Written on 18^th March 2024

Recognizing Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024

How TAG Takes Steps to Make Travel Accessible for Everyone 

Many logistics affect the outcome of a seamless trip—for business, production, touring or leisure. From the planning stages through to arriving home, travel can be chaotic for anyone. Sometimes this is especially true for neurodivergent individuals, as they process the world around them differently than those who are neurotypical. As TAG recognizes Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024, it is important for us to understand how neurodivergences can play a role into the unique needs of every traveler and discover areas in which we can provide additional support—so that nobody feels discouraged to travel the world. 

So, what does it mean to be neurodivergent? 

The Cleveland Clinic defines neurodivergent as “a nonmedical term that describes people whose brain develops or works differently for some reason. This means the person has different strengths and struggles from people whose brains develop or work more typically (neurotypical).” According to numerous studies, approximately 15-20% of the world's population is neurodiverse. Neurodivergences include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, Tourette Syndrome, amongst many others.  

For those traveling with neurodivergences, challenges may be escalated or brought about due to unfamiliar sights, unexpected sounds, schedule changes, as well as other variables. It is imperative that as a society, we understand that no two people on the planet are the same. Rather than attaching stigmas to neurodivergent individuals, TAG prioritizes fully understanding each person's needs to simply adapt our travel services in the most effective and efficient ways for all.  

TAG continuously takes the following steps to cater to all one-of-a-kind travelers: 

1. Effective Communication - Traveling requires several moving parts, and clear communication between all parties is crucial. From understanding each traveler's requests to efficiently obtaining pertinent documentation, TAG's Travel Specialists adapt the ways in which they communicate with each and every client. Should a traveler prefer to communicate via phone call, text message, or want all details laid out within an email, our dedicated agents are experts in accommodating to ensure everyone feels comfortable and confident in their personalized experience. 

2. Listen to Understand - The ways in which people prefer to travel differ for everyone. With the unique demands of neurodivergent travelers, it's vital that nuanced preferences are fulfilled—booking an entire airline row to avoid distractions; high-floor accommodations, away from elevators and ice machines, to alleviate outside noise and overstimulation; checking with the hotel for inside and outside distractions, and noise like construction or renovations—our expert Travel Specialists listen to understand what accommodations and creative solutions may be best for each traveler, based on their individual preferences. 

3. Curated Hotel Experiences - Insomnia, overstimulation and anxiety are common amongst neurodivergent individuals. To help keep these at bay, TAG works directly with hotels across the globe to create bespoke stays for each guest. This can include, but is not limited to, ensuring rooms have black out curtains to avoid light coming into the room; rooms that are pin drop quiet; or sound machines added to the room. Our preferred hotel partners also prioritize inclusivity with ADA accommodations and are able to ensure dietary restrictions are met. 

4. The Power of Simplicity - The options can be endless when it comes to booking a trip—regardless of if it's for leisure, business or entertainment travel. Working with TAG's experienced and committed Travel Specialists means that they can help narrow down options for flights, accommodation, transport and other details. Rather than sorting through an overwhelming amount of information, these experts filter it down to best suit your requests. As your team of experts, we recommend the best options for you based on your needs—ultimately alleviating the pressure to choose. Clients can rest assured that we have you covered, continually following through based on our personalized rapport and our understanding of your nuanced preferences. 

5. Confidence in Adaptability - The uncertainty of travel delays and unexpected bumps in the road can discourage many people from booking a trip. Rest assured, our in-house emergency team, TAG24, is available 24/7/365 to handle any last-minute changes or delays—leaving you to focus on the rest of your trip and trust that the details are taken care of.  

It is important to note that no two neurodivergent people are the same, just as nobody in the world is the same. What works for one person, may not work for another. That's why a travel team should never take a one-size-fits-all approach—understanding that everyone has different needs for how they prefer to communicate and travel is essential.  

 At TAG, we prioritize the uniqueness of our travelers, and create seamless travel experiences for everyone. Discovering solutions that work for every kind of traveler is where we really shine—ultimately resulting in a personalized, stress-free experience, every time.