Accessibility is an important topic in tourism, yet often overlooked. It seems that the main reason for that is lack of knowledge and cooperation between key stakeholders. This Report is therefore created as a brief guideline introducing this topic with particular attention being paid to the Industry - tourism providers - who need to be aware of visitors' specific access requirements and learn how to cater appropriately for their needs, so as to improve their competitiveness and sustainability.
Accessibility is an important topic in tourism, yet often overlooked. It seems that the main reason for that is lack of knowledge and cooperation between key stakeholders. This Report is created as a brief guideline introducing this topic with particular attention being paid to the role of Policy Makers in fostering a suitable environment for cooperation and motivation of all stakeholders in order to lift up the tourism offer and environment for living.
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.
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
The first two professional tourist guides have been certified as "T-Guides" by FEG (European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations) and ENAT (European Network for Accessible Tourism) for guiding people with learning difficulties.
Following a successful pilot project in 2013 and 2014 with four destinations – Visit Bath, goLeicestershire, NewcastleGateshead and VisitBrighton, the national tourist authority, VisitEngland accessed funding from the European Commission to expand its Access for All initiative.
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.
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 project focuses on adult education and business development (business competencies) in the field of accessible tourism for all. The name of the project "Elevator“ represents the effort to raise the quality of human resources and services in tourism to a higher, more competitive level.
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.
