Meet Sonia Groot

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Sonia Groot again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Sonia, we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
I’m excited to be connecting again! For those who haven’t read my previous interview, I’m Sonia, an accessibility and inclusion advocate and the founder of GrootTravels, a travel platform specializing in accessible travel. My work is centered around making travel possible for everyone.

My journey into accessible travel is both personal and professional. Growing up with a mother who uses a wheelchair, I saw firsthand how unnecessarily complicated booking a simple trip could be. From unclear hotel descriptions to last-minute surprises that made travel stressful instead of exciting, it became clear to me that accessible travel isn’t difficult—it’s just often overlooked. That’s why I started GrootTravels: to change the narrative, bridge the gaps in accessibility, and make travel planning stress-free.

What sets GrootTravels apart is that we don’t just take “wheelchair accessible” at face value. We verify accommodations, request photos, ask the right questions, and customize every itinerary to fit the traveler’s specific needs. Whether it’s luxury travel, a culinary experience, or a family getaway, I ensure my clients don’t just go on vacation—they enjoy it without the usual stress of accessibility concerns.

My journey so far has been about breaking barriers and proving that accessibility isn’t a “niche” market—it’s an essential part of the travel industry that deserves attention. I’m looking forward to continuing this mission, growing my impact, and making the world more accessible, one trip at a time.

Alright, so our main goal today is to give our audience an update on what you have been up to since our last conversation. We’d love to hear how things are going and what you are most looking forward to or excited about these days.
Since our last conversation, a lot has happened, and my journey with GrootTravels has only grown in impact and direction. What started as a mission to make travel more accessible has now evolved into a movement, and I’m more determined than ever to break barriers in the travel industry.

One of the key milestones in 2024 was the creation of an accessible travel guide for Detroit, aimed at making the city more inclusive for travelers with disabilities.

Another major development has been the expansion of my work through two distinct brands:
• GrootTravels now focuses on raising awareness and educating the hospitality industry—helping hotels, tour operators, and travel providers understand what accessibility truly means and how they can improve their services.
• DiscoverAble, on the other hand, is dedicated exclusively to individual bookings, ensuring travelers have stress-free, accessible, and personalized experiences.

On a personal level, I’ve also taken the exciting step of returning to study for an Impact MBA, where I’m deepening my expertise in change management, sustainability, and scaling businesses with purpose. My goal is not just to assist individual travelers but also to develop large-scale solutions that integrate accessibility into the travel industry at every level.

Of course, challenges remain. Advocacy and change don’t happen overnight, and there’s still a long way to go in making accessibility a priority rather than an afterthought. But the wins keep me motivated—like hearing from a client that they traveled stress-free for the first time or seeing hotels implement better accessibility features after our discussions.

Right now, I’m most excited about expanding the reach of DiscoverAble and GrootTravels—whether through social media, public speaking, partnerships, or collaborations with brands committed to inclusivity.

The vision remains clear: accessible travel should not be a privilege—it should be the norm. And step by step, that’s exactly what I’m working toward.

We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.

Favorite Movie: Avatar: The Way of Water

Favorite Book: Harry Potter

Favorite TV Show: The office

Favorite Band or Artist: Beyonce

Sweet or Savory: Sweet

Mountains or Beach: Beach

Favorite Sport (to watch): I don’t watch sports

Favorite Sport (to play): Swimming

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Swimming and dance

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: Dolphin trainer

French Fries or Onion Rings: Onion rings

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: I don’t know these people

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Avatar the last Airbender

Favorite Childhood movie: The little mermaid

Favorite Breakfast Food: Poached eggs

What do you want people to remember about you and your brand? What are some of things that you feel are most important, unique, special, etc?
I want people to remember that accessible travel should be a given, not an afterthought. Travel is about freedom, exploration, and connection, and everyone deserves the opportunity to experience it without unnecessary obstacles.

Accessibility benefits everyone, not just those who need it right now. It makes life easier for parents with strollers, travelers with temporary injuries, older adults, and ultimately, all of us as we age. We may not know if or when we will need accessibility ourselves, but we do know that at some point, a loved one—whether it’s a parent, friend, or even ourselves—will.

That’s why normalizing accessibility in travel is so important. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about creating a world where travel is seamless for everyone, where no one has to struggle to find information, request basic accommodations, or feel like an afterthought in an industry built for the majority.

Travel should be about possibilities, not limitations—and that’s what I want my work to stand for.

Website: https://www.groottravels.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/discover_able

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniagroot

Other: https://www.discoverable.eu