Flight Centre Survey Reveals 42% of Canadians Want Accessible Travel Options

A Flight Centre survey conducted by YouGov reveals that 42% of Canadians place high importance on accessibility when making their travel plans. 

It’s a startling figure that shows how accessibility is moving from the margins to the mainstream of Canadian travel. The number outpaces even the most recent Statistics Canada data that 27% of Canadians aged 15 and older — and 40.4% of individuals 65 and older — are affected by disability. 

“Disability is unique among equity-deserving groups because anyone can join it at any time,” says Emese Graham, Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager for the Americas. 

“If you don’t think from a universal design experience, you’ll lose your market share. Disability is a part of life for many people. It makes no sense to leave it out of the plan.” 

Travel Market Report Canada has put a focus on accessibility at recent TMP travel advisor conferences in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Advocates for accessibility have taken centre stage before large audiences to raise awareness about the hurdles faced by large groups of travellers. 

Industry association ACTA recently announced that it will build an Accessibility Advisor Directory, a resource that will connect Canadians with travel advisors specializing in accessible travel for both visible and non-visible disabilities.

The Flight Centre survey emphasizes that as Canada’s population ages, accessibility is a powerful force driving travel innovation. And the concept of accessibility extends beyond mobility to include neurodiverse and sensory needs.

Accessible Travel Innovations

Neurodiversity: Rehearsal programs let travellers familiarize themselves with airports to reduce anxiety, while cruise ships may offer autism-friendly entertainment with low volume, full lighting and freedom to move.

Vision: Apps like Aira Explorer and Be My Eyes empower blind or low-vision travellers to navigate unfamiliar spaces such as airports or hotels.

Hearing: Hearing accessible hotel rooms may have text-only phones, closed-caption TVs and non-audio cues like strobe lights to notify guests of housekeeping.

Mobility: Wheelchair-accessible hotel rooms often feature wider doors, lower peepholes and roll-in showers. Pool lifts, zero-entry pools and hot tubs, and accessible beach access may also be available.

Industry Hurdles

Accessibility standards vary widely between provinces and countries, creating a challenge for travellers and operators. “There’s the temptation to want regulations to be standardized, but I don’t think that’s the solution,” adds Graham. “We’re not one-size-fits-all as people. Accessibility shouldn’t be either. What matters most is transparency so travellers can make informed choices.”

The Travel Expert Advantage

Even as information expands online, travellers with accessibility needs still face gaps. An expert brings valuable industry experience and a willingness to dig deeper: making calls to confirm the height of a bed or where a scooter can be stored at a restaurant. These details make the difference in creating a trip that’s both accessible and memorable.

Flight Centre Leads With First Accessibility FAM Trip

FCTG says it already embeds accessibility knowledge into its culture with an in-house curriculum that includes self-paced learning modules, live workshops and an employee resource group. 

This November, FCTG will host its first accessibility FAM trip to Miami, bringing together travel experts from Canada and the U.S. to explore inclusive experiences on land and sea.

“You can be visually impaired and go on a safari. You can be an amputee and go sailing,” says Graham. “Our industry has the power to deliver ‘wow’ moments to everyone, which is what being truly inclusive is all about.”