Becoming an Accessible Travel Blogger: Opening Doors to Free Stays and Activities

In an age where travel blogging has become a lucrative profession, many aspiring adventurers are looking for ways to turn their passion for exploration into a sustainable career. One niche that’s gaining traction is accessible travel blogging. This avenue allows bloggers to share their adventures with a wider audience and opens doors to unique opportunities, including complimentary stays and activities. So, how does one embark on the journey to becoming an accessible travel blogger and reap the benefits of free accommodations and experiences? Let’s delve into it.

Finding Your Passion and Niche

Every successful travel blogger has a niche that sets them apart from the rest. For those interested in accessible travel, it’s crucial to identify what aspect of it ignites your passion. Whether it’s exploring wheelchair-friendly destinations, discovering sensory-friendly attractions, or advocating for inclusivity in travel, honing in on your niche will not only help you attract a dedicated audience but also enable you to establish yourself as an authority in the field.

When I started as a travel blogger I intended to be just that, a travel blogger. I set out not wanting to mention the fact that I was disabled. However, after many conversations with many different people, I was finally convinced that honing in on the fact that I am a disabled travel blogger was, to a certain extent, a unique selling point. The same can be said when focusing on the niche of accessible travel. Though both traveling with a disability and writing about accessible travel are becoming more and more common these days, as more people within the community seek to share their tales.

Building Your Platform

Once you’ve determined your niche you’ll need to create your platform. Whether it’s a blog, vlog, or social media channel, having a digital space to share your adventures and insights is essential. Try and invest as much time as you can spare into creating high-quality content that resonates with your audience and showcases the accessibility aspects of your travels. You can utilize platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter to engage with your followers and build a community around accessible travel.

Don’t be disheartened if your content doesn’t reach a massive amount of people straight away. There will be days where your content gets next to no views, and others where your content does extremely well. It’s all about consistency and our algorithmic overlords repay those that are willing to grind. Don’t be tempted either to rely too heavily on artificial intelligence. People want to read from you, firsthand. Give your work the flare that it deserves.

Networking and Collaboration

In the world of travel blogging, networking is key. Reach out to fellow accessible travel bloggers, disability advocates, and tourism boards to forge meaningful connections. Collaborating with like-minded individuals and organizations not only expands your reach but also opens doors to potential partnerships and sponsored opportunities. You could also look to attend industry events, conferences, and workshops to network with professionals in the travel and tourism sector. It all helps!

Educate Yourself and Others

To be an effective accessible travel blogger, it’s essential to continuously educate yourself on accessibility standards, regulations, and best practices. Stay informed about the latest developments in the field and advocate for inclusivity within the travel industry. Share resources, tips, and insights with your audience to empower them to embark on their accessible adventures. It’s important to keep up-to-date and have some skin in the game.

Authenticity and Transparency

One of the hallmarks of successful travel bloggers is authenticity. Be genuine in your experiences and transparent with your audience. If you receive complimentary stays or sponsored activities, disclose it clearly in your content. Maintaining honesty and integrity builds trust with your audience and enhances your credibility as a travel influencer. Honesty REALLY is the best policy.

Speaking from personal experience, I find my audience with The World is Accessible resonates well with my transparent approach to running the brand. Besides, being honest is easy really!

Pitching and Negotiating

As your platform grows, opportunities for partnerships and sponsored collaborations will arise. When pitching to brands and tourism boards, highlight the value you bring as an accessible travel blogger. Showcase your audience demographics, engagement metrics, and previous collaborations to demonstrate your influence and reach. Negotiate fair compensation for your work and ensure that any sponsored content aligns with your values and audience interests. You may also want to look into creating a Media Kit for your brand. If you don’t know what one of those is (which I didn’t at first) it’s essentially a document with all your facts, figures, and statistics, as well as a bit about you and who you’ve collaborated with and worked for in the past. Check on Google for a reference if you need it.

Creating Impactful Content

Ultimately, the success of an accessible travel blogger hinges on the quality of their content. Use your platform to tell compelling stories, share practical tips, and inspire others to explore the world regardless of their abilities. Highlight the beauty of accessible destinations, showcase inclusive experiences, and advocate for positive change within the travel industry. By creating meaningful and impactful content, you’ll not only attract loyal followers but you’ll also attract opportunities for comped experiences.

So.. are you tempted to start your accessible travel blog? Well, what are you waiting for? There’s no time like the present. Let us know here on Tabifolk if you do set one up, as I’m many people, like myself, would love to follow and find out more about your adventures!