New partnership aims to make UK holiday bookings more inclusive, and unlock £45B in untapped travel spending by improving accessibility for disabled holidaymakers.

Simply Owners, a no-fee holiday rental site with over 6,000 properties across the UK, Europe and the US, has partnered with AccessibleUK, a national accessible tourism advocate, to make it easier for disabled travellers to find inclusive holiday accommodation.

The initiative will provide property owners with the tools, training, and support to better describe accessibility features of their holiday lets on the Simply Owners platform, and make low-cost improvements where possible. This directly addresses a long-standing barrier for the 16 million disabled people in the UK, many of whom are unable to travel due to a lack of reliable, accessible accommodation information.

With an estimated £45 billion in lost travel spending globally every year due to accessibility challenges (often referred to as the Purple Pound), the partnership also opens a valuable opportunity for holiday rental owners to attract more bookings from an underserved segment, while making the industry more inclusive.

Tackling the biggest barrier to inclusive travel: information

A lack of accessible accommodation remains the single biggest barrier to travel for disabled people. A survey by Transreport revealed more than two-thirds (67%) of the UK’s disabled travellers said that booking suitable accommodation was a major challenge. Almost half (47%) reported they had chosen to stay home this summer, not out of preference, but because of serious concerns about travelling.

While many holiday homes already include features such as step-free access, level-entry showers, or quiet spaces, these are often poorly described, inconsistently listed, or entirely omitted. In some cases, listings labelled “wheelchair-friendly” still include steps or inaccessible bathrooms. And many forms of disability, such as sensory, cognitive, or neurodiverse needs, are not accounted for.

At the same time, many properties are already accessible, or could be made so with minor changes, for a range of different needs. However, they are not presented that way, or listing sites don’t have the right filters to show holidaymakers the accessible features.

Through this partnership, Simply Owners will work with AccessibleUK to:

  • Audit the Simply Owners’ website and operations for accessibility
  • Provide owners with clear guidance on how to describe accessibility features accurately, for all disability types, not just mobility
  • Expand the platform’s accessibility badges to include sensory and cognitive needs
  • Offer resources for low-cost property improvements
  • Launch destination pages showcasing inclusive local attractions, businesses, and services

Direct booking gives disabled travellers confidence when choosing accommodation

Unlike most major holiday let platforms, Simply Owners enables guests to speak directly with property owners before booking. This is a vital feature for disabled travellers who often need to ask more specific questions about accessibility.

Simply Owners was founded in 2016 to challenge high-fee rental platforms and restore fairness to the holiday let industry. With no booking fees or third-party commissions, guests save around 20% on average, while owners retain full control over their bookings and guest experience.

Gillian Scotford, Founder of AccessibleUK, said: “For families with access needs, everyday life already brings enough challenges; finding a suitable place to stay shouldn’t be one of them. We are proud to partner with Simply Owners who share our values of fairness to set a higher standard for how accessibility is communicated, giving both owners and holidaymakers the confidence to make informed choices. Not every property will suit every traveller, but progress matters more than perfection. Every owner who updates their listing or makes even a small improvement is helping open up travel to more people, and that’s worth celebrating.“

Rebecca Ward, CEO of Simply Owners, said: “Simply Owners was built on fairness and transparency, with no booking fees or commissions, enabling direct conversations between guests and owners. Partnering with AccessibleUK allows us to extend these values to accessibility, so more families can enjoy the holidays they deserve without facing unnecessary barriers, while owners connect with one of the most underserved markets in travel. Direct booking is at the heart of this. No one knows a property better than its owner, and those conversations give guests the clarity and confidence they need before booking, while giving owners the chance to offer a truly welcoming experience. Even small adjustments can make a big difference, helping properties stand out, attract more bookings, and create inclusive spaces where every guest feels at home.”