🧠 The Case for Calm: Why the Travel Industry Needs to Rethink Neurodivergent Experiences

Come for the news, stay for the laughs

Morning Brew isn’t just any newsletter—it’s your free shortcut to business news that actually matters. Fast, fun, and—dare we say—enjoyable.

No fluff, no jargon, and it takes less time to read than it does to brew your coffee (unless you’ve got a Keurig—then you might get to enjoy your Morning Brew with your actual brew).

Join over 4 million professionals who read it daily. Delivered bright and early, it’s news on your time—whether you read it when you wake up, over lunch, or before bed.

Try Morning Brew for free

Introduction

Let me ask you something personal:

Have you ever canceled a trip last minute—not because you couldn't go, but because you couldn't handle going?

Maybe your brain got too loud. Maybe your body froze. Maybe the thought of navigating another unfamiliar space felt like too much. If that hits, I see you.

Did you know that roughly 15-20% of the global population is neurodivergent in some way? That's over a billion potential travelers whose needs are being overlooked by an industry built for neurotypical experiences!

And if you're a brand reading this—especially in travel, hospitality, or tourism—this is your moment to lean in. Because the travel industry has a blind spot, and it's leaving millions of us behind.

Neurodivergent people do travel. We crave exploration, beauty, rest, and novelty just like anyone else. But we experience travel through a different lens. And that lens is often fogged up by overwhelm, comfort mismatches, social exhaustion, and logistics that weren't built with us in mind.

So this isn't just a post. It's a soft-but-clear call: It's time to rethink how travel can feeland who it's truly designed for.

🧠 What the Industry Is Missing

• Neurodivergent adults (including autistic travelers, ADHDers, dyslexic folks, and more) are traveling—they're just doing it differently.

• Most resources cater to kids or families. Independent adults? We're left DIY-ing our comfort and praying the lounge isn't blasting pop radio at 8 a.m.

• Accessibility doesn't just mean wheelchair ramps. It means lighting, noise, fragrance-free spaces, intuitive signage, predictable structure, and staff who actually get it.

• There's no industry-wide calm rating, certification, or real framework for "comfort-aware hospitality." So travelers like us depend on patchwork blogs or anxiety-fueled Reddit threads.

The industry keeps focusing on flashy amenities and Instagram-worthy moments, but what many of us actually need is thoughtful design, clear information, and spaces that don't overwhelm our nervous systems. Is that really too much to ask?

💸 The Missed Market (That's Not What You Think)

Let's bust a myth: neurodivergent ≠ financially limited, untraveled, or uninterested. Not true.

Many of us are engineers, artists, strategists, cybersecurity pros, entrepreneurs. We're spending, and spending well—on brands that get us.

Did you know that roughly 40% of self-made millionaires are dyslexic? Or that neurodivergent folks are overrepresented in tech, wellness, and creative fields?

There's money here. But more than that, there's momentum. The brands that start building for us now? They'll be the ones we stay loyal to.

When we find a brand that truly understands our needs—that creates spaces where we can exist without constant masking or exhaustion—we don't just come back. We tell everyone in our communities. Word spreads fast when someone finally gets it right.

📈 The Business Case for Inclusivity (ROI Table)

💡 What Calm Can Look Like

It doesn't have to be complicated. But it does have to be intentional. Imagine:

• Clear, consistent signage with high-contrast colors, universal symbols, and fonts that actually make sense (looking at you, tiny gray-on-white text)

• Flexible check-in procedures that don't force awkward social interactions when you're already stretched thin

• Soft lighting that doesn't buzz or flicker and spaces where sound doesn't echo like a cave

• Staff trained in actual emotional awareness, not just "smiling on cue"

• Dedicated quiet spaces or early access windows before the crowds descend

• Digital tools that tell you the truth about what to expect—not just the pretty pictures

• Partnerships with neurodivergent creators and hosts who live this experience firsthand

The beauty is that these improvements help everyone. Who doesn't appreciate clear directions, calm environments, and genuine service? It's universal design at its best.

🧳 Sensory Considerations Across Travel Touchpoints

🌍 Why I Started City Calm Guide

Because after years of canceling trips, masking through hotel lobbies, and finding temporary refuge in airport bathrooms, I realized: the problem isn't me. It's the system.

City Calm exists to:

• Offer grounded, beautiful travel content for people who feel everything

• Help people explore cities like Charlotte at their own pace

• Share tools, places, and rituals that make travel less overwhelming and more alive

But honestly? It started with home.

I run short-term rentals—ones designed to feel like a deep exhale the moment you walk in. And over time, I realized that the same things that helped guests feel comfortable there—thoughtful lighting, intuitive layout, the feeling of being truly seen—are the same things we all look for when we travel.

We don't want just a place to stay. We want to feel like ourselves when we get there.

My deeper mission is to build a bridge between the neurodivergent community and the industries that want to serve us—but don't know how. Because when travel works better for those who need the most accommodation, it works better for everyone.

🤝 Brands: Here's How to Join Us

Want to do this better? Partner with us.

Start by:

• Conducting environment comfort audits (not just accessibility checklists)

• Working with neurodivergent consultants who actually live these experiences

• Training your staff beyond the basics of customer service

• Creating clear communication about what guests can truly expect

• Implementing flexible policies that accommodate diverse needs

We're open to collaborations, consulting, and creative ways to feature brands that are actually creating calm—not just marketing it. Whether you're a hotel, airline, travel app, or local business—if you're ready to rethink what inclusive travel can look like, we're ready too.

Let's make this movement impossible to ignore.

Conclusion

The journey toward truly inclusive travel isn't some distant destination—it's already happening in small pockets everywhere. Every step the industry takes toward understanding and accommodating neurodivergent needs brings us closer to a world where everyone can experience the joy of discovery without unnecessary barriers.

As neurodivergent travelers, we don't want special treatment. We want recognition that our needs are valid and that meeting them allows us to fully participate in and enjoy travel experiences. When those needs are met? We become your most loyal advocates.

The next era of travel is emerging – one that's softer, smarter, and built with everyone in mind. I hope this helps you feel a little less alone—and a lot more grounded in knowing change is possible.

With Calm,

Ashleigh

💌 If you're a traveler who needs more calm, subscribe to The Weekly Calm.

📩 If you're a brand who wants to do better, email [email protected].

Because the next era of travel? It's softer, smarter, and built for everyone.