Available for Interviews: Christopher Elliott
Christopher Elliott is an author, advocate, and journalist. He writes six weekly columns about customer service, with a special emphasis on travel and technology. His work reaches more than 10 million readers a week. You
have likely read his work in USA Today or Forbes.
What Travel Expert and Consumer Advocate, Christopher Elliot, could say about Disability Fakers in the travel and hospitality industries:
From bogus service animals to feigned injuries, the travel industry is filled with fakers. –Chris Elliott
Travel companies, and particularly airlines, often make the trip so uncomfortable that passengers feel justified in being untruthful. But it’s time to rein in the fake disability problem as it hurts the people who do live with disabilities every day.
Talking Points / Questions to Explore on Cruise Travel:
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- What are some of the most incredible stories around the dishonesty of some travelers?
- From bogus wheelchair users who can sometimes be seen skipping off the plane upon arrival to their destination, to people who abuse the law around an individual’s right to travel with an “emotional support animal,” just so they can bring their pet aboard a flight free of charge, where does the unethical behavior end?
- What are the implications of the federal law that prevents hotel staff from asking for proof of a person’s disability?
- How can we protect those with disabilities that may not be obvious?
- Is it a PR nightmare to call into question one’s assertion of a disability?
- Could this problem be an opportunity for the airline and hotel industries to improve customer satisfaction which could help prevent these faking shenanigans in the first place?
- How can people with REAL disabilities be ensured the special accommodations they require or need for comfortable or safer travel?
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Read Christopher Elliott’s recent full USA article here:
Travelers Need to Stop Faking Disabilities. It’s Hurting People Who DO Have Them
Interview: Christopher Elliott
Christopher Elliott, author of two books which are practical guides that help people make smarter purchases: How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler (And Save Time, Money and Hassle) (National Geographic) and Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals (Wiley). He founded two nonprofit organizations for consumers. Elliott Advocacy is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers people to solve their problems and helps those who can’t. Elliott.org helps readers through direct advocacy, journalism on an ad-free website and maintaining the largest database of executive contact information on the Internet. He also co-founded Travelers United, a nonprofit organization that works in Washington to help travelers. Elliott also writes six weekly columns that have a combined reach of 10 million readers, including The Washington Post, USA Today, and Forbes, and his articles can be seen in newspapers and magazines across the country.
In addition to being a nationally-recognized expert on customer service, Elliott is an inveterate traveler. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, photography, and scuba diving. His weekly family travel column for USA Today chronicles his never-ending journey around the world with his three children. Elliott is based in Prescott, Arizona.
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