Harry Hastings Recognised as an Accessibility Champion of Change for 2025 by Travelability

After securing the Travel for All Award at Travel Weekly’s UK Globe Awards on 16th January 2025, Harry Hastings, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Ocean Holidays, has been named as a 2025 Accessibility Champion of Change by Travelability for Pioneering Outbound Accessible Tourism to America.

Central to this achievement is the Accessibility programme he launched in 2022, led by Director of Product and Commercial, Anna-Maria Janssen. This initiative reflects Ocean Holidays’ belief that every traveller is unique, and offers personalised accessible travel to all, including both hidden and visual disabilities.

A key feature of the Accessibility Programme is a dedicated hub that provides well-researched information about accessible transportation, accommodation, cruises, and attractions in Florida. In addition, the programme trains specialists from all areas of the business to become Accessibility Champions and includes an in-house Accessibility Co-ordinator to support staff training and to assist customers with their bookings prior to departure.

As a passionate advocate for accessible travel, Harry is now focused on promoting inclusive holidays within the travel trade sector. Speaking on this vision, Harry noted, “We need the trade to be more brave and speak to their clients about their needs and to suppliers about how they can help. It would be great to see the trade switch up the ratio with direct to consumer. That is our mission and we have a lot of work to do!”

Harry’s initiatives have helped remove barriers that have long excluded people with disabilities from fully participating in travel. To date, Ocean Holidays has booked over 6,000 accessible holidays and generated nearly £13.5 million in revenue, a clear indicator of the programme’s success and the growing demand for inclusive travel.

Commenting on the achievement, Harry noted, “With 1 in 5 Brits registered as disabled, our commitment to accessibility has not only driven commercial success but also ensured we are doing the right thing for our employees and customers. This is a cause that unites us.”

It’s this commitment to inclusivity that has positioned Ocean Holidays as a trailblazer in the accessible travel sector.

To view the full list of Travelability’s Champions of Change for 2025, click here.