Visit Galveston launches ‘Accessibility Verified’ program by Wheel the World
GALVESTON ISLAND, Texas (January 27, 2026) – Visit Galveston, Galveston Island’s official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), has completed the process to become an Accessibility Verified Destination by Wheel the World, recognizing the island’s efforts to improve, evaluate and communicate accessibility across its tourism offerings.
The designation follows an assessment of hotels, attractions and experiences using Wheel the World’s structured, on-site evaluation process with over 50 tourism partners participating. Galveston Island leads Texas and the Gulf Coast with the most verified locations to date. The program measures mobility, visual, hearing and cognitive accessibility features and provides verified information to help travelers with disabilities plan trips with greater confidence.
“Accessibility is essential to creating a welcoming destination for all,” said Tony Lyle, executive director of Visit Galveston. “This designation reflects the collaboration and commitment of our community partners to make Galveston easier to experience for all of our visitors.”
Verified accessibility amenities for participating Galveston tourism businesses are now available on the Visit Galveston website and on Galveston’s listing on wheeltheworld.com, allowing travelers to review features, compare options and plan itineraries based on their individual needs. Visit Galveston has also made key website enhancements to make accessibility information easier to find and search. These enhancements include a dedicated accessibility page listed on the website’s main menu, accessible travel itineraries and a blog written by award winning travel journalist Curb Free with Cory Lee about his experience in Galveston.
“Traveling with a disability often involves uncertainty,” said Álvaro Silberstein, CEO and co-founder of Wheel the World. “By becoming an Accessibility Verified Destination, Galveston is helping remove those barriers and setting a strong example for inclusive tourism.”
Galveston’s designation builds ongoing accessibility initiatives across the island, including accessible beach amenities, ADA-friendly public transportation, upgraded sidewalks and partnerships to assess and improve public spaces. The island’s beaches feature access decking, mobi-mats and beach wheelchairs designed to help visitors enjoy the shoreline.
About Galveston Island
Galveston Island, Texas is a resilient historic beach town located 50 miles south of Houston. The birthplace of Juneteenth and home to the second largest immigration port into the U.S. in the 1880s, today Galveston Island is a major tourism destination for Texas and beyond. Galveston offers miles of beaches, top-tier museums, family attractions, plus special events and festivals. Galveston’s port is the fourth busiest for cruise passengers in North America and the island eagerly welcomes more than eight million visitors each year. To plan your Galveston Island experience, go to www.visitgalveston.com.
About Wheel the World
Wheel the World is the leading accessible travel company, empowering people with disabilities, seniors, and their companions to explore the world without limits. Through our Accessibility Verified Program, we help destinations collect structured data, train partners, and launch marketing campaigns that drive awareness, bookings, and long-term growth. With a community of over 180,000 travelers, verified listings in 250+ destinations across 50 countries, and a growing network of DMO partners, Wheel the World is transforming accessibility into opportunity.
Media Contact
Caitlin Carnes
Visit Galveston
Office: 918-527-2525
Email: ccarnes@visitgalveston.com
