27 March 2012 was the Networking Day for Spanish "Business Innovation Groups in Tourism" (AEITs), where the focus was on accessibility, mobility and sustainability as axes for transforming the Spanish tourism sector. New projects address the application of new technologies to hotels, campsites and cottages, and also to the value chain of the tourism sector.
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 restaurants and cafés, and has been created in partnership with the British Hospitality Association (BHA) and the Restaurant Association.
A new quality mark to be awarded to tourist accommodation judged accessible for people with disabilities could bring tourism worth millions of euro to Ireland, its creators have said.
VisitEngland today launched a new online training course to help tourism businesses deliver excellent service to disabled customers. Designed in partnership with award-winning disability organisation DisabledGo, the course is specifically tailored to help those working within the tourism industry.
"Our Young Voices campaigners have made a remarkable achievement to ensure disabled people can enjoy improved access to these historical sites of worldwide importance. This will encourage all our campaigners worldwide to continue their valuable work,” stated Tanya Barron, International Director, Leonard Cheshire Disability, speaking at a conference organised by Leonard Cheshire Disability and the United Nations in Bangkok, Thailand.
Scandic Sydhavnen in Copenhagen is currently the most accessible hotel in Denmark, according to Stig Langvad, Chairman of the Danish Disability Organizations. Scandic was in focus when the EU Conference on Disability Rights was held in March at the hotel.
VisitEngland, the national tourist board, is conducting a survey on accessibility related information required by visitors when planning to visit tourist destinations. Please take the short online survey. Your views will help tourism destinations across England to provide you with the information you require.
The European Commission has chosen "Accessible Tourism Destinations" as this year's theme for the European Destinations of Excellence Awards. National Tourism Authorities are invited to organise competitions to select the best small, "non traditional" destinations that provide an outstanding offer for tourists regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age.
Scandic's Disability Ambassador Magnus Berglund has received an award for being one of Sweden's most important actuators in Corporate Social Responsibility.
The International Social Tourism Organisation (ISTO) and its partners have been chosen by the European Commission to promote social tourism in Europe through the development of a Web platform matching supply with demand.
Best Practice in Accessible Tourism, edited by Dimitrios Buhalis, Simon Darcy and Ivor Ambrose, focuses on policy and best practice in accessible tourism, reflecting the ”state-of -the-art” as expressed in a selection of international chapters. Available now, at 20% discount.
The purpose of this guidance is to advise those who own, manage or care for buildings and places of architectural heritage significance on the options available to them to improve accessibility. It also provides guidance and information for anyone with an interest or involvement in issues surrounding the accessibility of historic buildings and places.
