Autism-Friendly Travel Starts Here: CTA Media’s Travel Inclusivity Program Explained
- Susette Andaya-Gomez
- Nov 4
- 3 min read
Travel inclusivity isn’t just a humanitarian ideal; it’s a smart marketing strategy. CTA Media’s Travel Inclusivity Program (TIP) equips destinations, hotels, attractions, and businesses with the tools they need to authentically engage the autism and disability travel community. Backed by cold, hard ROI and designed for real impact, TIP positions your brand as a leader, generates loyalty with a high-value audience, and drives measurable results.
Why Travel Inclusivity Matters
A $260 billion opportunity: U.S. families spend approximately $262 billion annually on autism-related services and experiences.
Huge demand, low supply: A staggering 93% of families say they’d travel more often if autism-certified options were available.
Growing community: Autism diagnosis rates have surged—from 1 in 44 to 1 in 31 children today.
Loyal customers: Neurodivergent travelers become repeat guests when they know their needs are understood and respected.
By becoming an inclusive business or destination, you tap into an underserved yet highly engaged market, strengthen brand positioning, and increase long-term bookings and revenue.
The 2026 Travel Opportunity
The U.S. travel market is set for record growth in 2026 — and inclusive travel is where the biggest gains are.
Domestic trips are projected to rise from ~2.49 billion in 2025 to ~2.55 billion in 2026.
International arrivals are expected to reach ~85 million, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Hotel occupancy is forecast at ~62.3%, indicating moderate growth and potential off-peak opportunities.
Special-needs families represent massive potential: 87% of families with autism don’t currently travel due to accessibility concerns.
Market size: Over 30 million U.S. residents are directly or indirectly affected by autism.
Major 2026 events like the FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary are expected to drive surges in travel. Now is the time to launch your Travel Inclusivity Program to capture this rapidly growing segment.
What is CTA Media’s TIP?
TIP is a comprehensive, revenue-driven inclusivity program that helps your brand build trust and accessibility while boosting visibility and market share in the autism travel community. Offered both to certified and non-certified businesses, TIP includes:
Inclusivity Audit – A deep dive into your current branding to spot inclusion gaps—from sensory checkpoints to communication clarity.
Content Creation & Strategy – Sensitive, lived-experience-informed storytelling and marketing designed to feel genuine and be SEO-optimized. CTA Media’s expertise ensures that messaging resonates with both neurodiverse families and general audiences.
Media Buying – Precise targeting across digital, CTV, social, and niche autism travel channels to reach the right people at the right time.
Certification Support – Optional guidance to pursue IBCCES autism certification, increasing credibility if needed.
Editorial Exposure – As a bonus, clients gain a feature in Autism Today Magazine*, exposing your brand to families actively seeking inclusive travel options.
TIP in Action: Case Studies
What’s Crackin’ Café, Mesa AZ
CTA Media transformed a local café into an autism-friendly dining destination by:
Building sensory-aware landing pages and social campaigns.
Introducing casein-free menus and autism-accommodated events.
Launching SEO keyword targeting (#SensoryFriendlyDining) and press outreach.
The result? Stronger trust, new customer growth, and a robust reputation as an inclusive dining pioneer. View Case Study: https://www.ctamedia.net/case-study-whats-crackin?utm_source=chatgpt.com
College Bound AZ – “Bright Paths” Initiative
CTA Media supported this education nonprofit by:
Developing the Bright Paths autism-college path program.
Creating content, social media assets, and student guides.
Amplifying their IBCCES certification with press and SEO efforts.
The initiative drove early visibility, deeper community engagement, improved student outcomes, and positioned the brand as a trailblazer in neurodiverse education. View Case Study: https://www.ctamedia.net/case-study-college-bound-az?utm_source=chatgpt.com
These cases showcase how TIP doesn’t just promote inclusion—it delivers real-world impact, revenue, advocacy, and brand differentiation.
Why CTA Media Leads in Inclusive Travel
Deep-rooted commitment – Founder Cathy Sharp’s personal connection to autism, along with CTA Media’s donation of $160K to the Spectrum 360 Foundation, grounds TIP in lived experience.
Proven expertise – With 30+ years of combined media experience and specialist teams in performance advertising, CTV, Hispanic, and Canadian markets, CTA Media knows how to deliver results.
Full-spectrum capabilities – From certification guidance and inclusive content to media planning, buying, and measurement—TIP is a one-stop shop.
Impact at scale – Partnerships with Visit Mesa (the first U.S. city IBCCES certified) and Spectrum 360 Foundation showcase CTA’s commitment to systemic impact beyond individual brands.
The Business Case for Inclusion
Here's what TIP delivers:
Benefits | Impact |
Increased Revenue | Capture high-value bookings from loyal families |
Brand Differentiation | Stand out in a crowded travel/hospitality market |
Customer Loyalty | Earn trust through empathy-informed experiences |
Social ROI | Align your brand with purposeful values and culture |
Sustained Growth | Inclusion becomes a competitive advantage, not just an initiative |
Getting Started with TIP
CTA Media’s TIP is customizable to your business stage and goals. Each package is tailored to your brand and audience.
Ready to Take Action?
Explore TIP packages, discuss your goals, and build a roadmap for success.
*Bonus editorial in Autism Today Magazine is offered to TIP partners and is available for a limited time.
CTA Media – Where Performance Meets Possibility
Comments