Accessible tourism: Creating experiences for everyone

Why accessibility matters

Accessibility and inclusion aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re essential. Every visitor deserves the chance to experience the beauty, culture, and adventure Wales has to offer. By making your facilities and experiences accessible, you’re not only meeting legal requirements. You are opening your doors to a wider audience and creating a truly warm Welsh welcome.

Why it matters for your business

Accessible tourism isn’t just good practice—it’s good business. Visitors who feel welcomed and supported are more likely to return and recommend your destination. By embracing accessibility, you’re helping Wales become a destination for everyone.

The opportunity

Did you know that over 14 million people in the UK live with a disability? Many travel with family, friends, or carers, meaning accessible tourism benefits everyone. By investing in accessible features, you’re helping Wales stand out as a destination that cares.

Disabled visitors and their companions account for around one quarter of visitors to Wales.
More than £1.1bn visitor expenditure in 2024.
Accessible tourism could grow further if barriers are removed.
83% of disabled people have decided not to visit a business because it appeared inaccessible or unwelcoming.
Around 25% of overnight holiday trips to Wales include someone with an impairment or access requirement.

What does accessibility look like?

It can include:

Physical access: Step-free entrances, ramps, wide doorways, clear and accessible signage, and accessible toilets.
Visual accessibility: Good lighting, high-contrast signage, large-print materials, tactile information, and accessible wayfinding.
Hearing accessibility: Hearing loops, captioned audio-visual content, quiet spaces for communication, and staff trained in supporting people with hearing impairments.
Hidden disabilities and neurodiversity: Quiet or sensory-friendly areas, flexible customer service approaches, clear information, and staff trained in understanding hidden disabilities and neurodiverse needs.
Inclusive experiences: Adapted activities, wheelchair-friendly trails, and venues that cater to dietary and sensory needs.
Digital accessibility: Websites that meet WCAG standards, easy-to-read content, and clear booking information.

Inspiration from across Wales

Across Wales, tourism businesses are finding new ways to welcome more visitors. Stangwrach Holiday Cottages shows how accessible features can be part of a great visitor experience. The Wales Coast Path includes routes suitable for wheelchair users, families with buggies and people with limited mobility. These examples show that improving accessibility does not have to be complicated. Small changes can make a big difference. They can help your business reach more people and make Wales a welcoming destination for all.

Stangwrach Holiday Cottages - Creating Inclusive Stays

Stangwrach Holiday Cottages shows how accessibility can be woven into the visitor experience. Their commitment to inclusive hospitality has been recognised with the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award at the National Tourism Awards for Wales '25.
Designed to welcome guests travelling independently, with carers, families and groups, their accessible cottages include features such as step-free access, wheelchair-accessible bedrooms, spacious wet rooms, mobility equipment and adaptable spaces.
Their success highlights how thoughtful design can help more people enjoy a break in Wales. Whether you make small improvements or larger investments, accessibility can open your business to new audiences and help everyone feel welcome.

Stangwrach Holiday Cottages
Wales Coast Path - Accessible routes

The Wales Coast Path can be enjoyed by everyone. Its 870 miles include many routes suitable for wheelchair users, families with buggies and people with limited mobility.
Working with Experience Community, the Wales Coast Path has created a range of accessible itineraries. Several routes have been assessed in person and include clear information on gradients, surfaces and potential barriers.

Accessible walks: Wales Coast Path

Mainc hygyrch i ddefnyddwyr cadeiriau olwyn yn Talog Country Retreat

Pippa Stacey explores a section of the Wales Coast Path in North Wales

Wheelchair access bench at Talog Country Retreat | Lift and carriage, Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, Mid Wales | Pippa Stacey explores a section of the Wales Coast Path in North Wales.

Creating a warm Welsh welcome for all

Make adjustments to your product or service to become more accessible.
Consider physical, sensory, cognitive and hidden accessibility needs. This could include:
step-free access
accessible toilets
hearing loops
quiet spaces
clear signage
large-print information
adapted activities
and flexible ways for visitors to access your services.
Celebrate your accessible features in your marketing

Share photos, videos, stories and testimonials that showcase your accessible facilities and inclusive experiences. This helps visitors understand what to expect and gives them confidence to plan and enjoy their visit.

DIscover how Visit Wales worked with Pippa Stacey to share accessible sections of the Wales Coast Path in North Wales
Provide clear, detailed accessibility information online
Explain access arrangements honestly and in detail, including:
parking
entrances
toilets
hearing support
sensory environments
mobility access
available equipment
and any limitations.
The more information you provide, the easier it is for visitors to make informed decisions before they travel.
Train your team to understand accessibility needs

Give your staff the knowledge and confidence to support visitors with different access requirements. This includes disabled people, neurodivergent visitors and those with hidden disabilities. A friendly, understanding approach can be just as important as physical improvements.

Skills resources and support
Communicate in accessible ways

Use clear language, offer information in different formats where possible. Ensure visitors can contact you through a range of channels. Simple, inclusive communication helps everyone feel welcome.
Ask and listen

Encourage visitors to share their access needs before and during their visit. Listen to their feedback and use it to improve the experience you offer.
Think about the whole visitor journey

Accessibility is about more than the venue itself. Consider every stage of the visitor journey, from booking and arrival to activities, customer service and departure. This helps you create an inclusive experience from start to finish.

Want to make your business more inclusive?

Explore the funding, guidance and resources available to help you create a more inclusive experience for all:

Croeso i Bawb funding is for tourism and hospitality businesses to help you improve your offer to be more accessible and remove barriers to visitors - Croeso i Bawb | Industry

Applications to be submitted by 21 September 2026.

PIWS is a Wales-based not-for-profit organisation that helps create a more accessible and inclusive Wales. Its resources can help you improve accessibility and create a more welcoming experience for all visitors.

Let’s create a more accessible Wales Together | Piws

As a graded businesses you can list your product or event for free on visitwales.com. Ensure your listing is up to date and clearly showcases accessible features. A listing will help you reach visitors planning a trip to Wales. They will benefit from our marketing campaigns which drive traffic to the site and enable your product to be more likely to feature in AI searches.

Visit Wales tourism product listings | Industry Visit Wales