Germany: CDU/CSU Bundestag Group Submits Motion to Promote Barrier-Free Tourism

A coalition of the CDU and CSU parties introduced a motion in the German Bundestag on 4 March 2009 with the aim of promoting and strengthening the barrier-free design of public infrastructure and the provision of transport services, so as to encourage more accessible tourism offers throughout the country.

The chairman of the Tourism Working Group of the CDU / CSU Bundestag, Klaus Brähmig MP, the responsible rapporteur Jürgen Klimke MP and the Commissioner of the Disability Group, Hubert Hüppe MdB made their proposal, adding: "Accessibility is a quality characteristic of Germany tourism".

The catering and accommodation facilities programme of the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau is cited as a possible means of raising awareness about the production or improvement of accessibility. In addition, the motion calls for the examination of possibilities for establishing uniform and mandatory terms and pictograms as well as a nationwide "comfort label".

Barrier-free offers are not limited to people with disabilities but also apply to families with small children and prams and the elderly, stated the CDU/CSU group. Many tourism operators have in recent years increasingly focused on mobility and have created exemplary services for guests. Nonetheless, particularly people with disabilities still experience a variety of problems in the planning and implementation of their travel. There is still a need for further action to improve infrastructure of transport, hotels and restaurants, the networking and marketing of existing services and the qualifications of employees.

Further information is available in German at the CDU / CSU Webpage.