over 80% of website visitors choose to book directly with you.
Why Accessibility Matters More Than Ever — Globally
Accessibility needs vary — and accuracy is everything.
There is no single definition of “accessible.” Disability is incredibly diverse, and what works beautifully for one traveller may be unusable for another. Mobility, sensory, cognitive, neurodiverse and chronic health needs all vary widely.
This is exactly why our accreditation process is detailed and transparent — and why we offer the most comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions libraries in accessible tourism.
Our FAQs help travellers filter their search on a granular level, with precision and accuracy, ensuring your property suits their needs.
Through our verification process, we help accommodation providers ensure better guest matches, resulting in fewer surprises and happier guests.
The ageing population is transforming global travel. Unlock the “Silver Economy.”
Today, 16% of the world’s population is over 65, and this number is rising fast. As people age, their accessibility needs naturally increase — and so does their desire for confidence, comfort and safety when travelling.
This demographic also has:
- High disposable income
- A strong appetite for domestic and international travel
- A tendency to travel with partners, adult children, grandchildren or friends.
They represent one of the most lucrative guest segments on earth — but if they have access needs, they only book where accessibility is transparent and trustworthy.
The multiplier effect: accessible travellers rarely travel alone.
People with disabilities and seniors rarely travel alone. They typically travel with family, friends or carers. By catering to the one person in the group with accessibility needs, you secure bookings for the entire party — turning a single-room inquiry into a multi-room reservation.
For weddings, conferences and events, the numbers are even more powerful. With 1 in 5 people living with a disability, event organisers and wedding planners cannot afford to exclude these guests. Accredited properties are therefore far more likely to be selected as event accommodation partners.
Why Your Property Should Join — No Matter Where You Are in the World
1. Reach a rapidly expanding global market
Accessible tourism is booming worldwide.
By becoming accredited, your property becomes discoverable to travellers across all regions seeking verified, accessible stays.
AUSTRALIA: 21.4% of Australians live with a disability, and as our population ages, over 65-year-olds represent an additional 16% of our population.
NEW ZEALAND: 19% of Kiwis live with a disability, and the over-65 population represents 16%. The over-65 market will only continue to grow. They may not live with a disability, but increasingly prefer the convenience of accessible features.
We currently serve Australia, New Zealand and Bali, and we’re now expanding worldwide to meet the fast-growing global demand for verified, accessible accommodation.
2. Guests Book Directly
Although we prefer guests to book through our website (using our direct booking functionality), 80% of our followers use it to gather trustworthy information before booking directly.
3. Fill rooms that often sit empty
Accessible rooms and cabins are frequently underutilised — not because travellers don’t want them, but because they can't trust the information. Accreditation fixes this, dramatically improving occupancy.
4. Benefit from our industry-leading search visibility
Our platform ranks near the top of search results across multiple major engines and AI tools, delivering highly qualified traffic — guests actively seeking accessible accommodation.
5. Stand out from competitors
Few properties can prove their accessibility claims. With our Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program© (ATAP) certification, you become a clear, trusted choice, because people with extensive lived experience of disability have verified and accredited your business.
6. Strengthen ESG, reputation and guest loyalty
Accreditation demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion, social sustainability and social responsibility — something leisure travellers, corporate buyers and government entities value deeply.
7. Built on lived experience and best-practice design
Our assessment framework was collaboratively developed with input from our end users, our thousands of followers who navigate accessibility every day. It reflects real-world needs — not assumptions.
8. Optional supportive tools through our Guest Experience Consulting Service and Inclusion Training
Accessible Accommodation can guide you on your accessibility improvement journey through our Guest Experience Consulting Service, which focuses on aesthetically pleasing yet functional features our end users ask for. We also provide Tourism Inclusion Training programs.
9. Better guest reviews:
Meeting our requirements ensures a more comfortable stay for guests with disabilities, leading to higher satisfaction and positive reviews.
10. Adoption by ATDW and Grant Application Benefits:
Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program© is now part of Australia’s most powerful tourism alliance, the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW). You can indicate your qualification on your ATDW listing to enhance visibility and tap into the extensive reach and credibility of your state or territory tourism organisation.
Government grants are occasionally available for businesses to enhance accessibility. Earning our Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program© may enhance your status and value proposition when applying for government grants.
11. A Strategic Advantage for Events, Groups, and International Travellers
Accredited properties become highly appealing for:
- Weddings and celebrations
- Sporting events
- Conferences and business travel
- Group tours
- Multi-generational family holidays
Because accessibility is a non-negotiable need, and accredited properties earn trust immediately.
How the Accreditation Works
We've developed a unique verification process from any location and evaluate your property against multi-tiered accessibility categories that consider:
- Assisted and independent wheelchair access
- Walking-frame / Cane suitability
- Mobility-related features
- Vision, hearing and sensory needs.
- Neurodiverse-friendly design
There are four tiers for accessibility
Upon meeting criteria, you receive:
- Your Accreditation seal to proudly display at your property entrance.
- Physical certification materials.
- A high-visibility listing optimised for search engines and AI tools.
- The option to license your accreditation seal for use on your website and in all digital and print materials.
This ensures your property is easily discovered by travellers who need precisely what you offer.
Results to expect.
- Accessible travellers stay longer (average 4.3 nights per booking for short stays) and prefer the off-season, where crowds are fewer.
- They generate multiple room bookings.
- They return frequently once trust is established.
- They represent a massive, growing global market segment.
- And thanks to our top-tier search presence, your listing gets in front of them faster than anywhere else.
The Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program© means stronger occupancy, greater revenue, and a sustainable long-term advantage.
Ready to Attract a Global Audience?
Whether you are a hotel, motel, holiday park, short-stay holiday rental, serviced apartment or even a glamping or houseboat operator, join Accessible Accommodation’s Tourism Accreditation Program today. Secure your place in the top search results and start welcoming a world of travellers.
Open your doors to guests who value transparency, comfort and accessibility — and discover the extraordinary business potential of welcoming everyone. Because Everyone Deserves a Break®
© 2025 Accessible Accommodation. All Rights Reserved. The Accessible Tourism Accreditation Program® and all associated content, logos, rating icons, and methodologies are the exclusive intellectual property of Accessible Accommodation. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution is strictly prohibited and protected under Australian and International Copyright Laws.