Whether exploring the heart of a city, strolling through a renowned park, or navigating a new transportation system in an uncharted environment—these experiences define our adventures when traveling abroad. For the disabled community, these encounters can present unique challenges in urban landscapes, restricting them from the joys of venturing into new places. Yet, globally, strides are being made to create inclusive environments by successfully implementing tactile walking surfaces. 

Tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the world, with millions of people traveling to different destinations every year. However, not all tourists can enjoy their travels similarly, as many destinations are still not fully accessible to people with disabilities or other special needs. 

The 2020 pandemic altered travel and affected so many tourism changes for towns, cities, and countries. Most vacations were canceled, and staycations, aka shutdowns or stay-at-home orders, reigned supreme. 

Social distancing guidelines severely decrease how many people can be in any building at any given time, which has hurt restaurants, entertainment centers, and more. Not only do these changes impact brick and mortar stores — tax revenue and government budgets are also affected.