ENAT - European Network for Accessible Tourism

CETA - Competitiveness for European Tourism for All

31/12/2008 | 0 comments

The 18-month CETA Project has been established by ENAT and its partners in the framework of the European Union's programme "...to support initiatives of public and private bodies, or their existing networks, to contribute to enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of European Tourism especially for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), while allowing for wider economic, social and environmental benefits to be gained.”
(European Commission, DG Enterprise and Industry, Tourism Unit, 2008).

The CETA project will be managed by the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) which is a multi-stakeholder, non-profit association registered in Belgium,  ENAT was established with the help of an EU grant from DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, in 2006 – 2007. ENAT is the only pan-European network for accessible tourism with members in all EU Member States. CETA will focus and extend ENAT’s SME activities by promoting tourism accessibility as an enabler of economic, social and environmental sustainability.

CETA will address the specific objective of making holidays available to all, as requested in the Call for Proposals. It should be emphasised that improving accessibility of tourism venues and services not only serves people who go on holidays! Better accessibility also contributes to tourism which is equitable and socially sustainable for business travellers, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism, Sports tourism and Cultural tourism, to name just a few relevant business areas.

CETA will draw on the networking expertise and technical resources of ENAT but will be a new and distinct project, focussed entirely on the objectives of Competitive and Sustainable Tourism (CST) for SMEs and Micro-enterprises. As such, CETA will have its own visual identity, its own website, an independent editorial board and an experienced team of researchers and business partners from Belgium, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK. Members of the CETA network will see their businesses benefit directly from information, networking opportunities, learning tools and methods, specially tailored to the needs of SMEs.

In keeping with the aims of the Call, the CETA partners will gather and share examples of good practice, delivering knowledge to SMEs on these and other related subjects:

• Competitive and sustainable tourism indicators and self-assessment tools for SMEs;
• Destination marketing and the role of SMEs: Public-private partnerships;
• Staff training programmes in sustainability and accessibility;
• Accessibility audits of tourism venues and accommodation;
• Adaptations to buildings and infrastructure; Equipment and supplies;
• Winning public procurement contracts for accessible, sustainable venues and services;
• City Guides, information and tourism marketing for SMEs;
• Eco-tourism for all.

Qualitative research will be conducted with SMEs to identify their needs and aspirations as well as their preparedness for overcoming barriers and adopting sustainable tourism practices.

Practical, tested tools will be offered online and in events to enhance the capabilities of SMEs throughout Europe to address the rapidly growing market segment of accessible tourism.

CETA Project Partners

• ENAT - European Network for Accessible Tourism, Belgium
• Slovenian National Tourist Association, Slovenia
• University of Surrey, School of Management, United Kingdom
• Tourism for All Sweden
• Vellinge Municipality, Sweden
• COIN, Italy 

New SMEs' Networking Web Site

We have opened a new, SME networking site for the CETA project at the following address: 
www.accessibletourism.ning.com

Please visit the site and join the network (- it's free!).
Tell us about yourself, your business and your interests.
And keep in touch, as the initiative takes off. 

CETA Project Contact: ENAT Secretariat