A major milestone has been reached with the publication this week of the recommendations from the Second International Conference on Accessible Tourism held November 22 - 24, 2007 at the United Nations in Bangkok, Thailand. Sixteen recommendations directed towards governments, public agencies, tourism businesses and academia seek to promote the development of inclusive tourism in the region, targetting a wide range of measures for both specialised and mainstream services.
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 objective of the project is to create a social environment in which everyone, including those with restricted physical ability, can travel comfortably without having to worry about inaccessibility.
The "Treize Voyages" association has a twin objective : create holidays for the mentally handicapped while employing people who are either handicapped themselves or socially excluded. A tourism concept which is unique in France.
UK-based company, Accessible Travel and Leisure specialises in creating holiday packages for customers with disabilities. In 2007 it launched a new franchising scheme which provides the opportunity for disabled people to run their own business from home, selling accessible holidays.
The project aims at offering travelling, volunteering, learning, intercultural and income generation opportunities to people over 55 years old from 10 countries.
Europeforall.com was developed, with the support of the European Commission, by the pan-European partnership, OSSATE, which stands for "One-Stop-Shop for Accessible Tourism in Europe"
Workshop Report including summary presentations and speeches by plenary speakers, workshop conclusions and photos from the optional excursion to accessible attractions in Athens.
