Media Release
A new report by Tourism Research Australia has confirmed what advocates have long maintained: accessible tourism is not a niche consideration, instead it is a major contributor to Australia’s visitor economy, and it demands national attention.
According to the data, travellers with accessibility needs and their companions made over 70 million trips and spent $29.2 billion across the 2023-24 period1, representing 22% of all domestic travel and 17% of total tourism expenditure1.
For the 5.5 million Australians living with disability, representing a fifth (21%) of the population2, these figures highlight an ongoing and largely preventable gap between inclusion and exclusion. While tourism is often marketed as a universal experience, Australians with disability continue to face unnecessary barriers including inaccessible accommodation and bathrooms, public spaces with steep gradients or uneven footpaths, and a lack of accessible transport options. This is despite evidence that accessible tourism significantly improves social inclusion and quality of life for people with mobility issues3.
CEO of Spinal Life Australia, Mark Townend, says the report reinforces what organisations like Spinal Life Australia have consistently advocated: that inclusive tourism should be treated as a central economic driver, not an afterthought.
“These numbers are staggering, and they prove what we’ve said all along. Inclusive tourism isn’t charity, its good business,” says Mr Townend. “Queensland and Australia have a once-in-a-generation opportunity with the 2032 Games to position ourselves as world leaders in accessible tourism. But that means putting access front and centre and not as a box to tick.”
A key insight from the research is that the most common purpose of travel for people with accessibility needs is holidaying, followed by visiting friends and relatives1, trends that are consistent with the general population. The benefits of accessible tourism also extend to a much broader group including older Australians, parents with prams, people with temporary injuries, and multigenerational families4.
Spinal Life Australia is calling on all levels of government to work in partnership with the disability and tourism sectors to deliver lasting change. The organisation is urging immediate action to:
- Embed accessible tourism as a core economic pillar in long-term destination strategies, including Destination 2045
- Support the nomination of 2026 as the National Year of Accessible Tourism, a campaign already backed by both the tourism and disability sectors
- Fund practical, on-the-ground improvements to infrastructure, digital accessibility, staff training, and inclusive experiences – not just policy statements
Sporting Wheelies Chief Operating Officer, Dane Cross, who lives with a disability, calls for action and says the sector now has all the evidence it needs.
“We’ve got the data, we’ve got the stories, and we’ve got the solutions. What’s needed now is leadership from tourism operators, councils, and Ministers – to unlock the full potential of access for all.”
Globally, Australia welcomes approximately 342,000 international visitors with disability every year1. For these travellers, accessibility is a key factor in choosing where to go. When their needs are met, research shows they stay longer, spend more, and are more likely to return1.
Spinal Life Australia will continue to work alongside partners in industry, government, and tourism to ensure that accessibility is not just a value, but a strategic priority for the future of our visitor economy.
To find out more about our Access Consulting services, contact us.
- https://www.tra.gov.au/en/economic-analysis/accessible-tourism-in-australia ↩︎
- https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/55-million-australians-have-disability ↩︎
- https://buildingbetterhomes.org.au/research-making-homes-accessible-lived-experience ↩︎
- https://www.tourism.australia.com/en/about/industry-sectors/accessible-tourism.html ↩︎