Tourism for Everyone Association, Izmir, Turkey, Annual Report 2025

A Year We Lived, Not Just Completed. 

What kept us standing was a shared belief: we believed that access to tourism and culture is not a privilege, but a fundamental right.
 
Throughout this year, we carried out all our activities with a strong sense of volunteerism, mutual trust, and responsibility. We did not only organise events; we listened together, learned together, adapted, and grew together.

Our Focus Areas: Accessible Tourism, Cultural Rights, Advocacy, and Capacity Building 

1. Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy Activities
 
In 2025, we further strengthened our relationships with local governments and sector stakeholders.

• We met with experts from the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) to discuss national-level policies and strategies on accessible tourism.
• In March, we signed a protocol with the Izmir Chamber of Tourist Guides (IZRO), which stands as a first in Türkiye. Through this collaboration, we established an institutional foundation for accessibility in tourism.
• We organised the “Disability Policy Development Workshop” with Bornova Municipality and actively participated in the strategic planning processes of Çiğli Municipality and Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.

2. “Accessible Museums for a Living Culture" Project (EU-Funded)
Through this project, implemented under the European Union CultureCIVIC grant programme, we aimed to make museums accessible and inclusive for everyone.

• At the workshop hosted by Izmir Katip Çelebi University, we discussed “Accessible Museum” standards for four different disability groups together with Ministry representatives, academics, and persons with disabilities.
• On December 15, we provided training on “Accessible Interpretation Approaches” to 50 museum staff members and professional tourist guides at the Izmir Chamber of Commerce.
• We conducted applied visits at Göztepe Arkas Art Center Painting Museum with the participation of different disability groups and analysed museum accessibility on site.

3. Accessibility in Tourism: Inclusive Travel Experiences
 In 2025, we transformed accessibility from a concept into lived experience through inclusive and inspiring journeys.

• In July 2025, as a pioneering initiative in Türkiye, we organised an accessible international cruise covering Rhodes, Leros, and Samos with visually impaired participants and their companions. This journey demonstrated that international travel can be barrier-free when accessibility is thoughtfully planned.
• We brought history and culture to wider audiences through documentary screenings titled “From Ephesus to Pergamon” held in Izmir and Manisa as part of awareness weeks.
• With the guidance of professional tourist guides, we organized accessible cultural tours along the Basmane, Kültürpark, Ödemiş, and Birgi routes. These trips enabled participants from different disability groups to experience heritage sites through inclusive narration, tactile exploration, and shared discovery.

4. Education, Arts, and Awareness Activities

• In cooperation with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and the Germany-based Tanz der Kulturen Berlin, we implemented a five-day pilot Dance Therapy workshop for visually impaired individuals.
• Together with Dokuz Eylül University and Izmir Katip Çelebi University, we organised academic talks on “Inclusive Careers” and “Accessible Tourism.”
• We ensured the participation of our Association President, Ali Aydoğmuş, in programmes on TRT Radio 1 and Can Radio, where he addressed the social importance of accessible tourism at the national level.

5. Advocacy and Policy Development

• We supported the petition campaigns carried out within the scope of the “365 Days We Are Disabled” Platform and actively participated in rights-based meetings with the Mayor of Bornova.
• Through the Vision 2074 and World Café studies, we contributed to the inclusion of our “Accessible and Independent Future” approach in reports shaping Izmir’s next 50-year plans.

Photo: Members of the Tourism for Everyone Association, pictured at a project celebration.  

Conclusion 

In 2025, as the Tourism for Everyone Association, we took significant steps in line with our goals. In 2026, we are determined to continue our work in accordance with our strategic plan.
 
We invite everyone who wishes to contribute to the development of accessible tourism to walk this path together with us. We grow stronger as we grow in numbers. 
 
İyi çalışmalar dileriz… / We wish you all the best in your work…

Ali Aydoğmuş
President of the Tourism for Everyone Association

Contact and Further information:

Mail: bilgi@herkesicinturizm.org    aliaydogmus82@hotmail.com
Web: Tourism for Everyone Association/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Herkesicinturizmdernegi/?locale=tr_TR
İnstagram: https://www.instagram.com/herkesicinturizm_/

 The Tourism for Everyone Association is an Associate Member of ENAT.

This Report is part of an occasional series of News submissions by ENAT Members.