DiscoverAble.eu

Why should you focus on accessible travel? Because it is the right thing and also a great business case.. when done the right way. My ITB keynote is online and here it is: https://lnkd.in/e7h9jGKu What I liked about the day is that all the industry experts were very much aligned on what needs to happen to truly improve accessibility within travel. Something that has been said for years but are still important today: verified information, training and co-creation. #accessibletravel #responsibletravel #socialimpact German National Tourist Board DiscoverAble.eu GrootTravels 

I’m pleased to be speaking at the upcoming Inclusive Travel Forum webinar, Inclusive Marketing and Storytelling in a Polarised World. Travel brands are navigating increasing scrutiny, misinformation and fear around so-called “woke” narratives — while still needing to communicate authentically with diverse, global audiences. In this session, we’ll explore how to move from performative inclusion to practical, credible travel marketing that builds trust and reflects real experiences. I will specifically be talking about how to market accessible travel and why it is so important to include accessibility in your marketing strategy. Date & time: Wednesday 25 February 2026 , 1:30–2:30pm (UK timezone) Where: Live online Free for ITF members | £35 for non-members Register here: https://lnkd.in/eUtpsqWZ Atlyn Forde DiscoverAble.eu GrootTravels #accessibletravel #inclusivemarketing #responsibletourism

Imagine not being able to use the toilet for a week, not because it’s broken, but because it isn’t accessible. During my three week trip to India with my parents, we stayed at Coconut Lagoon in Kerala. They had an adapted bungalow, but the toilet was too low for my mom to use safely. Based on past experiences, this could have realistically meant she wouldn’t be able to use the toilet for the entire week. Something like toilet height might seem insignificant if you can stand up easily. But for wheelchair users, it’s crucial. In this case, the toilet was too low. Getting on was possible, but getting off meant going up into the wheelchair again, which was impossible without help. We explained the issue and offered some ideas, mainly to educate. What happened next is something we’ve never experienced before. They didn’t dismiss it, they didn’t tell us to “manage,” and they didn’t treat it as a minor inconvenience. Instead, they listened, really listened. They mentioned a carpenter could build a commode chair the next day, which was already more than most hotels would ever consider. But the next morning, my parents got a knock on the door. Not from a carpenter with a makeshift solution, but with a brand new, height-adjustable commode chair the hotel had purchased overnight. This moment truly shifted our whole experience. My mom felt heard and treated like a guest who mattered, not someone asking for special favors. My dad felt relieved because he didn’t have to problem-solve or improvise solutions just to make basic things possible. And I was genuinely happy, because this was the first time I saw a hotel step up and actually help my parents. Accessibility isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Coconut Lagoon understood that completely. They didn’t stop at “we’re accessible” or “we’ll try.” They saw the real impact of this issue and acted on it. That extra step made our stay unforgettable. This is the mindset every hotel should adopt when it comes to accessibility: listen, understand, and act. CGH Earth Experience Hotels Neha Arora DiscoverAble.eu GEORGE SCARIA Planet Abled #inclusivetourism #accessibletravel #wheelchairtravel #travelbusiness 

If you’re going to be difficult about something, make it about social justice. Recently, I had the chance to be interviewed by Sevval Cira as one of the first stories for BOLD PATH MAG. I shared my journey, why I started GrootTravels & DiscoverAble.eu, and what it means to be a social impact entrepreneur in the travel industry. We talked about the challenges, the vision behind making accessibility the norm (not the exception), and what it takes to keep pushing forward in an industry that still has a lot to learn about inclusion. It’s not always easy to stand firm in what you believe in but if you’re going to be “difficult,” let it be for something that truly matters. My main takeaway as a social impact entrepreneur: Know your values. People will test you, they’ll tell you to compromise or take shortcuts to reach ‘success’. But if you don’t define your boundaries, grounded in your values, you risk losing yourself while trying to please everyone. Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/e4BnjTK9 #socialimpact #accessibility #inclusivetourism #impactentrepreneur #travelindustry #groottravels #leadership

It always feels like a win when a client leaves a positive review but even more so when they mention the exact things that made me start this business. We recently received a review from a client who wanted to visit Madrid with his daughter. It was a short city trip, but they needed a little extra support to make sure everything was accessible. From the accessible hotel to transfers and activities, everything was arranged. And hearing that they felt completely stress-free throughout the entire process means the world to us. That’s exactly what we want to achieve for every client: knowing everything is taken care of, having someone available to answer questions, and being ready to solve any issue that might come up. Looking for an accessible vacation? Whether it’s a city break, road trip, or world tour, we’ll help you plan your dream trip. Send us a message and let’s start planning. discoverable.eu #DiscoverAble.eu #accessibletravel #wheelchairtravel #inclusivetourism #accessibletourism #travelagent #citytrip

Sonia Groot richtte Discover_Able op, een reisbureau dat zich richt op reizen op maat voor mensen met een lichamelijke beperking. Een bedrijf in de groei, dat kan rekenen op steun van onze huiscolumnist Kees Bikker: "Eindelijk een organisatie die de barricaden opgaat om reizen toegankelijk te maken voor mensen met een handicap." https://lnkd.in/erMrG3wa

My recent interview with Vijftig+ Magazine is now out! Whenever I do interviews, I’m always asked why I started a travel agency focused on accessibility. The answer is simple: because of my own experiences with my mom. Here’s a quote from the interview that still holds true today: “My mother has been living with MS for over 40 years and uses an electric wheelchair. Whenever we traveled together, we kept running into the same frustrating problem: a lack of reliable information, which made it incredibly difficult to book truly accessible accommodations. We also dealt with broken promises—hotels claiming to be accessible, only to find stairs at the entrance or doorways that were too narrow when we arrived.” Fast forward 10 years and the issues are still the same. Just a few recent examples: • A renovated restaurant with stairs at the front entrance so we had to go through the back, via the kitchen. • A hotel promoting itself as “accessible,” while their dining hall was only reachable by stairs. But neither case is black and white: • The restaurant did have a chairlift—usable for some, but not all. • The hotel had elevators and adapted rooms—great for some, but not for those who can’t climb stairs. At DiscoverAble, we ask what people need and create the experience around those needs. What is accessible for some might not be accessible for others, so we don’t judge what is or isn’t accessible, we communicate clearly what is available so travelers can decide for themselves. So here’s how hospitality businesses can help us do our job better: • Be specific—saying you’re “wheelchair accessible” means nothing without context. • Share pictures when we ask, and keep them up to date. • Again, what works for some might not work for others, so it’s best not to assume—just explain. DiscoverAble isn’t just another travel agency, we’re working to make the industry better, so more people can enjoy travel. If you’re a hotel, tour operator, or tourism board that believes in accessibility or wants to improve and promote your services, let’s connect.

Read the English version here: https://lnkd.in/ehy_yuDJ 
PRGoeroes Discover_Able 

#accessibletravel #inclusivetravel #socialimpact