This guide has been prepared for various reasons, starting with the strategic importance of tourism for the EU. As the third largest EU economic sector, tourism has indeed a wide-ranging impact on economic growth, employment and social development. Updated version 2015.
The Italian version of “ECA 2013 – European Concept for Accessibility. Design for all in progress. From theory to practice” is now available. It has been realised by the Consorzio Sociale Coin in Rome and contains a foreword by the Italian Minister of Labour and Social Policies. The document has already been translated to German and Serbian from its original English version.
On 6 June 2014 the European Commission, DG Enterprise and Industry, Tourism and Cultural Instruments Unit held a conference for tourism stakeholders where the results of three specially commissioned studies on Tourism Accessibility in Europe were presented and discussed by a distinguished panel of tourism practitioners and stakeholders. Speakers' presentations are available for download on this page in PDF format.
This special issue is designed to examine the intersection of disability and tourism that has seen the development of the emerging field of Accessible Tourism. Abstracts are invited exploring current theoretical approaches, foundations and issues in the study of Accessible Tourism from a futures perspective.
Tourism suppliers who have made the effort to cater for visitors with access needs may not always have tools at hand to publicise their accessible services. Now Pantou provides a free document template and guidance notes to help suppliers make a reliable, factual description of their accessible services and facilities.
At MITA International Meeting for Accessible Tourism OF GITANDO.ALL - The basis for the development of accessible tourism and leading European tourism.
(Madrid, Spain, 26 February 2014). The protection of children from all forms of exploitation, the fight against trafficking, anti-poaching and accessible tourism for all are among the work priorities defined by the newly formed World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE). The Committee met at UNWTO headquarters to identify the major challenges facing responsible tourism and define its Action Plan for the coming four years.
AIPD, Italy, in partnership with the National Down Syndrome Ireland and the Associação Portuguesa de Portadores de Trissomia 21, developed three 'easy-reading' guidebooks for visitors to three European capitals: Rome, Dublin and Lisbon.