Market Studies

ODO is proud to be known as the definitive source for travel statistics among American adult travelers with disabilities. Since 2002, ODO has conducted four separate nationwide market studies on the spending and travel patterns of American adults with disabilities.

Until the first ODO study in 2002, there had never been a major, statistically reliable survey on the US disability travel market. A second study in 2005, using the same methodology and conducted again by Harris Interactive, confirmed the market size and travel patterns found in 2002. It also extended the research into new areas including overseas travel and how adults with disabilities research and book their trips.

In 2015, in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, Open Doors Organization released a third study, this time in partnership with Mandala Research. The actual online poll was conducted by Harris Interactive, now known as Harris, A Nielsen Company. New to the 2015 study was the addition of questions focused on the use of mobile devices and apps as well as rideshare services by American adults with disabilities.

The fourth study, conducted by The Harris Poll in June/July 2020, focused on 2018-19 travel when it was still booming ahead of the Covid-19 pandemic. During that 2-year period, 27 million travelers took a total of 81 million trips and spent $58.7 billion on just their own travel, up from $34.6 billion in the prior 2015 study. Spending on air travel also increased to $11 billion, up from $9 billion in 2015.

As in previous years, the fifth study, conducted in 2024, provides details on internet and mobile technology use and includes sections on travel destinations, air travel, cruise travel, and lodging. Also included are common obstacles and spending patterns which reflect a significant “come back” for this market post-Covid.

Reports from all five market studies are available for purchase. These remain the only such studies focusing exclusively on long-distance travel and the barriers still facing Americans with disabilities in airports, airlines, hotels, restaurants, and cruise lines.

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