Web accessibility is an essential consideration for all businesses that operate online, including hotels. The importance of web accessibility for hotels’ websites cannot be overstated as it ensures that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can access and enjoy the services your hotel offers. In this article, we will explore the reasons why web accessibility is crucial for hotel websites and how hotels can make their websites more accessible. We will also provide case studies, examples, and statistics to illustrate the importance of web accessibility.

 

The importance of web accessibility for hotels’ websites

Web accessibility is the practice of designing and developing websites that can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities such as blindness, deafness, and mobility impairments. According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. It is, therefore, crucial that hotels make their websites accessible to this significant group of people. The following are some of the reasons why web accessibility is crucial for hotel websites:

 

Compliance with legal requirements

In many countries, including the United States and the European Union, there are laws and regulations that require websites to be accessible to people with disabilities. For instance, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires hotels to provide equal access to goods and services, including those offered through their websites. The ADA applies to all businesses that are open to the public, including hotels.

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in legal action and penalties. In 2019, Marriott International was sued for violating the ADA by not providing accessibility features on its website and mobile app. The lawsuit alleged that the hotel’s website and mobile app were not compatible with screen-reading software used by visually impaired individuals. The lawsuit was settled for $12.5 million, highlighting the potential legal and financial implications of failing to make websites accessible.

 

Improving user experience

Web accessibility can improve the user experience for all visitors to a hotel’s website, not just those with disabilities. For instance, adding alternative text to images can help users who are using a slow internet connection or a screen reader to understand the content on the site. Moreover, providing captions and transcripts for audio and video content can enhance the user experience for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

Expanding your audience

Making a hotel’s website accessible to people with disabilities can help to reach a wider audience. According to a report by the World Bank, people with disabilities represent a $1.2 trillion market globally. In the United States alone, people with disabilities have a combined disposable income of $490 billion. Moreover, many of these individuals rely on the internet to research and book travel accommodations.

 

Demonstrating commitment to inclusion

By making their website accessible, hotels can demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. This can help to build trust with potential guests and differentiate the hotel from competitors who may not prioritize accessibility. Moreover, hotels that prioritize accessibility may attract more guests from the aging population, who may have mobility or sensory impairments.

 

Case studies and examples of the importance of web accessibility for hotel websites

 

Marriott International

Marriott International, one of the world’s largest hotel chains, was sued in 2019 for violating the ADA by not providing accessibility features on its website and mobile app. They claimed the hotel’s website and mobile app were not compatible with screen-reading software used by visually impaired individuals. The lawsuit was settled for $12.5 million, highlighting the potential legal and financial implications of failing to make websites accessible.

 

AccorHotels

AccorHotels, a French multinational hospitality company, has made significant efforts to improve web accessibility on its website. The company has implemented the following accessibility features on its website:

• Alt tags for all images
• Captions and transcripts for all videos
• Text equivalents
• Keyboard navigation
• High contrast mode
• ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes

These accessibility features ensure that users with disabilities can easily navigate and access the content on the website.

 

Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide, another large hotel chain, has also taken steps to improve web accessibility on its website. The company has implemented the following accessibility features on its website:

• Alternative text for images
• Captions and transcripts for videos
• Clear language and concise headings
• Keyboard navigation

The company has also conducted user testing with individuals with disabilities to identify areas for improvement.

 

Statistics on the importance of web accessibility for hotel websites

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 61 million adults in the United States have a disability, representing 26% of the adult population.

According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people worldwide live with some form of disability.

The disability market represents a $1.2 trillion market globally, according to a report by the World Bank.

In the United States alone, people with disabilities have a combined disposable income of $490 billion, according to the American Institutes for Research.

According to a survey by the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality, 57% of people with disabilities travel with a companion, meaning that the potential market for accessible travel accommodations is even larger than the number of people with disabilities.

 

How hotels can make their websites more accessible

There are several ways that hotels can make their websites more accessible to people with disabilities. The following are some of the key considerations:

 

Use alt tags for images

Alternative text (alt tags) should be added to all images on a hotel’s website. Alt tags can be read by screen readers used by individuals with visual impairments. Alt tags can also help users who are using a slow internet connection to understand the content on the site.

Provide captions and transcripts for audio and video content

Captions and transcripts should be provided for all audio and video content on a hotel’s website. Captions provide a text version of the audio content, which can be read by users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Transcripts provide a text version of the entire video or audio content.

Use clear and concise headings

Clear and concise headings should be used throughout a hotel’s website to help users with screen readers to understand the structure of the content. Headings should be used in a hierarchical manner, with H1 being used for the main heading of the page and subsequent headings (H2, H3, etc.) used for subheadings.

Implement keyboard navigation

Keyboard navigation should be implemented to allow users to navigate a hotel’s website using only the keyboard. This is particularly important for users who have mobility impairments and cannot use a mouse.

Use high contrast mode

High contrast mode should be implemented to ensure that users with visual impairments can easily read the content on a hotel’s website. This mode uses a combination of colors that make it easier for users to distinguish between different elements on the site.

 

Conclusion

Web accessibility is an essential consideration for all businesses that operate online, including hotels. The importance of web accessibility for hotels’ websites cannot be overstated as it ensures that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can access and enjoy the services your hotel offers. Compliance with legal requirements, improving user experience and expanding your audience are some of the reasons why web accessibility is crucial for hotel websites. By making their website accessible, hotels can reach a wider audience, build trust with potential guests, and differentiate themselves from competitors who may not have made the effort to make their website accessible. In addition, the statistics demonstrate the size of the potential market for accessible travel accommodations. The fact that many people with disabilities travel with companions further underscores the need for accessible accommodations and information online.