Inclusive Itineraries: Designing Business Travel with Neurodiversity in Mind

crowded and busy large train station

The hum of airports, the blur of tight schedules, and the constant pressure to perform – business travel can be overwhelming. For neurodivergent individuals, it’s not just about reaching the destination; it’s about navigating a journey filled with sensory challenges, unpredictability, and social demands that can impact wellbeing and performance.

In industries such as sport, media and entertainment, travel is often fast-paced and with high stakes. But behind every itinerary is a person with unique cognitive needs. Neurodivergence, a term that encompasses a range of neurological differences, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette’s syndrome and more, shapes how individuals experience the world. And that includes how they experience travel.

With around 20% of the UK population identifying as neurodivergent, inclusive travel isn’t a niche concern.

What is neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is the concept that human brains are naturally diverse, recognising that people experience and interact with the world in many different ways. Neurodivergent is a term for an individual whose brain functions differently from what is considered typical and may affect communication, sensory processing, attention, memory, emotional regulation or executive functioning. For neurodivergent travellers, such as those who are autistic or have ADHD, unfamiliar environments, unpredictable schedules and overstimulating settings can turn a routine trip into a major challenge.

Barriers in business travel

Business travel can be stressful at the best of times. For neurodivergent travellers, that stress can be magnified. Common challenges include:

  • Sensory overload: Bright lights, loud announcements, crowded terminals and unfamiliar smells can be overwhelming.
  • Disrupted routines: Changes in sleep, diet or medication schedules can affect wellbeing and performance.
  • Communication differences: Some travellers may prefer written over verbal instructions, or need extra time to process information.
  • Executive functioning demands: Managing itineraries, packing, navigating new environments and handling logistics can be mentally taxing.

Practical solutions for inclusive travel

Here are some meaningful steps that can be taken by travel managers to support neurodivergent travellers:

  • Check for quiet spaces: Airports, hotels, and conference centres often offer calm zones for decompression. For example, some UK airports now feature sensory rooms or designated quiet areas.
  • Provide clear communication: Use plain language, visual aids and consistent formats in itineraries and booking tools.
  • Offer flexible support: Offer concierge-style assistance and digital travel reminders to ease cognitive load.
  • Provide training and awareness: Equip your staff with training to recognise and support invisible disabilities, including through initiatives like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard.
  • Ensure tech is accessible: Choose booking platforms and travel apps that are user-friendly and designed with neurodiverse users in mind.

The Sunflower Lanyard: a quiet signal for support

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard is a simple but impactful tool. Worn by individuals with invisible disabilities, it signals to trained staff that the wearer may need additional support, time or understanding. Its growing recognition across international airports, rail stations and venues is a step forward in making travel more inclusive.

Inclusion behind the scenes

Supporting neurodiversity is not just about the traveller experience; it starts within your own teams. Businesses can create a more inclusive workplace by:

  • Encouraging flexible working styles and communication preferences.
  • Providing quiet workspaces or sensory-friendly environments.
  • Offering neurodiversity awareness training for staff.
  • Celebrating the strengths neurodivergent individuals bring, such as creativity, attention to detail, resilience and innovation.

Moving forward

Whether booking travel for an athlete or supporting an on-site colleague behind the scenes, understanding neurodiversity helps us all to create a more compassionate, effective, and inclusive travel experience.

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