With its 35,000 inhabitants, the city of Viborg is one of Denmark’s oldest cities, dating back to 900 AD, as well as an important administrative centre.
The first international certification programme for accessible tourism destinations has been developed and carried out in Lousã, Portugal by the Belgian Accessibility Office, Toegangelijkheidsbureau (TGB). The Certification Programme is a completely new destination management tool which provides an accurate measure of the excellence of an accessible tourism destination, based on strictly defined criteria.
The Norwegian Design Council is behind a new Norwegian prize to reward innovative, accessible and user-friendly solutions. Scandic Oslo Airport won the category "Furniture and Interiors" and was thus automatically nominated for the Innovation Award for Universal Design. In November 2011 Scandic Oslo Airport won by the main prize - the Innovation Award.
The European Commission is reflecting on the development of a European Accessibility Act containing measures to improve the accessibility of goods and services in the European market. This consultation is part of the preparatory data collection that will underpin the assessment of the impact of the measures.
This new, European on-line training course addresses ways of improving tourism businesses and serving customers who have specific access requirements. The course is an "appetizer" for business owners and employees, giving a general introduction to the subject of accessible tourism.
Order these two new textbooks on Accessible Tourism from Channel View Publications and make great savings, thanks to this deal arranged with ENAT. The offer closes on 31 January 2012.
Co-hosted by the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Rick Hansen Institute, Interdependence 2012 is an international four-day conference and exposition with a focus on creating accessible communities and furthering spinal cord injury (SCI) research for a cure. Abstracts are now invited for presentations in the theme session on "Making Communities Accessible for All". The two sub-themes are "Accessible and Inclusive Tourism" and "UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities".
VisitEngland, the national tourist board, has launched a new version of the Access Statement Online Tool, aimed at helping businesses cater for visitors with access needs. This new version is specifically tailored for pubs and has been created in partnership with the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).
MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC. The Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec announces that the organization Kéroul has been granted $50,000 in non-repayable funding for the implementation of its commercialization plan for The Accessible Road for 2011-2012.
Fourteen of Spain’s most prominent tourism businesses have signed their commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism at the first International Congress on Ethics and Tourism, which was officially closed by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias (Madrid, Spain, 15-16, September).
Scandic, the Sweden-based hotel group, is intensifying its successful focus on improved accessibility. This year, over 100 new disabled rooms will be added to the portfolio and 2012 there will be even more to meet the large and growing demand. More and more companies and organisations seek rooms and conference facilities that are accessible to all.
Showing its commitment to put into effect Article 30 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Italian Ministry of Tourism has created a Manifesto promoting Accessible Tourism. ENAT is the first international NGO to support the manifesto.
