World Accessible Holidays

12/06/2026

Day 3 of the Spain for All Advisory Board Summit was a fascinating blend of strategy, collaboration and experiencing accessibility first hand.

The morning was spent with fellow Advisory Board members, tourism professionals and accessibility specialists discussing practical ways to improve the visitor experience for disabled travellers. One of the most productive outcomes was beginning work on a new project focused on improving accessibility within Spanish hotels. By bringing together people with lived experience, travel professionals and destination representatives, we have started to identify some of the key areas where clearer information, better processes and greater consistency could make a real difference for travellers.

In the afternoon, we travelled to Albufera Natural Park, one of Valencia’s most important natural treasures. The lagoon is surrounded by wildlife, traditional fishing villages and the rice fields that have helped make Valencian paella famous around the world. An accessible boat trip across the lagoon provided the opportunity to experience the area from a different perspective while also demonstrating how nature and wildlife tourism can be made more inclusive.

The day concluded at La Malvarrosa Beach, where the beach wheelchairs were a real highlight. Seeing equipment available that helps more people access the sand and enjoy the coastline reinforces how important practical accessibility measures can be. There was also time to enjoy some of Valencia’s local traditions with horchata and ice cream by the seafront. Take a look at our Facebook live reel.

What I have appreciated throughout this summit is that accessibility is being approached as more than a compliance exercise. It is about creating better experiences, providing accurate information and ensuring disabled travellers can enjoy everything a destination has to offer with confidence.

11/06/2026

Well we only made the shortlist of the TTG Travel Industry Awards for Accessible Holiday Provider of the Year. It was even nicer that we learned about it on our trip in Valencia with two of the other shortlisted companies and representatives of the Spanish Tourist Board and Jason from Travel Trade Gazette

The awards are in November and it’s a great night of celebrating the best in travel.

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

Day two highlight was finding out about all the great work Visit Valencia and the tourist board are doing in the city. It’s best described in this video. Only in Spanish sorry and some of the presentations. A more full write up when I get home and hoping to get a translated version of the video.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZZ5CBEMFIk/?igsh=MTIxZWlheHJyY3JwNA==

11/06/2026

Absolutely loving Nicks updates of his trip. Me I’m a nervous wreck as always when clients travel, even more so as he’s travelling solo. As always, we worry so you don’t have to. Everything is prepped so why do I worry so much 😩 Paula

Today, I fly as a wheelchair user for the first time, as I take my 50at50 mission to the USA, and am doing it solo 🫣

Flying as wheelchair user, is arguably the biggest accessibility challenge, especially doing it alone, but add, visiting another country for the first time in a chair and I can't describe how bloody daunting it is!

However, that's what the 50at50 mission, and me as Disabled Adventurer, is all about. Showing what's possible when we push ourselves, our beliefs and perceived limitations. Because until we do that, we never really know what is actually possible.

Now, going on an adventure doesn't have to be doing what I do, the definition of it is:
an exciting, unusual, and sometimes risky experience or undertaking, often involving stepping outside our comfort zone, embracing the unknown, and encountering bold challenges such as,

✅ The Unknown: Situations with an uncertain outcome or a lack of routine

✅ New Experiences: Exposing yourself to different environments, cultures, or challenges

✅ Personal Growth: Pushing past mental or physical boundaries

✅ Risk or Excitement: The physiological or psychological thrill of overcoming a challenge.

So, what adventure can you go on or already have without even knowing it?

This trip and the whole 50at50, is about rasing £150k to purchase 8 Outback all-terrain powerchairs, which I'll donate to: Calvert Devon / Delapré Abbey / Stanwick Lakes / National Trust in the Midlands / National Trust - East of England and National Trust Calke Abbey enabling thousands to experience the huge benefits of getting outdoors.

Businesses can sponsor 50at50 from £500, which has challenges going on until May 2027, and/or sponsor a chair closest to their location from £2,500 and be seen by local, national and global audiences. Last year my videos amassed 25million views!

Your first point of call should be to check out my new website by Dibble Digital, link in comments, and then drop me an email: [email protected]

Keep an eye out for my video updates on website and socials, Instagram and FB, and thanks for all your support.

This US leg of 50at50 is sponsored by Quantum Rehab UK / Quantum Rehab US / World Accessible Holidays and supported by Abilities Expo

10/06/2026

Follow Nick’s journey in the States over the next week. Chicago, Philadelphia and Scranton.

10/06/2026

Day one at the Spain for All Valencia Advisory Board Summit has been a fantastic introduction to everything that makes Valencia such an exciting destination for accessible tourism.

The day provided an opportunity to experience the city first hand, exploring some of Valencia’s most iconic locations while seeing how accessibility has been considered within its historic streets, public spaces and visitor attractions.

From the stunning Valencia Cathedral and the historic heart of the city to the beautifully restored Mercat de Colón, it was encouraging to see how heritage, culture and accessibility can work together to create a welcoming experience for residents and visitors alike.

One of the highlights was discovering local Valencian traditions, including tasting authentic horchata and fartons, while hearing more about the city’s rich history and ongoing commitment to inclusive tourism during a guided tour.

What stood out most was the accessibility of the public realm. Wide pedestrian areas, accessible transport links and thoughtfully designed public spaces demonstrate how destinations can become easier for everyone to enjoy.

The evening concluded with dinner alongside fellow delegates, tourism professionals and accessibility advocates, sharing ideas and discussing how destinations can continue to improve opportunities for disabled travellers.

Thank you to the Spain for All team and our hosts in Valencia for a warm welcome. Looking forward to the next few days and learning more about the city’s approach to accessible and inclusive tourism.

09/06/2026

Our latest 5* Review and such wonderful feedback for the team. Our customers are like family and we want them to have the best holiday experience.

08/06/2026

I am leaving you in the capable hands of Jasmine and Steve this week as I am off to Valencia for the Spain for All Advisory Board Summit.

We will be visiting lots of attractions, so watch out for updates

04/06/2026

Nobody is just a booking reference

We were proud to see World Accessible Holidays featured by TTG this week in an article about what accessible travel really means.

The story began with a late-night call.

A repeat client was already in Switzerland, taking part in an adapted sailing event on Lake Geneva, when he realised he had left vital medication behind in the UK. Without it, he faced having to abandon the trip almost as soon as he had arrived.

Courier options were explored, but the timings were too tight. The medication was needed the next day, and the client had already missed his scheduled morning dose.

So Steve Hansen, Co-Founder of World Accessible Holidays, got in the car. He left Cardiff late at night, drove to east London to collect the medication, then continued straight to Heathrow for the first available flight to Geneva. Even then, it was not straightforward.

When Steve reached Heathrow, his flight had been cancelled. British Airways rebooked him onto a later departure, but the medication still had to arrive by 1pm.

After landing in Geneva, Steve went straight into a taxi for Lake Geneva. The client was already out on the water competing when Steve arrived.
The medication was delivered at 12.35pm, with less than 30 minutes to spare. The whole round trip took around 19 hours.

Flying medication across Europe is not a standard service any travel company could promise as part of a booking. But the principle behind it is standard for us. We do not see our customers as booking references.

We see the person, the family, the carers, the support needs and the impact if something goes wrong.

Accessible travel often involves far more than booking flights and hotels. It can involve adapted rooms, wheelchair accessible transfers, mobility equipment, aircraft suitability, medical equipment, airport assistance, carers and contingency planning.

For many disabled travellers, one missing detail can put the whole trip at risk. That is why specialist knowledge matters. It is also why relationships matter.

Our customers often come to us after being told no, priced out, let down or left to manage complicated arrangements alone. Our role is to reduce that pressure, find solutions and make travel feel possible again.

Sometimes that means checking whether a hotel really has a roll-in shower. Sometimes it means challenging incorrect information about aircraft and wheelchairs.

Sometimes it means arranging equipment, adapted transfers or extra support. And very occasionally, it means getting on the first plane out there because that is simply what needs to happen.

We are grateful to Travel Trade Gazette for sharing this story because it highlights something much bigger.

Accessible travel is not a niche extra.
It is about equity, dignity, independence, inclusion and trust.
For us, it will always be personal.

Alt text: Screenshot of a TTG article headline about Steve Hansen of World Accessible Holidays completing a dash to deliver a client’s vital medication, with a portrait photograph of Steve smiling underneath the headline.

ps we are not keen on the words mercy dash.

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