Search
The Accessible Tourism Directory
ENAT Partners
Digital Services Partner
Organisation with Observer Status
Tools
- Utilities:
- Print this page
- Send this page
- Font size:
- Increase font size
- Decrease font size
Welcome
Welcome to the Website of ENAT - the European Network for Accessible Tourism.
ENAT is a non-profit association for organisations that aim to be 'frontrunners' in the study, promotion and practice of accessible tourism. You may be an expert or new to the area - in either case you are welcome!
By leveraging the knowledge and experience of the network, our members are improving the accessibility of tourist information, transport, infrastructure, design and service for visitors with all kinds of access needs, providing models of excellence in accessible tourism for the whole of the tourism industry.
President's New Year's Message 2019
Rome, 31 January 2019. Dear Friends, First of all let me wish a Happy New Year to all our Members, partners and to anyone visiting our website! 2019 is going to mark a significant change in the way our organisation will be perceived all over the world.
Read the full text of the President's Message... (4 mins)
Featured video by Portugal 4All Senses. (1:30 minutes).
Well... "How many times have you felt the urge to get away?"
Join ENAT
ENAT Members can be found in more than 30 countries and 5 continents. Development activities are strong on many fronts such as destination management, marketing, transport, tour operations, education, training, standards and services. By joining ENAT, organisations can be assured of keeping up-to-date with the latest developments and helping to shape the future of accessible tourism in Europe and around the world. Investment in accessible tourism measures can bring high returns, also when the market in general is weakening.
If you are working in accessible tourism or want to be part of it, we warmly invite you to join ENAT.
Read: Your path to success! 10 great reasons to join ENAT.
News
New! 20/05/2019 Chinese Experts Visit Madrid, Spain To Learn What Makes A Leading Accessible Tourism Destination
Thanks to the generous support of Booking Cares Fund (Booking.com), 10 Chinese guests will experience the best an accessible tourism destination can offer on a 4-day Study Visit arranged by ENAT - the European Network for Accessible Tourism - and some of its members in Madrid. Thanks to the generous support of Booking Cares Fund (Booking.com), 10 Chinese guests will experience the best an accessible tourism destination can offer on a 4-day Study Visit arranged by ENAT - the European Network for Accessible Tourism - and some of its members in Madrid. The Chinese delegation of disability advocates, researchers and university professors is led by ENAT member, Ms. Xun Ji, founder of “RARE N ROLL” - the hub of accessible tourism in China. In spite of physical challenges, social entrepreneur and change-maker, Ms. Ji, is an avid world traveller and blogger with a large following in China. The aim of this unique tour is to establish closer ties between Chinese, Spanish and international experts and organisations, fostering innovation and new opportunities for developing Chinese inbound, outbound and domestic tourism for visitors with disabilities or other specific access requirements. The Chinese delegation will visit and meet with representatives of key players in Accessible Tourism, including: the Regional Government of Madrid, Madrid Destino, SEGITTUR – The Spanish National Tourism Agency, PREDIF, ILUNION Hotels, Fundación ONCE, the Municipality of Alcala de Henares, Spain Heritage Cities Group, UN World Tourism Organization, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and the Prado Museum. The Study Visit is arranged in association with local tour operator, Accessible Madrid. Monday's programme also included Guest Speaker and ENAT Member, Mr. Magnus Berglund, Director of Disability at Scandic Hotels, the Nordic countries' largest hotel group. He shared Scandic's motivations and some experiences of staff training, service design and welcoming all guests, which has given Scandic the position of world leader in the hotel sector. Speaking on the first day of the tour, ENAT Managing Director, Ivor Ambrose, said: “Our aim is to promote accessible, inclusive tourism everywhere. With this opportunity to showcase Madrid to Chinese experts from universities, disability organisations and business, we hope to start a positive cycle of change and development in the Chinese tourism sector. Giving the delegates first-hand experience of accessibility in Madrid will show how Spanish authorities, organisations and civil society are working together to reach new levels of customer service in the tourism sector.” Ms. Xun Ji, leading the delegation from China adds: “China is looking to improve all aspects of life for people with disabilities and having the possibility to travel and experience new places and cultures is vital to everyone. We hope this study tour will open up new ideas and new possibilities for collaboration with Spain and Europe in the future”. Chinese delegates include representatives of China Disabled Persons' Federation, the Institute of Accessibility of Tsinghua University Beijing, Fujian Minnan Normal University and the Fujian Provincial Foundation for Self-improving and Helping the Disabled and Needy Students. Ms. Sofie Soares, who leads on Accessibility at Booking.com, participated in the study tour, sharing in the exchange of knowledge with Chinese and Spanish partners. ENAT Non-Profit Association - Reaching Out To The World to Promote Accessible Tourism for All ‘Accessibility for All’ is fast becoming synonymous with the highest quality of customer service the tourism sector can offer. The convergence of Accessible Tourism with ‘the mainstream tourism sector’ was marked at the UNWTO World Tourism Day in September 2016, with a landmark event in Bangkok, Thailand. ENAT was there to highlight the value of accessibility, showcase best practices and point to policies, strategies and tools for development. ENAT members, including National and Regional Tourism Organisations, cities, businesses, researchers and NGOs are now working together to develop frameworks for action, engaging with civil society and using new technologies and social media to reach new levels of customer service in the tourism sector. ENAT aims to make tourism information, venues, transport systems, and services sustainable and inclusive - serving all visitors - and bringing rewards to both visitors and communities alike. Download two Study Tour leaflets in PDF format from the right-hand panel.
New! 17/05/2019 Scandic Hotels Introduces Standard For Allergy-friendly Rooms
Scandic is the world’s first hotel group to introduce a standard for allergy-friendly rooms. This means that guests booking allergy-friendly rooms can expect considerations including wooden floors and fragrance-free, hypoallergenic toiletries approved by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association. The rooms are also prepared according to strict cleaning procedures and are not located on floors where pets can stay. The new standard will be part of Scandic’s unique 159-point accessibility standard.
New! 02/05/2019 New Accessible Travel Database Announced By German National Tourist Board
Entitled "Travel for All", the database enables the user to search for a wide range of accessible holiday facilities throughout Germany.
16/03/2019 European Accessibility Act: A Big Step On A Long Journey
Brussels, 13.3.2019. Press release by European Disability Forum. European Parliament's approval of the Act is positive – but more legislation is essential.
09/03/2019 Travelport Launches Global Campaign To Encourage More Support For Airline Passengers With Intellectual Disabilities
Langley, UK 5th March 2019. Campaign allied to the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2019 targets greater use of the DPNA Special Service Request code, used to alert airlines when a traveler has an intellectual or developmental disability and needs assistance.