The European Commission has launched its 2019 campaign to raise awareness of passengers' rights. Although the European Union has made great strides in establishing common passenger rights for those travelling by air or rail, not every European is yet aware of what he or she is entitled to.
Partners of the EU-funded ERASMUS+ project, NEWSCAT have curated a set of course materials aimed at increasing the knowledge, skills and competences of tourism professionals to cater for the diverse requirements of visitors with disabilities, seniors, families and others with specific access requirements.
27 June 2019. The Prime Minister has announced the UK’s first ever Tourism Sector Deal today, reaffirming the UK’s global role as a key player in the industry.
Langley, UK 5th March 2019. Campaign allied to the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2019 targets greater use of the DPNA Special Service Request code, used to alert airlines when a traveler has an intellectual or developmental disability and needs assistance.
US-based Open Doors Organization (ODO) and Aira have joined forces to further the availability of Aira technology in the travel and tourism industries,benefiting individuals with vision loss worldwide.
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.
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 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.
8 May 2018. This study has undertaken literature reviews, user and experts’ questionnaires, interviews and workshop surveys, analysis of EU legislation, SWOT and Multi-Criteria Analysis, identification of best practices and analyses of case studies. This has led to a mapping of accessibility across the EU Member States (identifying relevant state clusters) for three different sectors: local transport, long-distance transport, and tourism. Specific policies, research priorities and recommendations are made per state clusters and for the EU, which can enhance accessibility in each of the three sectors.
