Many of us love to travel, but for those with disabilities, finding ideal accommodations can be a daunting challenge. However, did you know there’s a company out there that helps people with disabilities find and book accessible travel options, hotels, and experiences? Alvaro Silberstein, the CEO of Wheel the World, is joining us on the latest episode of The Small Business Show.
Key Takeaways
1. Alvaro Silberstein’s journey began at 18 after a car accident left him a full-time wheelchair user with limited mobility. His passion for travel and personal experiences with accessibility challenges inspired him to create Wheel the World, a platform designed to make travel accessible for people with disabilities.
2. The idea for Wheel the World was born from a personal trip to Patagonia, Chile. Faced with a lack of accessibility information, Silberstein became the first wheelchair user to complete the W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. The viral story led to the realization that many people with disabilities shared similar travel aspirations and challenges, prompting the official launch of Wheel the World in 2018.
3. Wheel the World guarantees the accessibility of travel experiences by meticulously collecting detailed accessibility information for every listing on its platform. Users create personalized accessibility profiles, allowing the system to recommend suitable travel options. This comprehensive approach ensures customers can book confidently, knowing their specific needs will be met.
4. The platform offers travel options to over 200 destinations worldwide, including mainstream cities like New York, Miami, and London. It also offers unique experiences such as wheelchair-accessible tours in Machu Picchu and adaptive hikes in Zion National Park. Silberstein highlights Costa Rica as a favorite destination due to its beautiful nature and warm people.
5. Silberstein recently received the EDI Awards’ Techpreneur and Entrepreneur of the Year awards, recognizing his contributions to the disability community. Looking ahead, Wheel the World aims to expand its services to thousands of destinations, improve accessibility in the U.S. with local partnerships, and offer new experiences in places like Japan. Alvaro’s dedication to helping others travel freely and confidently drives the company’s ongoing growth and innovation.
"You never know what's possible for you until you try it. So try it, try it again, and try it again. Resilience is the number one characteristic an entrepreneur should have, and it always comes with rewards." – Alvaro Silberstein.
