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  • 04/07/2026

Speeches and Presentations from the International Conference, "Inclusive and Smart Tourism Destinations", Genoa, 18 June 2026

Conceptual Map of the conference discussions illustrating the main themes. By Marcello Petruzzi. Conceptual Map of the conference discussions illustrating the main themes. By Marcello Petruzzi.

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The international conference “Inclusive and smart tourism destinations: strategies for innovation” brought together institutions, tourism professionals and experts to share strategies, best practices and visions for developing accessible and inclusive destinations.

Here, ENAT presents videos and slide presentations from the Genoa conference. 
Additional speeches will be added in the Downloads section of this page as they become available. 

Programme 

Welcome Session 

Opening Speech by EU Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Directorate General Mobility, Transport and Tourism
Video: 5 minutes 46 seconds

 

  • Alessandra Locatelli: Italian Ministry of Disability – Rome, Italy - (video message).
  • Luca Lombardi: Councillor for Tourism, Territorial Marketing, Agency inLiguria, Leisure, Digital Transition and Information Technology – Liguria Region – Genoa, Italy.
  • Tiziana Beghin: Councillor for Commerce, Tourism, Territorial Marketing, Pro Loco, CIV, Traditions, European Projects – Municipality of Genoa, Italy.
  • Igor Stefanovic: Ethics and Social Responsibility Programme – UN Tourism - Madrid, Spain.
  • Victoria Petrova: Senior Expert MOVE.A5 Tourism - European Commission - Brussels, Belgium - (online).
  • Anna Grazia Laura: President ENAT – Brussels, Belgium.
  • Mario Alberto Battaglia: President FISM (Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation) / CEO AISM (Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society) / President World Federation of Multiple Sclerosis – Genoa, Italy.
  • Anna Galleano: Head of External Relations, Press and Tourism - Genoa, Italy.
  • Giuseppe Costa: President Costa Edutainment – Genoa, Italy.

KEYNOTE SPEECH

  • Inmaculada Placencia Porrero: Senior Expert on Disability at DG Justice and Consumers - European Commission – Brussels, Belgium and Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) - (online).

SESSION 1: SMART AND ACCESSIBLE CITIES
In cooperation with European Capitals of Tourism (*)
Chaired by: Ivor Ambrose - Managing Director - ENAT (European Network for Accessible Tourism) - Brussels, Belgium.

  • Heli Jokela: Marketing and Communications Director - Visit Tampere - Tampere, Finland - 2026 European Capital of Smart Tourism.
  • Ana Hrnić: Head of Administrative Department for Tourism and Sports - City of Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik, Croatia - 2026 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism.
  • Francesca Sibilla  (Head of Product Development Department, Turismo Torino e Provincia) and Sara Piana (Tourism Department Officer, Consulta per le Persone in Difficoltà) - Torino, Italy - 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism.
  • Sandra Torre: Director Tourism Department - Genoa Municipality - Genoa, Italy – 2026 Shortlisted European Capital of Smart Tourism.

SESSION 2: DESTINATION MANAGEMENT (NTOs and DMOs)
Chaired by: Marco Pizzio - Head Tourism, Accessibility and Events - AISM / Board Member - ENAT / National Expert Italy - Accessible EU –  Genoa, Italy

  • Teresa Ferreira: Director Tourism Development Department - Turismo de Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Vesna Ferenčak Brodarić: Expert Adviser, Specialist, Sector for Sustainable Development - Ministry of Tourism and Sport of Republic of Croatia - Zagreb, Croatia
  • Elena Magni: Manager of the Sustainable Tourism and Tourism Enterprises Sector - Regione Liguria - Genoa, Italy.
  • Pablo Ortega: Network Promotion Manager - Department of tourism of the Government of Catalonia - Barcelona, Spain.
  • Dejan  Ristić: Project Manager - Ljubljana Tourism – Ljubljana, Slovenia.

SESSION 3: ACCESSIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
Chaired by: Katerina Papamichail - Board Member - European Network for Accessible Tourism – Athens, Greece. Architect, Expert on Accessibility and Universal Design 

  • Maria Grazia Filetici: former Director of the Ministry of Culture and Accessibility Designer for Archaeological Areas - Accessible Roman Forum – Rome, Italy.
  • Elena Di Giovanni: Scientific coordinator of accessibility, Arena di Verona Opera Festival – Verona, Italy.
  • Maria Grazia Filetici: Accessible Roman Forum – Rome, Italy.
  • Francesca Paola Leon: New Media Manager and expert in accessibility projects for cultural heritage - ETT Dedagroup – Genoa, Italy.

CLOSING SESSION – ROUND TABLE
Chaired by: Igor Stefanovic - Ethics and Social Responsibility Programme – UN Tourism - Madrid, Spain.

  • Accessible Destinations
  • Tourism businesses embracing accessibility 
  • Accessible Tourism Observatory

Participants

  • Ivor Ambrose: Managing Director - ENAT (European Network for Accessible Tourism) - Brussels, Belgium.
  • Teresa Ferreira: Director Tourism Development Department - Turismo de Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Pablo Ortega: Network Promotion Manager - Department of Tourism of the Government of Catalonia - Barcelona, Spain.
  • Gianmaria Patti: Head of Concept & Customer Assistance - Alpitour World – Torino, Italy.
  • Edoardo Colombo: President - Turismi.ai, Association for Artificial Intelligence in Tourism – Rome, Italy.

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