Guests with disabilities, older guests and their families are a large market. UN Tourism recommends cost-effective improvements, and on a small property clear information before arrival, asking guests what they need and preparing staff matter most. Guidelines were published in December 2025.
This article is for hosts of rural guesthouses, restaurants and tour providers who want to welcome guests with disabilities and older guests. The market figures come from UN Tourism material. The checklist under "What to do" is general practical advice from this platform, not a summary of the UN Tourism guidelines. The article is not a legal rule: we did not confirm whether mandatory accessibility standards exist for registered accommodation in Republika Srpska, so check with your municipal office or the responsible ministry before investing.
In short
- According to UN Tourism, more than 1.3 billion people live with severe disabilities, and guests with disabilities, specific access needs, older guests and their families can make up to one third of the global market.
- According to UN Tourism (2024), travellers with disabilities are accompanied by 2 to 3 additional guests, so one adapted stay serves a whole group.
- In December 2025 UN Tourism published "Accessibility Guidelines for Tourism Businesses" (in English and Spanish). The five practical steps are in the full document, linked under "Where to go".
- UN Tourism notes that neglected accessibility can lead to complaints, negative reviews and lost revenue. The fines it mentions refer to other jurisdictions; we did not verify any such rule for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- UN Tourism recommends planning cost-effective improvements. Many are affordable, and accurate information and prepared staff often matter more than major building work.
Who it applies to
Anyone who hosts guests: accommodation, restaurants, and providers of tours or tastings on a farm.
What to do
- Check the current state. Walk the guest's route from parking to entrance, room, bathroom, dining area and yard. Note steps, thresholds, narrow doors, steep paths and poor lighting.
- Do the affordable fixes first. Remove or bridge thresholds, arrange tables and chairs to leave clear passage, improve lighting and mark the route with clear signs.
- Describe honestly. State exactly what is accessible and what is not (steps, door widths, bathroom, distance from parking). Guests decide for themselves, and you avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Make contact easy. Give a phone number and e-mail and ask guests before arrival about special needs, including dietary ones.
- Prepare your staff. A short family or team talk: ask the guest how you can help before helping, and speak to the guest rather than the companion.
- Ask for feedback and refine the plan. Plan larger works (ramp, bathroom) only after that.
Where to go
- UN Tourism: Accessible Tourism, Publications and Guidelines: full guidelines for accommodation, food and beverage, tour operators and others, aligned with ISO 21902:2021.
- Your local tourist organisation and municipal tourism office, for questions about rules and support. We did not confirm that any subsidy exists for these adaptations.
Laws and sources
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