News | ENAT

Accessible Holidays in Spain

Ivor Ambrose — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:40:01 GMT

Viajes AcceSIbles reports on 'Holidays for All' in Spain this summer.

Over 1,000 people with physical and intellectual disabilities, mental illness and autism disorders will enjoy accessible holidays this summer thanks to the Viajes AcceSIbles reservations-for-all web-site.

The Viajes 2000 agency’s tourist web-site aims to promote the social inclusion of disabled persons and their families through a wide variety of tourism and leisure offers.

This year’s national destinations offered by Viajes AcceSIbles include the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote), Balearic Islands (Ibiza and Majorca), Catalonia (Barcelona and Salou), Asturias (La Isla and Villaviciosa), Galicia (Sanxenxo and Cuntis), Andalusia (Almuñécar, Roquetas de Mar and Alcossebre) and the Levante coast (Peñíscola, Benidorm, La Manga and Gandía).

There are also foreign destinations, such as Budapest, Egypt or Prague.

More specifically, people from the disabled world are participating in this inclusive initiative this year, such as the Spanish Autism Confederation, ASPACE (for sufferers of cerebral palsy) and FEAFES (relatives and sufferers of mental illness).

About Viajes AccesSIbles

We have developed a new brand with our own product for the service of disabled people, travelling either individually or as a group.

Our added Value:

Visiting and checking accessible accommodation.
Accessible products and programmes for individuals & groups.
Different accessible ways / options of booking.
Know-how about the needs of persons with disabilities.

Our website is the first accessible website (complying with access rating WAI-AA), where blind people and people with difficulties using the mouse will be able to buy online touristic products in an independent way . It is directly connected to a booking engine for reservation of tourism products.

Viajes 2000 / Viajes AccesSIbles is an ENAT Member

Add Your Voice to the Leeds Metropolitan University Accessible Tourism Survey

Ivor Ambrose — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:11:57 GMT

This survey reviews the specific needs of travellers using a wheelchair or other mobility aids or those who simply experience some form of mobility limitation.

The data collected will be used for the thesis I am preparing as part of the requirements for my MSc in Responsible Tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK, where I am working under supervision of Dr Simon Woodward.

Please answer if you, or a person you often travel with, experience mobility problems when travelling.

This questionnaire is completely anonymous and the findings will be used for my academic research only.

At the end of this survey you can leave your email address if you would like to have a copy of the final report and if you are happy for me to send you some follow up questions. Thank you!

Carlos

Open the Online Survey page

You can contact us for any questions or concerns:

Mr Carlos Buj
Email: correoacarlos@gmail.com

Dr Simon Woodward
Telephone +44 113 8125880
Email S.C.Woodward@leedsmet.ac.uk

European Passengers' Rights - a New Campaign Takes Off

Ivor Ambrose — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:58:27 GMT

This summer the European Commission has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of passengers' rights. Although the European Union has made great strides in establishing common passenger rights for those travelling by air or rail, not every European is yet aware of what he or she is entitled to. This campaign sets out to make all air and rail passengers aware of what rights they enjoy under European legislation and how to make use of them.

This summer the European Commission has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of passengers' rights.

Although the European Union has made great strides in recent years in establishing common passenger rights for those travelling by air or rail, not every European is yet aware of what he or she is entitled to.

This campaign sets out to make all air and rail passengers aware of what rights they enjoy under European legislation and how to make use of them.

ENAT is an Official Partner of the EU Passengers' Rights Campaign

Why now?

In the summer holiday season, millions of Europeans will be travelling by plane and train in search of some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Being aware of their rights will prevent many problems for air and rail passengers.

How will it work?

The campaign is being conducted in all of the EU's official 23 languages so that people will be able to be informed about their rights in their mother tongue. Posters and leaflets will be available progressively from the end of June at airports and train stations in all 27 Member States.

In addition there is a website with more information at
http://ec.europa.eu/passenger-rights.

Watch the video

Watch this 6-minute video about the rights of air and rail passengers with a disability or reduced mobility. (English text and subtitles).
To view the video in any other EU languages, follow this link

Air Passenger Rights

Why were air passenger rights introduced?

Since the early 1990s travelling by plane has taken off significantly. However, this rapid growth has also led to some inconveniences, which have often affected passengers.
Faced with these developments, the EU has been working since 1991 to guarantee equal basic rights for all passengers by developing EU legislation to apply in all European Union countries.

In February 2005, EC Regulation 261/ 2004 came into effect. This Regulation establishes common rules on compensation and assistance to air passengers in certain situations. This legislation applies to passengers departing from airports situated within the territory of a Member State and to all those arriving into such airports from a third country where the flight is operated by a European carrier.

What rights do air passengers with a disability or reduced mobility have?

Under EU legislation people with disabilities and/or reduced mobility are protected from being discriminated during reservation and boarding. They are also entitled to receive assistance at airports (on departure, on arrival and in transit) and on board airplanes. In order to facilitate the provision of assistance, it is recommended to pre-notify your needs.

Which are the basic rights?

When a flight is disrupted, passengers are entitled to:

receive information from airlines (e.g. on your rights, on the situation as it evolves, cancellations and length of delays)
choose between reimbursement of ticket price or be re-routed to final destination, (attention: for long delays, this right is applicable only for delays of more than five hours)
receive appropriate care (refreshments, meals, accommodation or transportation to and from the airport as appropriate), while awaiting re-routing or in case of long delays, (depending on the length of the flight, for instance, two hours of delay for flights of 1500 kilometers or less, or three hours for all intra-community flights).

What happens when a flight gets overbooked?

When a flight is overbooked, airlines are obliged to first seek for volunteers ready to give up their reservation in exchange for certain benefits (for example air miles, or vouchers, or money, or the right to extra-ticket, or to be upgraded in a different flight). In addition the air carrier must always offer volunteers the choice between a full refund of their previous reservation or a re-routing.

Passengers may be entitled to compensation of between €250 and €600 depending on the distance of the flight and the delays experienced before being re-routed.
Whenever the re-routing is chosen, the airline must provide the passengers having volunteered for it all the necessary assistance, e.g. some food and drinks, access to a phone, an overnight stay if necessary and, if appropriate, transportation between the airport and the place of accommodation.

What happens when a flight gets cancelled?

Passengers are also entitled to a compensation identical to that offered when they are denied boarding, unless they were informed at least 14 days in advance of the flight, or if they can be rerouted close to their original departure timing, or if the airline can prove that the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances. In addition the airline must offer passengers the choice between:

reimbursement, within seven days, of the ticket price or of the unused parts of the ticket, when appropriate.
re-routing to the final destination under similar transport conditions, including through other air carriers or other transport modes .

If necessary, passengers awaiting re-rerouting are entitled to appropriate care (phone call, refreshments, food, accommodation, transportation to the accommodation).

What happens if there are long delays?

If the flight suffers a delay of three hours or more, passengers may be entitled to a compensation identical to that offered when the flight gets cancelled, unless the airline can prove that the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances. Additionally, airlines can be held liable for damages resulting from delays.

Passengers are entitled to appropriate care by the airline (phone call, refreshments, meal, accommodation, transportation to the place of accommodation) if the delay is

two hours or more for flights of 1500 km or less
three hours or more for longer flights within the EU or for flights outside the EU of between 1500 and 3500 km
four hours or more for flights of over 3500 km outside the EU

If the delay is more than five hours, and passengers decide not to continue their journey, they are entitled to have their ticket reimbursed and be flown back to where they originally started their journey.

What happens if baggage gets lost, damaged or delayed?

If baggage gets lost, damaged or delayed, passengers may be entitled to compensation limited to about €1220.
For damaged baggage, passengers must lodge a claim to the airline within seven days of receiving their baggage.
For delayed receipt of baggage, the claim must be lodged within 21 days

Are air passengers entitled to know who they will be flying with?

Passengers must be informed in advance about which airline is operating their flight. Airlines found to be unsafe are banned or restricted within the European Union.
They are listed at: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/

What about package holidays?

The organisers and retailers of package holidays are obliged to provide precise, complete information about booked package holidays. They are obliged to honour contractual terms and to protect passengers in the event of insolvency. Package tour operators must give accurate information on the holiday booked, comply with contractual obligations and protect passengers in the case of the organiser's insolvency.

What rights do air passengers have when buying their tickets?

According to EU legislation, when purchasing air fares within the EU, the applicable conditions should be made clear to the buyer. The final price to be paid should be indicated at all times and should include the applicable air fare, as well as applicable taxes, charges, surcharges and fees which are unavoidable and foreseeable at the time of publication. It should also show the breakdown between the fare, the taxes, the airport charges and finally the other charges, surcharges and fees. Optional price supplements should be communicated in a clear, transparent and unambiguous way at the start of the booking process and the acceptance of them should be on an "opt-in" basis.

What if airlines do not accept this, or if they will not apply the rights I have?

If you have problems claiming your passenger rights you need to complain – firstly to the air carrier and if you are still dissatisfied with its answer, then to the competent national body.

Furthermore, passengers can always address themselves to the competent court, i.e. by first having resort to the small claim procedure that may exist in a Member State or the European small claim procedure. This European small claim procedure aims to accelerate the settlement, simplify procedures and reduce the costs in civil and commercial cross-border disputes where the value of a claim does not exceed € 2,000.This procedure works on the basis of standard forms. It is a written procedure unless an oral hearing is considered necessary by the court. It works between all Member States of the European Union with the exception of Denmark.

More information on European small claims procedure can be found on the Commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/judicialatlascivil/html/sc_information_en.htm?countrySession=4&

If you need more information on your EU rights and how to access them?

Travellers affected by the situation are advised to contact their airlines or travel agents first.
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/passengers/air/doc/national_enforcement_bodies.pdf

For information you can contact a European Consumer Centre (ECC) in any country and/or any national consumer organisation.

Full contact details for ECCs for all countries and links to national websites can be found at
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc/index_en.htm

There is also a Europe Direct phone line – advertised on posters in many airports throughout Europe where you can also get more information.
Telephone: 00800 6 7 8 9 10 11

For more information on your rights visit the website:
apr.europa.eu

Contact:
Helen Kearns : Telephone +32.2.298.76.38 helen.kearns@ec.europa.eu
Dale Kidd : Telephone +32.2.295.74.61 dale.kidd@ec.europa.eu

Launch of the Access●City Award. EU Calls for Entries from Across Member States

Ivor Ambrose — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:49:00 GMT

Brussels, 27 July 2010 – The European Commission announces the launch of “Access●City Award”, the first European Award for Accessible Cities. This annual award aims to highlight the European cities that are taking the most effective and innovative action to improve their accessibility for disabled citizens.

It will celebrate and showcase the most successful initiatives that allow people with disabilities to participate fully in society. Accessibility is not difficult to implement, this is the initiative’s key message.

Local city authorities are encouraged to submit their application before 23 September 2010.

Judging

Judging will take place in two phases, with a pre-selection at the national level being followed by a competition at the European level. In the European competition phase, the finalists will be selected to attend the award ceremony in Brussels, which will coincide with the European Day of People with Disabilities Conference on 2-3 December 2010.

Approximately 80 million Europeans have disabilities. 16% of them are of working age, whilst almost 70% are over 60. As disability is so closely linked to ageing, it is likely to affect everyone at some point in their life. Accessibility is therefore a key element of the European Union’s disability policy.

The EU regards accessibility for all of its citizens to public buildings, transportation, information and communications to be essential in order to ensure sustainable economic and social benefits in the long term.

In addition, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, accessibility will remain at the core of the new EU Disability Strategy 2010-2020.

Eligibility

Local city authorities in EU Member States and candidate countries (Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland and Turkey) as well as networks of cities or organisations are invited to apply.

Participating cities should have a population of at least 50,000 inhabitants. However, cities with fewer inhabitants from smaller Member States will also be eligible. To be considered, initiatives must have been implemented within the past five years.

All entries will need to cover all areas below:

Built environment and public spaces
Transport and related infrastructure
Information and communications
Facilities and services open to the public

About the award

The winner of the competition will be recognised as the “Winner of the Access●City Award 2011” and will feature prominently in all activities aiming to promote accessibility at the European level during 2011. The applications from each country will be reviewed by national juries composed of representatives from the

National Disability Councils, from the national administration, as well as accessibility experts. The winner will be selected by a European jury.
In addition, a special “European Champion for Accessible Cities Award” will also be launched. This special award will be granted to a network of cities or organisations with outstanding results in the field of accessibility. The selection will be done by a European Jury and will be based on nominations from the National Disability Councils.

How to apply

All applications need to be submitted before 23 September in English (preferably), French or German using the entry form available at www.accesscityaward.eu.

All participants are asked to provide details and evidence of the activities they have implemented.

In applying for the Access●City Award, cities commit to serve as an example – if they are selected – in annual European activities in the field of accessibility.

Additional details are available at the European Commission webpage: www.accesscityaward.eu.

Download the complete text of the European Cities Award from the right-hand panel in PDF or WORD format.
(Note, this is unofficial compilation taken from the City Awards Website by ENAT on 29/7/2010 and may be subject to changes).

A Leaflet, Invitation text to Cities and this Press Release may also be downloaded in PDF format.

Visit our new ENAT Webpage for Accessible Cities

- and publicise your access achievements on your own ENAT webpage.

New not-for-profit hotel group targets accessible travel in UK

Ivor Ambrose — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:02:53 GMT

A new not-for-profit hotel group has been launched in the UK, specialising in accessible travel. Re-branded as Vision Hotels, the group’s four AA three-star hotels are run by national charity Action for Blind People and are already equipped with all the needs for disabled guests, as well as families and couples.

Windermere Manor Hotel. The Vision Hotels Group.

A new not-for-profit hotel group has been launched in the UK, specialising in accessible travel.

Re-branded as Vision Hotels, the group’s four AA three-star hotels are run by national charity Action for Blind People and are already equipped with all the needs for disabled guests, as well as families and couples. As a not-for-profit group, all the money is ploughed back into the hotels.

“The charity has operated the hotels for many years and some time ago we wanted to market them to people with disabilities, so we rebranded” Head of Vision Hotels Paul Morrison told Travel Daily. “Because our hotels have the facilities and are fully-accessible it makes commercial sense to market them this way”.

Although the group is not exclusive to accessible tourism, each hotel features a range of facilities for different guests.

“If you benchmark our facilities to other accessible hotels then they are the same, including flat level access and wide-fitting doors,” said Morrison. “We are different because as Heritage properties, we have tonal contrasts between the walls and floors, which is more pleasing for visually impaired guests. There is also special tactile flooring so people can feel the difference underfoot.”

Other facilities include liquid level indicators, information in various formats and a place for pet and guide dogs.

New Website

The group has also launched a new website, which was custom-built to help visually-impaired users. “Lots of leading hotels have websites that are not DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) certified and these are not suitable for some users,” said Morrison. “We have set up our website from scratch which meets the criteria and we have invested in online booking solutions to meet our client base.” Through the new booking system, users can change the size of font or background colours to their needs.

Looking towards the future, Morrison said the group has no plans to acquire new properties yet as a lot of money has been invested into the website and rebranding. However, it is looking to train agents in accessible tourism and build its available resources.

“We work with Creative Travel in Devon and all its staff has gone through visual awareness training so they can manage clients needs better,” he revealed. “We feel we have a lot of information to give the industry so we will be looking to develop those.”

Visit the website of Vision Hotels

Magnetic Europe: Big plans for tourism industry

Ivor Ambrose — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:16:12 GMT

Commission's new strategy for stimulating tourism in Europe – to realise the full potential of an industry that already plays an important role in the economy.

The Commission's new strategy for stimulating tourism in Europe has been published in a new Communication, aiming to realise the full potential of an industry that already plays an important role in the economy.

The commission’s tourism development plan features 21 proposals, many aimed at attracting more visitors to Europe from fast-developing countries like China, Russia and Brazil. But it also spells out ways to increase travel within the EU, including greater coordination of school holidays to lengthen the holiday season.

“The European Commission wants to be a trailblazer working to breathe new life into this vital sector,” Antonio Tajani, commissioner for industry and entrepreneurship, told a news conference.

Tourism generates more than 5% of the EU’s GDP. The industry employs about 9.7 million people – 5.2% of the workforce. Europe attracts more visitors than any other region, with five EU countries among the top 10 destinations last year.

But Europe faces growing competition, especially from Asia and South America. The sector is also under pressure from population ageing and climate change – and continues to be plagued by seasonal ups and downs.

The commission is proposing a label scheme to give recognition to high-quality services. It also plans to establish a charter with criteria for sustainable tourism and award a prize to destinations that meet them.

To promote travel and tourism, it will encourage better use of technology – including centralised booking services accessible via mobile phone – and more theme-based tourism (spas, gastronomic excursions, sports vacations, et cetera).

The EU also has to put more effort into making tourist sites accessible to people with reduced mobility, along with adjusting services to an older clientele.

Last year, with the economy in a slump, the number of tourists visiting Europe dropped about 6% compared with 2008. Other regions also posted declines, Africa being a notable exception.

Download the Communication in English from the right-hand panel.

The Museu Nacional do Azulejo in Lisbon is now accessible for all its visitors

Ivor Ambrose — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:25:44 GMT

The opening ceremony of the works to improve the accessibility of the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum) – sponsored by the Salvador Association, with the support of the patrons Banco Espírito Santo and SEMAPA – was held on 14th April 2010.

Photo of the Museum / Museu Nacional do Azulejo

The opening ceremony of the works to improve the accessibility of the

Museu Nacional do Azulejo sponsored by the Salvador Association, with the support of the patrons Banco Espírito Santo and SEMAPA was held on 14th April 2010.

The ceremony was attended by personalities including Salvador Mendes de Almeida, president of the Salvador Association; Maria Antónia Pinto de Matos, Director of the Museu do Azulejo; Luís Pinho Lopes, Office Director of the State Secretary of Culture; João Carlos Brigola y Graça Filipe, Manager and Deputy Manager of the of the Institute of the Museums and Conservation.

After the initial discourses, there was a guided visit through the Museum in which all attendees - approximately 15 of them in wheelchairs – could appreciate the exposition, enjoying the newly accessible facilities.

The project of adaptation for the accessibility of Museu Nacional do Azulejo, located in a Monastery founded by Queen Leonor in 1509 and one of the bigger works in Portuguese religious architecture, has been carried out under the management of ProASolutions.pt.

ASSOCIACAO SALVADOR is an ENAT Member

Successful Celebration of the 5th European Greenways Conference (Madrid)

Ivor Ambrose — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:08:41 GMT

The 5th European Greenways Conference held in Madrid from the 10th to the 12th of June brought together more than 160 people from 12 countries, focussing on pathways and cycling routes. Participants included policy makers and experts from European Greenways, European tourism authorities and representatives of State and community governments involved in planning, building, maintenance, management and promotion.

Photo: Dignitaries at the Greenways Conference.

The 5th European Greenways Conference held in Madrid from the 10th to the 12th of June brought together more than 160 people from 12 countries, focussing on pathways and cycling routes.

Participants included policy makers and experts from European Greenways, European tourism authorities and representatives of State and community governments involved in planning, building, maintenance, management and promotion.

The Conference was organized by the Spanish Railways Foundation (FFE) and the European Greenways Association (EGWA) and was sponsored by ADIF (Spain), Spanish Biodiversity Foundation (Spain), ONCE Foundation (Spain), the Interministerial Coordination for the Development of Cycling of the Ministry of Sustainable Development (France) and the Walloon Region (Belgium) with the collaboration of other entities and national and international agencies.

Spanish Public Works Minister, José Blanco, inaugurated the Conference, and began by recalling that since 1993 the Spanish Government is working on the development of Greenways in order to obtain the maximum historical, social and environmental use of these former railway lines. Ever since, greenways are being enhanced as a tool for promoting a new leisure and sport culture and non-motorized mobility. He also stressed that "Greenways are a great source of wealth and job creation in the rural areas they cross. Creating and promoting a greenway contributes to the establishment of population in rural areas."

During the opening ceremony, the director of "New Approach Industries, Tourism and CSR" of the DG of Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission, Pedro Ortún, stressed that the aim of the Conference and the Greenways Programs fully fits the European model of sustainable tourism in its three dimensions: economic, social and environmental. President of ADIF, Antonio González, explained the role that ADIF has had all over the seventeen years since the establishment of the first greenway. Also, the regional representative for Europe of the World Tourism Organization, Eduardo Fayos, insisted on the fact that Greenways are a great bet for a new tourism model to be promoted in the coming years, for being linked to sustainable rural development.

These personalities were accompanied by President of the European Greenways Association (EGWA), Gilbert Perrin, and the managing director of the Spanish Railways Foundation (SRF), Jaime Barreiro.

After the opening ceremony the issue of the European dimension of Greenways was addressed by Pedro Ortún, director of Tourism of the European Commission, who announced that a new model of European policy on tourism is being prepared. Greenways will contribute to this new model, not only in helping to achieve the objectives in tourism, but also the objectives of the European Strategy for 2020. He also presented a new call of the Prize of destinations of excellence, and stressed: "I hope to see some winners amongst Spanish Greenways or other member country Greenways."

Photo of Green Route, Spain. Sanitas / Fundación Tambien

During the first session several examples of National Greenway Programs were presented: Spain, with 1.800 kms of greenways along disused railways tracks, the Portuguese “Ecopistas” promoted by the national railways company REFER, and the ambitious French Plan for a cycling trails and greenways network.

As part of the second session of the conference, representatives of railway companies from Italy, Belgium, Spain and Mexico, presented Greenways as elements of heritage preservation and new uses for rail infrastructures. Another major issue of the Conference was undoubtedly tourist promotion of these routes, for which several presentations were developed, including one on the jointly promotion of all the routes done in Spain by the Spanish Railway Foundation (SRF), another on tourism certification model tied to Greenways in the Czech Republic, and two examples of the French case related with tools for promotion given by users association, and the strategic plan in Brittany.

During the last session of the day the role of greenways in networks and long-distance routes was raised, with examples like the Natural Trails Plan of the Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, with a planned investment for the works launched in 2009 of 13 million € and an additional investment of 9'9 million € for the maintenance of these routes. It is important to underline the support of the European Parliament representative, Michael Cramer, to these initiatives and his presentation of the "Iron Curtail Trail”, which runs along the disappeared European Iron Curtain.

Ambitious Eurovelo project, and its complementation with Greenways was present by the European Cycling Federation; also the trans-border program in the Walloon Region with specific examples of greenways connecting neighbouring countries. It was clear that Greenways and European cycle route network do not understand about borders, and are also a wonderful opportunity to create links between territories and populations, and so to build a better Europe.

Friday morning was devoted to analysis of the social and economic benefits of greenways, with interesting contributions as those made by the president of the International Federation of Pedestrians, who particularly stressed the importance of considering the needs of pedestrians in all mobility projects benefiting citizens. The representative of the World Health Organization stressed the importance of physical activity for healthy living habits and informed on the methodology and systems developed to quantify this importance.

Regarding economic impact, very convincing data on the Danube bike path was presented. In 2008 there were 838 direct and 1,400 indirect jobs created along the most popular par, running 340 kilometres from Passau to Vienna.

Regarding the Girona Greenways (about 120 km in total length) there are 1.5 million estimated uses per year. The Sierra Greenway Foundation focused their presentation on explaining the creation of 31 direct jobs and many others generated indirectly, thanks to the Greenway in these rural localities.

While France presented a complete and detailed survey about Burgundy cycling tour, that permitted to state that the public investment is recovered in 1 year; their users have spent 34.9 M€ in 2009; Greenways are the most popular routes used in this network due to their safety as off-road itineraries.

Lincolnshire County is the only area in the UK to have a county-wide waterway regeneration strategy, with a strong community involvement. Water Rail Way counts with nearly 80.000 annual usages mainly for leisure (98 %) but also for commuting (28%); for 82% of users, these paths have helped them increase their physical activity.

The last session of the Conference focused on universal accessibility and Greenways. The Director General of Transport of the Valencia Region insisted that Greenways are to be used by everyone and presented the new Regional Law on accessibility, a pioneering piece of legislation, which aims to make accessible all the Valencian regional transport system.

On this particular issue, the director of accessibility of the ONCE Foundation and ENAT Vicepresident, stressed the importance of the "chain of accessibility", ie you have to take care of all aspects (from prior information to complementary equipment) to make Greenways truly accessible routes.

The Gaves Greenway, located near the French town of Lourdes, is undoubtedly an example for other greenways in the field of accessibility: 8% of its visitors are wheelchair users. Finally, Predif representative (non-profit association representing European people with physical disabilities) emphasized the concept of "tourism for all" and brought to the audience the everyday problems encountered by persons with disabilities.

As a perfect end for the day, the closing ceremony featured a video message from the EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, who emphasized the important contribution of Greenways to address environmental problems of great significance as the fight against climate change, CO2 emissions and the need to move towards a model of tourism and sustainable mobility.

Throughout the V European Greenways Conference, the participants reached a consensus on the Madrid Declaration, which reflects the intention of advancing the development of a "European Green Network" reserved for non-motorized users, comprising for the most part Greenways…the creation of specific funding lines for greenways in the different European Union bodies, its member states, regions and local authorities,…the creation of a platform for sharing technical knowledge, experiences and future projects around Greenways at a European level,… the biennial celebration of a European Greenways Conference and the call of a European Greenways Award, promoted by the European Greenways Association,...”

The V European Greenways Conference concluded with a technical visit of the speakers and assistants of the conference (about 70 people), as well as a group of journalists, to the Vía Verde de la Jara (Toledo), a Spanish example of tourism and economic revitalization of a region through a greenway.

More information: www.europeangreenwaysconference.org

VisitEngland Tourism Figures Show Access Means Profits

Ivor Ambrose — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:58:02 GMT

Figures released this month by VisitEngland from the UK Tourism Survey show that overnight trips made by people who either have or are accompanied by someone with a health condition or impairment contributed almost £2bn to the English domestic visitor economy in 2009.

Photo: Tower of London

Figures released this month by VisitEngland from the UK Tourism Survey show that overnight trips made by people who either have or are accompanied by someone with a health condition or impairment contributed almost £2bn to the English domestic visitor economy in 2009.

This highlights the economic importance of this travelling sector to the tourism industry.

Over 11 million such trips were made last year, equating to 11% of the total volume of domestic overnight tourism in England. Trips by this group tend to be longer than average and as a result their spend per trip is higher.

James Berresford, Chief Executive VisitEngland, says ‘Over a quarter of Britons have a long-standing health problem or disability. Access is high on VisitEngland’s agenda and is a key element of England’s new Strategic Framework for Tourism which looks to grow the value of tourism in England. It is vital that our tourism industry is in a position to cater for specific needs of anyone travelling with a health condition or impairment. VisitEngland will be leading the industry to implement a programme to improve accessibility for disabled visitors.’

He goes on to say: ‘Tourism businesses should view accessibility in its broadest sense, as fundamentally it is about understanding and catering for the individual needs of all visitors and in doing so providing a high quality and memorable experience which in turn will generate repeat bookings and visitor loyalty.’

VisitEngland provides a number of tools and resources to help tourism operators accommodate people with access needs including a new video, Profiting through Accessible Tourism, available to view at www.visitengland.com/access.

Visit England is an ENAT member

London, "The Welcoming City" and a Water-Powered Lift

Ivor Ambrose — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:35:13 GMT

Walking past St. James’ yesterday I chanced upon this brilliant installation: a water powered lift that addresses the challenge of equal access to historic sites. It is part of London Festival of Architecture 2010 which has “The Welcoming City” as its main theme.

Walking past St. James’ yesterday I chanced upon this brilliant installation.

It is a water powered lift and it addresses the challenge of equal access to historic sites. At the same time it exhibits how alternative energy sources can be used to help make sites more accessible.

It is part of London Festival of Architecture 2010 which has “The Welcoming City” as its main theme this year.

The lift was Commissioned for the LFA2010 and designed by Matthew Lloyd Architects working with Architecture Inside Out and Price and Myers with the support of the Royal Engineers and the Royal Parks.

Hospitality and Travel consultant, Sofia Gkiousou, of UK-based company, Soma FUSION continues:

"Britain is already pretty well ahead of other countries when it comes to accessible tourism.
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (1995 amended 2005) places duties on providers of goods, services and facilities not to discriminate against people with disabilities.

Like everyone else, tourism providers must take ‘reasonable’ steps to change practices, policies and procedures to make their facilities and services accessible to disabled people. (via: Accessible Tourism on Enjoy England)

Nevertheless it is heartening to see that the London Festival of Architecture 2010 is using themes of access and the notion of the welcoming city.

The collaboration of architects, artists and third sector has resulted in an extremely interesting programme of events which will help progress the debates around accessible tourism.

Check out the London Festival of Architecture 2010 for an intriguing alternative view of London and some thoughts on architecture, access and tourism – heartily recommended!"

Cyprus Sets Wheels in Motion for Accessible Tourism

Ivor Ambrose — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:26:00 GMT

The first open meeting on the subject of “Accessible Tourism” arranged by the Cyprus Committee of Accessible Tourism was held on 3rd June 2010 at Hotel Posidonias, with the participation of the Minister of Trade and Industry, the Cyprus Tourist Organisation and representatives of Municipalities and NGO networks.

Photo. Mr. C. Michailidis addresses the meeting

ENAT Member, the European Social Forum of Cyprus has taken the initiative to form the Cyprus Committee of Accessible Tourism and was successful in bringing together the major players for this inaugural meeting.

The meeting was honoured to welcome the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Antonis Paschalidis, as well as the Municipal Advisers of the Municipality of Yermasoyia, Mrs. Pepy Orphanidou, and the Municipality of Mesa Yitonia, Mr Stelios Stylianos. The Chairman of the Cyprus Tourist Organisation, Mr. Alekos Orountiotis also attended the meeting.

With his positive statements and political will, Minister Paschalidis expressed his support for policy developments that aim to promote the essential material and technical infrastructure for accessibility in all Cypriot hotels and tourism facilities, giving the delegates a sweet flavor of optimism for the future.

Mrs. Orphanidou reported on the decisions already taken by Yermasoyia Municipality to transform the municipality into the first Accessible Municipality of Limassol, and the 14 policy steps that follow the direction of TOURISM FOR ALL. She also expressed the decision of her Municipality to apply the law strictly, regarding the awarding or renewal of operating permits, ensuring that accessibility requirements are upheld.

The coordinator of the Committee Mr Chrysis Michailidis, spoke on accessibility as a Human Right and a characteristic of Culture, noting the gap between the Law and its application.

The Cyprus Committee of Accessible Tourism wishes to thank the Honourable Minister Mr. Antonis Paschalidis for his support to the committee and the Hotel “Posidonias” that provided the meeting venue.

Visit the website of the European Social Forum of Cyprus

Investigation of "Alarming" Lack of Accessible Tourism Information in New Zealand

Ivor Ambrose — Mon, 31 May 2010 09:31:00 GMT

The New Zealand Tourist Board does not collect any statistics on visitors with physical disabilities or specialist needs. A new private survey will identify visitors' requirements and focus attention on accessible tourism provisions as preparations are under way for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

With the Rugby World Cup 2011 looming, and an international surge in interest in accessible tourism, there is a frightening lack of information about the number of tourists visiting New Zealand who have physical disabilities or specialist needs.

Accessible tourism can be defined as tourism travel and hospitality for people with disabilities, seniors, and Baby Boomers who will experience increasing disability as they age. Currently, New Zealand does not collect any statistical data on the number of visitors to the country with physical disabilities or specialist needs.

The impact of this lack of knowledge about the disabled travelling sector on the New Zealand tourism market could be huge and potentially, damaging to the experiences disabled travellers have when visiting New Zealand.

Visitor Survey

A small business start up, Freedom Researchers, is on a fact finding mission gathering feedback via an international survey on what the disabled travel sector wants and needs.

The link to completing the survey is:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G2GK5HR

Open until the end of June 2010, the survey takes minutes to complete but would provide valuable knowledge about how New Zealand could improve its tourism offering to this important sector.

Gill, from Freedom Researchers says "We are asking anyone from anywhere in the world, whether they have travelled to New Zealand or not, to spend five minutes filling in this survey. By doing this, they will contribute to telling us what's important from a disabled travellers perspective to make travel experiences better than fantastic and encourage repeat visits".

More information

ENAT Member, Sandra Rhodda is Director at Access Tourism New Zealand and Senior Research Officer, New Zealand Tourism Research Institute. Read Sandra's blog on Accessible Tourism in New Zealand at NZ Access Tourism.

New European Award for Accessible Cities

Ivor Ambrose — Sun, 30 May 2010 21:26:00 GMT

A new European Award for Accessible Cities has been launched by the European Commission, aiming to promote accessibility for people with disabilities in four areas: the built environment and public spaces, transport and related infrastructures, information and communication, including Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and public facilities and services.

A new European Award for Accessible Cities has been launched by the European Commission, aiming to promote accessibility for people with disabilities in four areas:

the built environment and public spaces,
transport and related infrastructures,
information and communication, including Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and
public facilities and services.

The four finalists of the European competition will be invited to attend the award ceremony that will take place in Brussels on 2 and 3 December 2010 at the European Day of People with Disabilities conference. The winner of the European competition will receive the 'European Award for Accessible Cities 2011' and will feature prominently in activities to promote accessibility at European level during 2011.

In addition, a special 'European Champion for Accessible Cities' award will be made to recognise the work of a network of cities or initiatives.

Accessibility is a broad concept that addresses the removal and prevention of barriers that cause problems for persons with disabilities in using products, services and infrastructures on equal terms as those without disabilities.

Accessibility to the built infrastructure, transport, services and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is essential for people with disabilities to be able to exercise their rights and participate fully in society. This includes the right to education, to engage in work, citizens rights related to voting, access to documents, and freedom of movement as well as access to leisure and cultural facilities (libraries, museums, theatres, cultural centres, concert halls, hotels, restaurants, etc.) Accessibility is also a fundamental part of the social sustainability of the urban environment.

More information about the awards will be made available shortly on the European Commission's website.

You can already indicate your interest in the award and register to receive further information as it becomes available by sending your contact details to the EU Accessible Cities Award management team.

ENAT applauds this initiative by the European Commission and encourages ENAT Members and Cities to take an active part in the competition.

Perhaps your city would like to develop its accessibility for persons with disabilities or make an attractive presentation of the work you have already done? You may like to join an existing network of accessible cities or form a new group of accessible cities? If so, you are welcome to get in touch with the ENAT Secretariat to discuss your needs for know-how or contacts, either in your own country or at the European level.

35 Vodaphone Stores Receive the AENOR Accessibility Certificate

Ivor Ambrose — Sat, 15 May 2010 14:59:00 GMT

Vodafone España has been awarded the Universal Accessibility Management System Certificate for 35 of its stores. The certificate has been granted against Standard UNE 170001-2:2007 by the Spanish Association for Standardisation and Certification (AENOR).

This way, Vodafone España has become the first company in Spain to obtain said AENOR certification for a wide commercial chain. The certificate obtained covers 44% of the Vodafone España stores, distributed across the Spanish territory. The certificate is expected to cover the whole commercial chain by June 2011.

The organisation ensures that everyone, with or without disabilities, can access and enjoy the services provided in the Vodafone España stores, including all activities relating to sales, information, recruitment and the after-sales and telecommunications services.

Prior to awarding this certification, AENOR auditors assessed the installation of stairlifts, ramps, alternative means of access, suitable signposting, location of shelving to attend to people with reduced mobility and magnetic loops for persons using hearing aids, among other issues.

AENOR has so far awarded 25 Accessibility certificates to Spanish organisations, ranging from museums to beaches.

Visit the AENOR website to order UNE 170001-2:2007

Tourist Board aiming to make Algarve more disabled-friendly

Ivor Ambrose — Sat, 15 May 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The Regional Algarve Tourist Board (ERTA) has this week revealed its intention to improve facilities in the Algarve for the disabled tourists, aiming to make the region more adequate for their needs and in turn welcome a sector that had previously been unexplored.

Dr. António Almeida Pires, Vice-President of the ERTA, told The Portugal News this week that improving facilities for visitors with disabilities was at the forefront of the Board’s concerns.

“This conversation has come at a good time precisely as the ERTA has deemed it fundamental and strategic for the region to approach the question of accessibility throughout Algarvean terrain, and believes it is just as strategic to ‘Flag’ the Algarve as an accessible destination, as well as making it a distinguishing feature”, he said from the ERTA headquarters in Faro.

At the end of last year, Dr. Pires was handed a dossier on the subject and confessed “It is a subject I was not properly familiarised with”.

“If you were to ask me how many hotels, units, or open spaces are properly equipped then we will start a conversation that won’t get us anywhere because first we have to define the concept [of accessibility]”, he said, indicating that “there is an immensity of disabilities”.

“According to statistics around 10 percent of the population suffers from some form of disability”, the ERTA Vice-President revealed, “and as a general rule they travel accompanied by at least one other person.

“We are talking about numbers that from a tourism point of view are extraordinarily important and strategic to the Algarve”.

For this the ERTA is in the process of developing a “Code of Good Practices” to make the region more accessible and attractive to disabled tourists.

“We must not be hypocritical, accessible tourism [could be] a community and economic activity that has been unexplored”, he said.

An invitation was extended to companies specialising in accessibility to present proposals suggesting how to improve the Algarve as a disability-friendly destination and develop a long-term strategic process to achieve such.

Three proposals are currently on the table and comprise “differentiated elements that are properly prepared for receiving a multitude of people who do not travel exactly because the destinations are not duly equipped to receive them”.

“Three companies are willing to define strategic points to develop accessible tourism in the Algarve”, he affirmed.

While very little has so far been made public, Dr. Pires believes the procedure is now in the “final stretch”.

To further stress the importance of the matter the ERTA, in collaboration with the Portuguese Tourism Board, have organized a first International Conference on Accessible Tourism, which will be held in the Algarve on May 28th.

Download:
- the Conference Programme and Registration Form (in Portuguese) from the right/hand panel.