Why accessible business travel should be the standard, not the exception

Written by Clive Wratten

Travelling for work has long been recognised as a driver of economic growth, innovation and opportunity. It enables people from all kinds of careers to build relationships and develop their skillsets. Whether it’s a contractor getting to an oil rig for maintenance, meeting a client for an important deal, or networking at a trade conference – the breadth of business travel is wide and varied. 

Yet for millions of people, the simple act of travelling for work remains far more complicated than it should be.In the UK, 16 million people live with a disability or long-term health condition. Our research shows that 87% of disabled travellers say accessibility directly affects their ability to travel for work. These are professionals who have the skills and expertise to contribute fully, but who too often face unnecessary barriers before their journey has even started.

A challenge and a responsibility

Accessibility cannot be treated as an afterthought. It needs to be considered at every stage of the journey, starting with the booking process itself.

For many people travelling with a disability or accessibility requirement, the journey can involve unnecessary barriers. Transport connections don't always join up, accessible facilities can be inconsistent, and travellers are often left having repeatedly to explain their needs at every stage. From questioning whether a hotel room is genuinely accessible to worrying if the right assistance will be available at the airport or station, travelling can become stressful long before the journey even begins.

Nearly half of travellers with accessibility requirements say there is a lack of understanding of their needs, and that's something our industry must address.

The impact goes beyond the journey itself. Many people also worry about how these barriers affect their careers, with 63% believing their able-bodied colleagues progress faster because travelling for work is simply easier for them.That is why the Business Travel Association (BTA) has launched the UK’s first Inclusive Business Travel Guide specifically for Travel Management Companies (TMCs). It is designed to give travel consultants the knowledge, confidence and practical tools to have informed conversations with travellers, anticipate requirements and remove barriers before they become complications.This guide was developed alongside accessibility specialists and those with lived experience, including the Thomas Pocklington Trust, alongside experts from across our membership. Their insight has helped ensure the guidance reflects the realities faced by travellers with mobility, visual impairments, hearing loss, hidden disabilities, and neurodivergent needs.

The future for TMCs

For TMCs, this is about moving beyond simply responding to requests. It is about asking the right questions, understanding individual requirements and making inclusive travel planning a routine part of their customer service. By providing practical advice, conversation prompts and accessible booking guidance, we hope to give consultants the confidence to deliver exactly that.

Representing more than 90% of UK managed business travel spend, the BTA has a unique opportunity to help raise standards across the sector. The BTA are providing best practice so it can become standard practice and ultimately creates a more inclusive travel environment.

This is only the beginning

The Inclusive Business Travel Guide is the first output of a wider programme of work. The BTA’s dedicated accessibility working group is already developing further resources and collaborating with members and partners to identify where meaningful improvements can be made across the travel journey. Creating a truly accessible business travel sector is not a one-off project - it is an ongoing commitment.

This is about ensuring talented people are not excluded from opportunities because of avoidable barriers. It is about recognising that confidence, dignity and independence should be available to everyone travelling for work.

When we make travelling for work more accessible, we create a stronger workforce and more resilient organisations, benefitting everyone.

The journey towards fully inclusive business travel is far from complete. But every meaningful change begins with a first step.