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Miami Herald
10 hours ago
- Miami Herald
7 digital travel fails hurting your summer bookings (and how to fix them)
7 digital travel fails hurting your summer bookings (and how to fix them) Summer travel season is in full swing, and for many Americans, that means jumping online to book flights, hotels, and excursions. For millions of travelers with disabilities, however, that process often ends in frustration. Inaccessible websites can make it difficult, if not impossible, to complete a reservation. This can result in missed sales, negative experiences, and long-term brand damage, AudioEye reports. While some accessibility issues may seem minor, their impact is anything but. Unlabeled buttons, clunky forms, and poor color contrast aren't just usability flaws, they're digital barriers that exclude a growing portion of your customer base. And as the travel industry looks to compete in a crowded summer market, fixing these issues is a smart, high-impact way to improve experience and capture more bookings. Below are seven of the most common digital accessibility pitfalls found on travel websites today, with practical tips to help fix them before peak season is over. 1. Poor Color Contrast Makes Key Details Impossible to Read In AudioEye's 2025 Digital Accessibility Index, which analyzed over 53,000 pages across more than 1,600 travel and hospitality websites, color contrast violations emerged as one of the most common accessibility failures. The average hospitality page had 85 violations, among the highest across all industries. Meanwhile, older travelers aged 60+ represent nearly 37 % of all travelers, according to The Senior List. Many of whom are more likely to experience low vision. When critical information like room descriptions, pricing, or the "Book Now" button blends into the background, your site isn't just hard to use - it's costing you customers. How to fix it: Use accessible color contrast ratios (at least 4.5:1 for body text according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, or WCAG) to ensure text is readable against background colors. This small design fix can make a huge difference in usability. 2. Inaccessible Forms Disrupt the Booking Flow Travel websites averaged four inaccessible forms or buttons per page in AudioEye's Index, which is a major issue when you consider users encountering them are often at the final step of the journey. They've done the research, picked a hotel or experience, and are ready to book. If form labels or instructions are missing, assistive technology users can hit a wall at checkout, causing frustration and sending their business straight to a competitor with a more accessible site. How to fix it: Ensure every form field has a clear label and instructions. Avoid using vague error messages or unlabeled buttons, which can greatly impact usability. 3. Broken Date Pickers Cause Booking Mistakes Poorly designed date pickers can lead to booking errors, particularly for users who rely on screen readers or keyboard navigation. Without clear visual or audio confirmation, it's easy to select the wrong dates, resulting in confusion, added costs, and lost trust. "I thought I picked Sunday to Monday, but it actually booked me Monday to Tuesday," said Marche, an AudioEye A11iance community member. "I didn't realize until later, and it cost me $175 to fix." How to fix it: Use accessible date pickers that clearly indicate selected dates and offer keyboard navigation. Provide a summary confirmation before booking is finalized. 4. Missing Alt Text on Images Limits Traveler Confidence Travelers often rely on photos to make booking decisions, but the average hospitality page has 26.9 inaccessible images. Without alt text, users with visual impairments are left guessing what a room or amenity actually looks like. "Amenities are just pictures with no descriptions," said Ana, an A11iance community member. "I need a wheelchair-accessible room, but they never tell you what that means. Just saying 'accessible' isn't enough." How to fix it: Add descriptive alt text to all images, especially for rooms, amenities, and location features. Be specific about accessibility features (e.g., "roll-in shower," "grab bars by toilet"). 5. Keyboard Navigation Is Broken AudioEye's research found that 41% of travel pages were difficult or impossible to navigate with a keyboard alone. For users who rely on keyboard commands, including those with motor disabilities, this can be a complete barrier to booking. How to fix it: Ensure your site supports full keyboard navigation. That includes tabbing through links, selecting drop-downs, and completing forms without needing a mouse. 6. Unclear or Vague Links Leave Users Guessing The average hospitality page had 5.4 inaccessible links, according to AudioEye's Index, which often meant vague text like "Click here" or buttons that didn't describe what they did. For screen reader users, this makes site navigation confusing and frustrating. How to fix it: Use descriptive link text like "View room details" or "Add WiFi package." Screen reader users should understand exactly where each link will take them. 7. Accessibility Details Are Missing or Misleading Even when hotels offer accessible accommodations, they often fail to explain what that really means. Vague or generic language, like simply labeling a room "accessible," leaves travelers guessing. Is there a roll-in shower? Are doorways wide enough for a wheelchair? Without answers, travelers with disabilities are forced to book elsewhere or take on unnecessary risk. "Just saying 'accessible' doesn't help. I want to know if the bed is high, if there are grab bars, how wide the doorways are. If you show me you're open and inclusive, I'll book with you - and come back," Marche continued. How to fix it: Be specific in your accessibility listings. Include detailed information about rooms, amenities, transportation, and dining. Make it part of the booking flow, not a buried footnote. Make Summer Travel Seamless for Everyone It's hard to remember the last time booking a trip didn't start online. Whether it's a quick weekend getaway or a long-anticipated summer vacation, today's travelers expect digital convenience from start to finish. But when accessibility is overlooked, you risk alienating a large and growing portion of your customer base. Travel brands that invest in accessible design have a unique opportunity to not only welcome a broader audience but to become the go-to choice for travelers seeking ease, clarity, and confidence by creating better experiences for everyone who walks through their (virtual) front door. This story was produced by AudioEye and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Much Money Does It Take To Be a Grandparent in America? The Amount May Shock You
Being a grandmother or grandfather is joyous time that comes from having a family. With all the special trips and gifts given out, it might seem like being a grandparent is one big spending spree with no end in sight — but that can be be hard on the budget. For You: Read More: Data from The Senior List shows that America's 67 million grandparents spend $264 billion annually, or about $4,000 per family, on their grandchildren. This goes far beyond the occasional toy. The study discovered that one in 10 grandparents in the U.S. delayed retirement or took on debt to help grandkids pay for tuition, house payments, meals and other expenses. Currently, many Americans are feeling a financial crunch, trying to keep up with affordable housing in their neighborhoods or just struggling to pay for the high price of groceries. This pressure is particularly felt with older adults, most of whom are on a fixed income after retirement and can only stretch their dollars so far, even when it comes to their grandkids. Check Out: In The Senior List's study, findings showed that the average total annually spent by seniors on their grandchildren was about $3,948. Beyond gifts, this sum included cost of living expenses, such as food, as well as long-term goals, such as college fund contributions. The study noted, 'One in five supporting grandparents feels pressured to contribute more than they can afford.' More data pointed to the 12% of grandparents who offer aid in paying their grandkids' living expenses, whether it be rent or a mortgage payment. Conversely, 16% noted that they lived with at least one grandchild to help offset the family cost of housing. Of those who participated in the study, 26% of the older adults reported living more frugally in order to support their grandkids. This took on different forms of making ends meet, such as postponing retirement. The survey found that 50% of grandparents would be willing to postpone retirement if it meant helping their grandkids, while 40% would come out of retirement to do the same thing. Not all support comes in the form of money, however. The findings also showed that 94% of the older adults surveyed 'cited ways they supply non-financial support to grandchildren, most often via building bonds, offering advice, imparting family traditions or supervising youngsters and helping with schoolwork.' While these might not offset the costs a family feels as a whole, they are non-expenditures that build healthy habits so that grandkids can feel independent and supported on their own. Even so, 63% of grandparents noted that the happiness and wellbeing of their grandchildren was worth any financial sacrifice. Economic factors, however, have made it harder and harder for grandparents to help make those dreams come true, with half of the respondents reporting that inflation and other economic issues have caused them to reduce the amount they spend on their grandkids. The study concluded by offering advice that families as a whole should strategize on how to set money aside for grandchildren, so it does not all fall on the grandparents. From investment planning to college savings accounts and estate preparations, there are lots of ways that families can work across generational divides to make sure all are taken care of. There is even the new 'grandparent loophole,' which permits grandparents to contribute to 529 savings accounts for their grandkids' education without putting the kids at risk of losing eligibility for financial aid. So while it might not be cheap to be a grandparent these days, there are plenty of ways to give back to the grandkids — and make sure you're financially stable, as well. More From GOBankingRates 6 Used Luxury SUVs That Are a Good Investment for Retirees How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region 7 Overpriced Grocery Items Frugal People Should Quit Buying in 2025 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines Sources TheSeniorList This article originally appeared on How Much Money Does It Take To Be a Grandparent in America? The Amount May Shock You Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
