Easter Island (Rapa Nui).
Travel agents to tap new resources and revenue with startup’s vetted accessible travel experiences.
BERKELEY, CALIF. – Wheel the World, the online travel booking platform empowering people with disabilities and seniors to explore the globe, has launched a new industry affiliate program. Travel agents are invited to join forces with Wheel the World to make travel more accessible and inclusive for all. With various partnership models available, the affiliate program gives travel agents the opportunity to offer Wheel the World’s certified accessible travel experiences, including accommodations, transportation and activities, to better serve travelers with disabilities, seniors and their accompanying friends and family. Wheel the World formalized their affiliate program after more than 50 travel agents reached out to the startup on behalf of their own clients, seeking partnership and insights on accessible travel.
“Our hope for the new affiliate program is to encourage travel agents to consider the full experience from start to finish for travelers with disabilities,” Wheel the World Co-Founder and CEO Alvaro Silberstein said. “For example, tour operators may think a ramp to access an attraction is enough for a traveling wheelchair user, but what if the bathroom at the same attraction is not accessible? How could a visual experience be communicated and enjoyed by a blind person? We pose these questions to carefully design travel experiences that are fully accessible and impactful to our affiliate partners’ customers.”
Through Wheel the World’s affiliate program, travel agents will gain exclusive access to almost 800 up-to-date accessible travel listings in 117 destinations across 27 countries. Participants will have the opportunity to generate commission for every Wheel the World service booked for their clients. Additionally, following a simple registration process, travel agents will gain access to Wheel the World Academy, a complimentary program with expert tips about accessible travel and how to better market to and serve travelers with disabilities. The inclusive company continues to expand its offerings to consumers and travel agents in an effort to connect the more than one billion people with disabilities around the world to unforgettable travel experiences.
Wheel the World’s extensive accessibility data is compiled via crowdsourcing more than 200 data points, such as wheelchair accessibility, inclusive staff training, transportation logistics, braille signage availability, ramp access, adaptive equipment requirements, bed height, room measurements and more. Each travel listing on GoWheelTheWorld.com outlines accessibility points so users can understand exactly which places to stay, things to do, multi-day private trips or group tours meet their distinct needs. This international aggregation of detailed accessibility information, the most comprehensive of its kind, will be an invaluable resource for travel agents. On April 12, 2022, Wheel the World will also offer U.S. travel agents, hoteliers, tour operators and other hospitality groups a virtual informational about how to better serve travelers with disabilities. Presented by Wheel the World’s Head of Accessibility, Juan Pinto, the webinar will review the history and importance of accessible travel; how to make products and services more accessible; and the data-informed solutions to address inaccessibility in the industry.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
