Listening to the world: How Vacayit is redefining accessible travel through audio

“I want to walk down the street and listen to the stories and sounds of the world around me, and I want access to accurate accessibility information about where I visit.” Hailey Brown, CEO at Vacayit, says these words, spoken by Henry, her avid traveller who is blind, did more than echo a desire. They sparked a revolution in accessible travel.  

Vacayit was born from a single conversation, yet it has grown into a platform that is transforming how we experience the world. Through immersive audio storytelling, it is proving that accessibility does not just benefit people with a disability; it enhances the experience for everyone.

Hailey had always worked in tourism, but until that day, she had not considered just how visual-centric the sector really is. “After a safari that left Henry disappointed because the guide kept saying things like ‘Look at the giraffe,’ I asked him what would have made it better,” she recalls. His response about yearning for stories and soundscapes rather than visuals planted the seed for what would become Vacayit.

Initially created for blind and low-vision travellers, Vacayit’s immersive audio content quickly found appeal far beyond that audience. Sighted users turned to it for screen-free experiences, neurodiverse travellers appreciated the sensory-friendly format, and people with disabilities valued the accurate accessibility information. “It has shown us that when you design with accessibility in mind, you create a better product for everyone,” Hailey says.

And the world is listening. With over 250,000 listens and collaborations with hundreds of tourism operators across Australia, and now the United States, Vacayit has become a movement.

Breaking barriers with sound and empathy

Building a tech company from scratch is daunting enough. Building one rooted in accessibility, a concept still misunderstood by much of the tourism sector, was another challenge entirely.

“In the early days, it was less about selling and more about educating. The key is meeting businesses where they are, without judgment, and offering them a roadmap forward,” Hailey explains. Accessibility had long been advocated for, but real change was minimal. That is slowly shifting thanks to passionate changemakers, technology, and policy support.  

“As for the tech side, I didn’t know what I didn’t know,” she admits. But by surrounding herself with experts and staying humble, Hailey has built a company that is as robust in its technology as it is in its mission.

Innovation with purpose

Vacayit is not just an app, it is an ecosystem. There is a user-facing app, a website version, and an API-powered audio player that tourism sites can brand and embed on their platforms.

More than that, Vacayit’s accessible audio player is among the few of its kind globally. It does not just tell stories, it gathers data. From what content users love to where they lose interest, it arms destinations with insights to improve.

“Looking ahead, we are expanding into 12 languages, building out our audio capabilities, and launching enhanced analytics tools specifically for the tourism sector,” says Hailey, while hinting at a major announcement in the pipeline.  

Without saying too much - but with the major announcement around the corner, here’s some extra information:  

We’re working on creating a product that helps tourism operators protect their valuable content from being absorbed by large language models (LLMs). At the same time, it enables them to leverage AI to stay ahead, giving them access to meaningful insights and data without compromising their intellectual property.

It should be out in a couple months!  

Integrating tech with humanity

While artificial intelligence (AI) is often touted as a silver bullet, Hailey is careful with how she implements it. AI helps analyse listening behaviour and scale narration through voice synthesis, but it does not touch the accessibility data. That comes from real conversations with operators, hotels, and users, ensuring accuracy that machines alone cannot offer.

“We’ve seen a number of SMEs transform their offering after working with Vacayit. One such example is the Q Train in Geelong and the Greater Bellarine region of Australia. They’ve implemented QR codes on the seats that link directly to our audio guide. It describes what the train is passing and what guests might see out the window. It’s simple, but powerful, especially for an experience that’s traditionally very visual. The Q Train also hosts blind and low vision travellers through operators like Cocky Guides, and the audio guides make the journey far more inclusive. This shows how a small change can make everyone not just included but truly considered,” says Hailey.

Empowering SMEs, the backbone of tourism

One of Vacayit’s greatest achievements is how it has empowered SMEs to embrace accessibility. Hailey and her team work hand-in-hand with operators to create two types of audio guides—short overviews that help travellers plan, and immersive audio experiences that enhance the visit itself.

The process is intentionally low-lift. From scripting to uploading, Vacayit’s team handles it all. Their tourism operators are paired with dedicated Customer Experience Managers who keep the content fresh and relevant.

“We know operators are stretched. We’ve designed Vacayit to be simple, affordable, and fast,” Hailey explains. For many businesses, it is the first step in their accessibility journey and tech space beyond booking platforms, and often the most transformative.

Hailey’s advice to SMEs is refreshingly practical. “It doesn’t matter how big the steps are, as long as you’re starting,” she says. She recommends creating a 3–5-year accessibility plan with scalable goals, from low-cost adjustments to long-term investments.

Most importantly, involve the people you are designing for. “Whether you’re creating content or improving your offering, co-designing with people who have lived experience is the key to making something that actually works,” she says.

The future of travel is inclusive

By 2030, 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. Today, over 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. The numbers alone demand that accessibility becomes a baseline, not a bonus.

Tourism policy is beginning to reflect this. Countries like South Korea are leading with ambitious national strategies, such as their long-term plan to transform some tourism sites into accessible destinations.

“Visit Flanders in Belgium is another example. They have created one of the most comprehensive accessibility ecosystems in Europe. They apply universal design principles to all visitor experiences, offer centralised funding for infrastructure upgrades, and have developed a transparent accessibility labelling system (A and A+). They also ensure a high standard for inclusive communication, and information is communicated in multiple formats such as audio, braille, sign language, and large print,” says Hailey.

But real transformation will come from SMEs. “They make up the majority of the sector, and can move fast and authentically,” she says. With the help of tools like audio and AI, these businesses can lead the charge toward inclusive travel.

For accessibility to become the norm, not the niche, Hailey argues that sector-wide shifts are necessary. One of the most pressing global gaps in tourism lies in procurement. Public funds are routinely allocated to tourism infrastructure, events, and campaigns, yet accessibility is rarely a required condition. To drive systemic change, accessibility must become a prerequisite for receiving such investments.

This shift calls for a move beyond short-term awareness campaigns toward long-term funding models tied to measurable outcomes. Short, year-long accessible tourism initiatives are great for visibility but often lack continuity. What is needed is sustained funding, coupled with practical support for SMEs, to enable lasting impact.

“We also need global consistency in accessibility standards for tourism operators. There should be clear expectations around the type of information venues must provide, such as physical access features, sensory considerations, transport options, and service availability. Guidance should also cover the content formats needed to ensure inclusive experiences, such as visual materials, audio, multi-lingual options, and accessible graphics. Crucially, these standards must be realistic, affordable, and supported by tools and templates to make compliance achievable,” says Hailey.

Traditional metrics such as spend, visitor volume, and overnight stays tell only part of the story. “We need to start tracking inclusive participation rates about who is being left out of travel, and why. Without this data, tourism systems will continue to cater to the same groups, leaving others behind,” adds Hailey.

As a young founder and CEO of a purpose-driven company, Hailey’s biggest lesson has been that consistency earns trust. Whether it is with users, partners, or staff, she believes long-term impact is built on relationships that are nurtured, not rushed.

“You’ll meet three kinds of customers: your heroes, who get your vision right away and become your loudest champions; your followers, who need to see traction before they commit, and your nevers, who won’t ever work with you. Understanding who’s who early on helps you lead with clarity, avoid burnout, and focus where you can create momentum,” says Hailey.

Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

1) Validate before you build: Before launching anything, take time to truly understand customers. Speak to them, join conferences, ask questions, and listen. The travel sector is vocal about its needs if you pay close attention.

2) Design with lived experience at the centre: It is easy to get caught up in the mechanics of building, but what matters is how your product feels in real life. Prioritise accessibility from day one. Involve people with disabilities directly in the design process.

3) Start scrappy, move fast: Launch lean, stay flexible, and adapt quickly as impact comes from momentum.

In a sector that still largely prioritises luxury and aesthetics, Hailey’s mission is a powerful reminder that the most unforgettable journeys are not always seen, they are heard, felt, and shared. And maybe the future of travel will not be defined by what we see, but by how we choose to listen.

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