The project, wholly financed by a grant from the Booking Cares Fund awarded to Ms. Xun Ji, a young disabled Chinese woman, will provide accessible tourism information services and cultural experience opportunities for both Chinese and foreign travellers with particular access needs, while at the same time engaging professionals in the travel industry, preparing them for the new caring economy.
The SABER project (“SAntiago, St. BEnedict, Routes Universal”) intends to create an accessible tourism offer by improving facilities and services along two existing itineraries of EU relevance: the “Way of St. James” in Spain, the most popular pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, and the “St. Benedict Way” in Italy.
The Pantou Accessible Tourism Directory was established initially as a data collection tool for a European Commission study of the supply of accessible tourism in Europe in 2014. It lists tourism suppliers who are able to offer accessible tourism services to customers with specific access needs, older persons, people with disabilities, families with young children and those who have a long-term health condition. Since the end of March, 2017 the Pantou Directory has been opened up to include accessible tourism suppliers based in any country - not only those located in Europe. Suppliers may register free of charge.
Access Angels, a project funded by the EU ERASMUS+ programme involving 4 member States, aims to train youth volunteers to act as assistants to visitors with access requirements in rural areas in Europe.
The "ALL FOR ALL - Portuguese Tourism", launched by Turismo de Portugal and addressed to all national tourism players, seeks to mobilize a concerted action to make Portugal a tourist destination increasingly accessible to all.
Feeling the need to engage even more actively in discussions and exchange, and to involve a broad range of stakeholders from around the world, a discussion group was created on Facebook: ATAP (Accessible Tourism – Asia Pacific) aiming to raise awareness and increase understanding about accessible and inclusive tourism.
The event was held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, in relation to the UNWTO Tourism for All theme. Tourism must be inclusive and barrier-free. RAKTDA commits to a plan for international accessible tourism standards across the Emirate.
27 September is World Tourism Day! Tourism for All! The UNWTO calls on tourism actors and stakeholders to spread the word of both the importance and immense benefits universal accessibility has and can bring to society at large. #tourism4all #WTD2016
ELEVATOR Project Newsletter no. 2, November 2016, with information about the second project partner meeting and Workshop held in Athens, Greece and featuring Tourist Guide Training.
ELEVATOR Project Newsletter no. 1, June 2016, with information about the first project partner meeting and Workshop held in Třinec, Czech Republic in April 2016.
To mark the theme of the World Tourism Day 2016, this booklet presents six selected case studies illustrating some of the key parts of the Accessible Tourism supply chain.
