Mesa, Arizona Wins Silver for Accessible Destination of the Year at London’s JRNY America Awards 2024

Recognized for Excellence in Inclusive Travel, Mesa Leads U.S. Destinations in Accessibility Initiatives

MESA, Ariz. (November 7, 2024) – Mesa, Arizona was awarded Silver in the Accessible Destination of the Year category at the JRNY America Awards 2024, held at The National Liberal Club in London on October 24th. Mesa was recognized among other forward-thinking destinations including Orlando, San Antonio, Miami, Los Angeles, New York City, New Orleans and more.

According to JRNY Travel Magazine, the JRNY America Awards honors the destinations, experiences and organizations that have made traveling across the United States extraordinary. The prestigious awards celebrate excellence across a wide range of categories and highlights the creativity, dedication, and innovation that define the U.S. travel and tourism industry.

Mesa, Arizona, recognized in the Accessible Destination of the Year category, continues to lead the way in inclusive travel. Mesa was the first-ever Autism Certified City in the country, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). In the five years since receiving this designation, Mesa had 50 businesses and 7,921 community members complete autism-specific training. Visit Mesa was also the first U.S. destination to adopt the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program and most recently became the first city worldwide to receive the Destination Verified Seal from Wheel the World, an inclusive online booking platform for travelers with disabilities.  

“We are proud that Mesa was recognized for this prestigious award. Mesa is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive destination where all travelers feel welcomed and empowered,” said Marc Garcia, President and CEO of Visit Mesa. “With support from our community, we will continue to innovate and expand our accessibility initiatives. Visitors to Mesa can expect an environment enjoyable for everyone and a destination that can be explored without limits.”

Visit Mesa also supports a variety of other programs aimed at improving the travel experience for individuals with disabilities. These include Aira, a guided visual interpretation service, and Threshold 360 virtual tours and AbleVu, which allow visitors to explore locations online before arriving.

For more information on the JRNY America Awards and to view the full list of winners, visit  JRNYmag.com. Learn more about Visit Mesa’s mission to become the most accessible city at VisitMesa.com. 

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Visit Mesa is the official destination marketing organization responsible for positioning and promoting Mesa, Arizona, as a top regional destination for leisure and business travel. Learn more about Visit Mesa and its mission to promote the value and vitality of Mesa’s visitor economy to create a better community at VisitMesa.com.  

MEDIA CONTACT:  
Zoey Shircel, Communications Manager, Visit Mesa 
Direct: 480-682-3654, E-mail: [email protected]