The future of sports tourism will belong to destinations that understand accessibility and inclusion are no longer optional — they are a competitive advantage.
A new Blueprint for Hosting Disability Inclusive Sporting Events, developed by Lakeshore Consulting Services and All In Sport Consulting, provides a practical roadmap for destinations, venues, event organizers, sponsors, and convention and visitor bureaus looking to create more accessible and inclusive sporting experiences.
The blueprint focuses on real-world strategies that can immediately strengthen adapted sport events, community tournaments, youth competitions, and participatory sporting events — while also expanding tourism opportunities and improving experiences for athletes, spectators, and travelers with disabilities.
The timing could not be more perfect. Adapted and para sport is growing rapidly across the United States, with more host cities recognizing the economic and community impact these events generate. According to the Adapted Sport Economic Impact Study, adapted and para sport events generated nearly $164 million in economic impact across the country in 2024 alone.
Disability inclusion is no longer simply about compliance or checking a box. It is an opportunity for destinations and sport organizations to better serve communities, expand audiences, and create experiences that welcome more participants and fans into the sports ecosystem.
“By equipping venues, event sponsors, and even convention and visitor bureaus with the proper training and technical assistance, we can expand tourism while creating more inclusive and accessible opportunities for people with disabilities to participate as athletes, spectators, and travelers,” said Amy Rauworth, Chief Research and Innovation Officer at Lakeshore. “By partnering with All In Sport Consulting to produce this blueprint, we are able to offer top-notch expertise in adapted sports, accessibility training, and strategies that remove barriers and ensure meaningful engagement for all.”
Lakeshore Foundation, based in Birmingham, Ala., brings more than 100 years of experience in adapted sports and disability services. An Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, Lakeshore also partnered with The World Games 2022 to implement A Journey to One World, One Games, an initiative designed to advance disability inclusion and accessibility while creating a lasting legacy for future sporting events.
As communities continue to invest in sport tourism, the blueprint reinforces a clear message: accessible and inclusive events are not niche opportunities — they represent the future of sports participation, engagement, and growth.
