International Congress on Accessible Cruise Destinations, Valencia

2 to 3 December 2019, Valencia, Spain. The aim of the day-and-a-half congress is to promote the normalisation of accessibility in cruise tourism, focusing on the experiences at destinations of people with disabilities, with reduced mobility, families with young children, the elderly or people with accessibility needs in general.

Cruises are no longer a luxury item reserved for a fortunate few. According to the CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) this type of tourism is on the rise and for the past few years, many people have subscribed to this new type of travel experience enjoying holidays on the sea. But what happens in the case of a person with reduced mobility (PRM)? Are they able to be independent and self-sufficient once they disembark at a destination port? Are all stages of the tourism experience accessible?

For the answer to both these questions to be “yes” and for cruise tourism to be accessible for all, PREDIF is organising the 1st edition of the TUR4all International Congress on Accessible Cruise Destinations, in partnership with the Region of Valencia Tourist Board (Turisme Comunitat Valenciana), AISM (Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society), Accessible Portugal and with the backing of ENAT (European Network for Accessible Tourism).

The congress promises to be a forum for reflection on the current situation, and to raise awareness among tourism professionals and stakeholders in the sector. Information will also be provided about best practices, encouraging synergies and networking among sector professionals. Our aim is to ‘bring on board’ the entities that manage the destinations, ports and cruise companies in creating and marketing accessible experiences at destinations in Spain and in Europe.

Speakers

Speakers at the event include national and international representatives of shipping companies, port entities, travel agencies, destinations and travellers with accessibility needs.

Keynote speakers: 

• Francisco Sardón Peláez, PREDIF President
• Marco Pizzio, Head of the Department of Social and Accessible Tourism of the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association (AISM)
• John Sage, Founder and President of Accessible Travel Solutions

Further information and registration

Please visit the Congress Official Website for any enquiries. Details on how to register will be provided in due course.

There will be a tour programme in Valencia for participants arriving the weekend before the Congress. 

Programme

Download the draft programme from the right-hand panel in PDF format (in English or Spanish).

Organisers

Partners