Accessibility legislation: what does your organisation need to know?

October 21 2026, by Annemarie Postma, 3 min reading time

Accessibility is not only a matter of hospitality, but also of legislation. For hotels, travel organisations, airlines, cruise companies and other transport operators, rules apply to ensure that people with a disability or limited mobility can travel as independently and equitably as possible. But what obligations apply to your organisation?

This depends on your services, the countries in which you operate and the trip or service you offer. These are the main legal frameworks to take into account.

The main legal frameworks

1. UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides an important international basis for equal rights and accessibility. It requires signatory countries to take measures to improve access to transport, buildings, information and tourism services, among other things. The specific obligations for your organisation stem from applicable European and national legislation.

2. European Package Travel Directive

Does your organisation organise or sell package holidays? Then you must inform travellers before they book whether the holiday is generally suitable for people with limited mobility. On request, you must also provide more detailed information, taking into account the traveller's needs. This allows customers to better assess whether a holiday is right for them.

3. European passenger rights

Specific European rules apply to passengers with a disability or limited mobility in air, rail, coach and maritime transport. Depending on the mode of transport, passengers have rights to non-discrimination, accessible travel information and assistance, among other things. Transport operators and other service providers involved must know which obligations apply to their services.

4. European Accessibility Act

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is also relevant. This European legislation sets accessibility requirements for certain products and services, including specific aspects of passenger transport and e-commerce services. Organisations that offer online bookings or digital travel services should therefore check which requirements apply to their services.

What does this mean for your organisation?

Understanding the legislation is the first step. The next step is to assess what this means in practice for your website, booking process, travel information, accommodation, services and assistance.

An organisation may want to be welcoming, but without clear information or suitable facilities, travellers may still face unnecessary barriers. By assessing your accessibility early, you will gain a better understanding of potential bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.

From obligations to opportunities

At Accessibly Yours, we help hospitality, tourism and transport organisations, as well as public sector organisations, gain insight into accessibility and inclusion. This will help you understand where your organisation stands, what barriers exist and where concrete improvements can be made.

Do you know where your organisation stands in terms of accessibility? Discover how Accessibly Yours can help you gain insight into your opportunities and next steps.

Sources and further information

• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Article 9: Accessibility: international basis for accessibility.
• European Commission – Passenger rights: information on rights and assistance for travellers.
• Your Europe – Rights of travellers with a disability or limited mobility: practical information on travelling by plane, train, coach and ship.
• EUR-Lex – Package Travel Directive (EU) 2015/2302: European rules for package holidays.
• European Commission – European Accessibility Act: accessibility requirements for certain products and services.

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