This spring, Certu (the Centre for Studies on Urban planning, Transport and Public facilities, France) will publish a study about practices improving access for all in 11 European cities. This analysis is part of a comprehensive review led by Certu to identify interesting examples of accessibility practices in Europe.
London 20 January 2011. The most comprehensive business case for accessible tourism in England launches today. The booklet, entitled ‘At Your Service’, has been created through a joint partnership between the Government’s Accessible Tourism Stakeholder Forum and VisitEngland with the aim of inspiring tourism businesses to improve accessibility for customers in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games & Paralympic Games.
Accessible Travel Netherlands has been developed to raise awareness about the increasing need of information about access for tourists and to provide reliable information for visitors. This need comes especially from the rising numbers of tourist that might face a disability.
For people with physical disabilities one of the aspects that can turn a traveling experience into a more or less pleasant activity is the accessibility of the places, whether they are beaches or cultural destinations all over the world. ENAT member, Associação Salvadorhas created the online guide, www.portugalacessivel.com to facilitate the search for these accessible venues in Portugal.
VisitEngland, the national tourist board of England, has launched a new online tool aimed to help businesses cater better for visitors with access needs. VisitEngland requires any business that is part of the quality assessment schemes for accommodation and attractions to have an Access Statement.
In a first for New Zealand, The New Zealand Tourism Research Institute at Auckland University of Technology has created a Research Programme Area in Access Tourism, headed by Sandra Rhodda.
The Vice Minister for Trade and Tourism, Pilar Zorrilla, presided over the first seal award event, held in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The Accessible Seal is the result of the Accessibility Programme developed by the Department of Industry, Innovation, Trade and Tourism of the Basque Government which prepares businesses to orient their services to all visitors.
HORESTA, the Danish trade organisation for hotel, restaurant and tourist businesses which awards stars to the Danish Hotels, has published its new criteria and points system for 2010 onwards. One of the new elements that gives points for a hotel or conference centre, is whether the venue is a member of an accessibility labelling scheme.
This book of readings by Italian and international authors was prepared in 2010 by the Italian Institute of Tourism for All in order to provide an overview of historical developments, current trends and perspectives on the future of accessible tourism. The text is in Italian and English.
A slide presentation with the main results of a Study on EU accessible tourism standards, by Ivor Ambrose, Pilar Soret and Carolina Vicens given at the Fundación ONCE International Congress on Tourism for All, Valladolid, Spain, 26 November 2010.
A number of facilities are available to visitors with special access needs who wish to visit Cyprus. This guide describes the accessibility of hotels, attractions, museums, churches, restaurants, urban areas, beaches, nature trails and transportation.
This report, by Carlos Buj of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, Leeds Metropolitan University, aims to generate useful knowledge about the travel needs of people with limited mobility (PwLM) as well as to identify ongoing trends in the unexplored field of accessible tourism as an economic sector. The research carried out for this report is based on literature review, a questionnaire, case studies and interviews with experts. The findings are discussed and used to shape the final recommendations and conclusion.
