The European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) has registered this week as a non-profit organisation in Belgium. This marks an exciting new phase in its European and international operations.
At a congress held last week by the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), over 200 representatives from international disability organisations, tourist boards and private enterprise came to the overwhelming conclusion that accessible tourism is the fastest-growing business opportunity in the tourism industry.
This week the Marina d'Or beachside holiday resort in the Region of Valencia, Spain welcomes some 200 delegates at the ENAT International Congress on Tourism for All, organised by Fundación ONCE and supported by the European Commission. Guest speakers from North and South America, as well as Australia will complement European presenters from all sectors of the tourism industry, public authorities, NGOs and centres of research and education.
ENAT member, "Accessible Travel and Leisure", is a leading UK specialist in tailor-made holidays for customers with disabilities. Now the company is offering business franchises, providing opportunities for people with disabilities to run their own business from home, selling accessible holidays.
The Municipality of Arona, Tenerife Sur, has taken up the challenge to make its tourist offers available to everyone, including people with disabilities, through the Arona Integral Accessibility Plan. An access guide to Tenerif Sur, produced in 2007, covers information bureaux, facilities, transport and accommodations in three languages, Spanish, English, German. The Guide has 170 pages and is richly illustrated.
The Australian Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport provide practical measures to be taken by transport operators and providers to make public transport more accessible, both for persons with disabilities, as well as the elderly and those travelling with young children.
Directly addressing the EU regulations on public procurement, the BFA project, involved partners from the European building industry, architects, public sector and NGOs, to produce a Reference Manual and training materials for professionals in the field, in relation to public procurement, accessibility and the built environment.
Accessible Portugal is a commercial organisation whose mission is to provide services to disabled visitors and other tourists who have restricted mobility.
The Build-for-All Manual presents the rationale and a method for applying Design-for-all principles and criteria in the public procurement of buildings and infrastructure works.
Workshop Report including summary presentations and speeches by plenary speakers, workshop conclusions and photos from the optional excursion to accessible attractions in Athens.
