The trillion-dollar travel industry is experiencing a massive shift: autistic travel is becoming the market’s fastest-growing segment.

Visitors Demand More Inclusive Travel Options

Currently, there are over 20 million families with autistic individuals around the world and millions more other travelers with hidden disabilities. This population has long been underserved when it comes to travel.

According to a recent Expedia survey, 7 in 10 consumers would choose a destination, lodging, or transportation option that is more inclusive to all types of travelers, even if it’s more expensive. This means they are willing to spend more on travel that’s truly inclusive.

In a survey conducted by Autism Travel, 1,000 parents who have an autistic child were asked a short series of questions. The results are shocking and show the extreme need for autism certified travel options:

78% surveyed were hesitant to travel or visit new locations because they or their child is on the spectrum

94% would  take more vacations or visit more new places if you had access to autism-trained and certified options

The demand for better travel opportunities for autistic individuals is rapidly growing as more and more people don’t want to miss out on creating memories and enjoying fun experiences with their families.

Although there are still many travel destinations that are not prepared to accommodate autistic guests, families have more options now than ever before due to the Certified Autism Center™ training program offered through IBCCES, the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.

Learn More About Becoming a Certified Autism Center™

3 Reasons Why Autism Training & Certification Is Needed

family packed for air travel
Certified Autism Center for Zoo
dad & son checking into Certified Autism Center hotel

Be A Industry Leader

Many popular travel destinations are acting as leaders in the industry and have already earned the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation, including Beaches Resorts, Meow Wolf, all US Legolands, Sesame Place and Six Flags.

These organizations have received incredible feedback from their autistic guests and now feel confident about their staff handling these situations that inevitably happen daily.

After Sesame Place announced its certification, the response was incredible! For example, 400 families visited their park who self-identified as having an autistic child the week after the CAC designation was announced.

Increase Market Share & Drive Revenue

These industry leaders are several steps ahead of the game. They recognized the rapidly changing market and took the necessary steps to accommodate the growing population of families and individuals with autism who wish to travel. Travelers with disabilities take 32 million trips per year. Organizations who don’t will soon be left behind and unequipped to handle this growing demographic.

Become confident in your ability to provide travel/entertainment solutions to an underserved market becoming a Certified Autism Center™. Investing in your organization to ensure you and your staff have the knowledge and confidence during guest-facing scenarios.

Autism-Friendly Isn’t Enough

Organizations across the globe claim to be “Autism Friendly” but are not equipped to truly accommodate these guests. This has left families disappointed due to a lack of trained and understanding staff. Families and autistic individuals are no longer afraid to turn down destinations and services that can’t offer them the support they require because more and more options are becoming available. Rather than giving up on their travel dreams, people are expecting their travel destinations to be prepared and when they’re not, they know there are other options for them. Travel and recreation organizations can become a part of the positive change and serve the fastest-growing segment of the market. In fact, it’s never been more important for organizations to take action if they want to remain relevant to their customers.

Interested In Find Out More About Becoming A Certified Autism Center™?

Fill out the form below to connect with a Certification Advisor for more information