Increasingly, tourism researchers are questioning how tourism, and its inquiry, might drive an agenda for a more inclusive, responsible, and sustainable future. In New Zealand, this too is the case; however, the nature of tourism considerations remains overwhelmingly environment-centric and largely devoid of a social imperative. Destination management organisations, with significant involvement in, and influence over, the management and marketing of New Zealand, need to prioritise accessibility to remain competitive, especially given the changing demography of domestic and major inbound visitor markets. Despite local accessibility champions calling for strategic leadership in this space, there remains no coherent or coordinated strategy relating to accessible tourism development in New Zealand. While we, as tourism researchers, seek to provide appropriate knowledge and direction, the New Zealand tourism industry does not always have awareness of, or access to, such research, and if they do, can raise conflicting views and concerns. Equally, ableist attitudes may prevail. This paper reveals findings of our study that sought to identify the perspectives and priorities identified by 16 destination management organisations in New Zealand to establish a research agenda for accessible tourism development. The study thus provides an important first step in guiding future research projects and industry initiatives that can further the aim to address the current inequality and inaccessibility of tourism. We critically discuss the tensions between academic research, its systems, and conventions, and how we as tourism researchers, may effect meaningful change to enable social transformation among the industry and society at large.