Accessible Cities | ENAT

Astana, The Capital City of Kazakhstan

Ivor Ambrose — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:06:00 GMT

Astana: A City Without Borders, creating an Accessible Environment for All.

Our city is a Member of ENAT and respects the ENAT Code of Good Conduct concerning accessible tourism facilities and services.
This page introduces you to the achievements of our city in the fields of accessibility, especially focussing on:

accessible services,
information,
transport,
architecture,
education and
tourism.

Yes, We Can!

Thanks to our years of experience and recent innovations, we truly believe that our city offers ideal conditions for disabled residents and visitors alike. We welcome you to visit us – for leisure, education or business.

Astana: A City Without Borders – How Kazakhstan's Capital Is Creating an Accessible Environment for All

Gleaming skyscrapers, soaring bridges, and spacious squares – Astana has long been a symbol of progress. But behind its futuristic appearance lies another, no less important story: Kazakhstan's capital is transforming into a city where equal opportunity is no longer an abstract idea. Here, infrastructure, culture, and services are designed to ensure that everyone – regardless of age, health, or disabilities – can feel like a fully-fledged resident or visitor. How does this work? We explore projects that are changing the perception of accessibility.

Numbers that speak for themselves

Astana is home to more than 41,900 people with disabilities – approximately 27,000 adults and 11,900 children. These figures have become the basis for systemic change. The city is not simply adapting; it is creating benchmarks of inclusiveness, combining technology, education, and social responsibility.

Award-winning medical support

The heart of the system is the National Children's Rehabilitation Center, the only one in Eastern Europe and Central Asia to receive the prestigious Joint Commission International accreditation. It annually provides care to 4,200 children with musculoskeletal disorders, hearing loss, and developmental delays. Doctors use innovative methods, and the medical equipment is comparable to the best international clinics. Modern medical centers operate nearby, synthesizing technology and expertise to support patients of all ages.

Transportation: Freedom of Movement as the Norm

Since 2014, Astana has been training drivers according to international standards for servicing passengers with limited mobility. The results are impressive: 91% of public transport (1,504 out of 1,648 vehicles) is equipped with ramps. This isn't just a figure—it means a stress-free way to get to work, school, or a city walk. And on buses and the metro, passengers with disabilities receive assistance that is thoughtfully designed down to the last detail.

Culture Without Borders

Seven museums in Kazakhstan, including the National Museum in Astana, are now open to all. Thanks to a UNDP project, audio guides in three languages, touchscreens, sign language screens, and tactile descriptions of exhibits in Braille have been installed. Staff have undergone special training to ensure each tour is comfortable. The National Museum has become more than just a repository of artifacts; it is a space for dialogue, where history is accessible even to those who cannot see or hear it in the traditional ways.

Astana Opera: A Masterpiece for Everyone

Image of the Astana Opera House

Comparable to Milan's La Scala and Moscow's Bolshoi, this theatre is not limited to the stage. Its architecture is designed for inclusivity: convenient entrances, designated seating areas, and tactile signs. Here, everyone can enjoy a ballet or opera performance and then stroll through the foyer, admiring the panoramic view of the capital.

Five Routes to Equality

In 2025, Astana launched inclusive tourist routes—a true breakthrough in accessible tourism. Each route is a carefully crafted story:

Nurzhol Boulevard—a stroll from the Baiterek Monument past glass towers and fountains.
Botanical Garden—a natural oasis with tactile exhibits and barrier-free trails.
Independence Square—a journey through the country's symbols, from the Presidential Park to monumental museum complexes.
Old Town—cozy streets where buildings from the Tsarist era and Soviet Art Nouveau have been preserved.
Arbat and the Yesil Embankment—a synthesis of street art and picturesque river landscapes.

The routes adhere to the principles of universal design and allow for both solo and guided exploration.

Together for a Common Future

Riverside promenade

Paralycling team celebration at the Velodrome

As experts note, Kazakhstan's capital is already setting a trend for the entire region—a trend where architecture, technology, and culture serve not just for impressions, but for people.

"We want everyone to feel comfortable in Astana, regardless of their physical abilities," they say here. And these words come to life in every ramp, audio guide, route, and the smile of a helpful guide.

Astana proves that accessibility isn't about privileges but about a natural right to participate in the life of the city. Here, 200 employees of tourist attractions have been trained in inclusive service standards, and new projects are born in dialogue with people with disabilities.

Find Out More!

Visit our website visitastana.kz
Tourist Information Office visitastana.kz/information
City Hall
NGO partners: Disability associations and other citizens' organisations
Chamber of Commerce
Business partners.

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European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism

Ivor Ambrose — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:07:12 GMT

The European Capital of Smart Tourism and European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism Awards recognise outstanding achievements in smart and sustainable tourism.

The Smart Tourism Capitals of Europe award is a European Commission initiative that recognises best practices in Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitisation and Cultual Heritage and creativity. The award has been given to leading cities in Europe since 2018 and a Compendium of Best Practices has been compiled from the cities' submissions in 2019 and 2020.

Smart Tourism initiative

Under the umbrella of Smart Tourism, the European Commission has launched two competitions to promote smart and sustainable tourism in the EU, network and strengthen destinations, and facilitate the exchange of best practices.

The European Capital of Smart Tourism recognises outstanding achievements by European cities as tourism destinations in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity.

The European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, successor of the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) competition, rewards smaller destinations that have implemented successful strategies to boost sustainable tourism through green transition practices.

Smart Tourism is an EU initiative, currently financed under the Single Market Programme (SMP) - former COSME Programme. It is built on the successful experience of the Preparatory Action proposed by the European Parliament and implemented by the European Commission.

Winners of the 2026 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism Competitions

Tampere (Finland) and Dubrovnik (Croatia) were selected as the winners of the 2026 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, respectively, following a European Jury meeting in Brussels on 18-19 November 2025.

European Capital of Smart Tourism 2026 - finalists

Six remaining cities were shortlisted as finalists in the 2026 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition. View their profiles on the EU Smart Tourism Capitals Webpages, using the links below:

European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2026 shortlist

Seven remaining destinations were shortlisted in the 2026 European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competition. View their profiles on the EU Smart Tourism Capitals Webpages, using the links below: .

European Access City Award

Ivor Ambrose — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:02:00 GMT

The European Access City Award was launched in May 2010 by the European Commission and has run on an annual basis since then.

The European Award for Accessible Cities is given to the city that:

has demonstrably improved accessibility in fundamental aspects of city living:
the built environment and public spaces;
transport and related infrastructure;
information and communication, including Information and Communication Technologies (ICT);
public facilities and services.
is committed to continued improvements in accessibility in a sustainable way;
can act as a role model and encourage the adoption of best practices in all other European cities.

As such, the competition covers accessibility in the everyday lives of city residents and, to some extent, the accessibility of tourist offers. However, accessible tourism products, services and marketing are not specifically included in the award criteria.

Visit: EU Access City Award Website

EU Commission's Alphabetical list of Access City Award Winners and commendations since 2010.

Below, ENAT has gathered the results of previous editions of the Access City Award in order to provide a complete record of the awarded and commended cities since 2010.

Access City Award Winner 2025, Vienna

Vienna won the 2025 Access City Award, for its outstanding efforts to making the city accessible for persons with disabilities. The initiatives to improve access to public spaces, public transport, information and communication technologies, and public services undertaken by the capital of Austria have significantly improved the lives of persons with disabilities. The city's comprehensive approach, combining social, economic, and environmental sustainability, is an outstanding example of how big capital cities can successfully integrate accessibility into every aspect of urban life. Specific projects like accessible swimming pools, intelligent traffic lights, and support for housing and employment integration have significantly contributed to making Vienna more accessible and inclusive. All metro stations and over 95% of bus and tram stops are accessible, using tactile guidance systems, low-floor vehicles, and multisensory emergency systems. The Inclusive Vienna 2030 strategy, and its collaborative approach with organisations of persons with disabilities in decision-making, also demonstrates the city's strong commitment to achieving accessibility. Vienna is the second Austrian city to win the Access City Award, after Salzburg in 2012.

Nuremberg (Germany) received the second prize for its committed and strategic approach to accessibility, in areas such as transport, employment, sports, and leisure to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Its dedicated Disability Council ensures active engagement with persons with disabilities in the city's planning. As this year was marked by the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Commission has additionally awarded Nuremberg a special mention for accessible sports infrastructure for investing in inclusive sport centres with adapted equipment and training for coaches in adaptive sports and inclusive swimming.

The city of Cartagena (Spain) won the third prize for its efforts to making tourism and cultural life more accessible for persons with disabilities. For example, the city offers help for people with disabilities when bathing at popular beaches, and offers reserved accessible seats at public events, as well as accessible leisure areas and playgrounds.

Borås (Sweden) was also awarded a special mention for its role model in built environment and transport. This honours the city's long-standing commitment and initiatives to considerably exceed national accessibility standards in public transport, streets, buildings and other parts of the built environment. Borås won the Access City Award in 2015 and continues its enduring efforts to removing barriers for persons with disabilities.

Access City Award Winner 2024, San Cristóbal de La Laguna

The Spanish city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna received the 2024 Access City Award for its comprehensive approach to accessibility and its dedication to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

The city has prioritised the accessibility of persons with disabilities across urban spaces, transportation systems, and social activities. For example, all vehicles and all stations of the city’s tram network are fully accessible, and the city centre has acoustic traffic lights and tactile paving to guide visually impaired people. In 2021, the municipality launched the Orange Point, a mobile space with resources for inclusive and accessible events. Orange Point provides sign language interpreters, anti-noise systems, and trained staff, as well as easy-to-read materials. The city’s commitment to accessibility is also exemplified by various other initiatives, including the adoption of an institutional declaration for the defence of the rights of persons with disabilities to promote positive actions in this area. In addition, a disability council and an ombudsman for persons with disabilities have been created. The Disability Council directly involves persons with disabilities in decision making through their consultative work, while the Ombudsman provides independent advice to the City Council, coordinating and promoting the city’s accessibility initiatives in collaboration with the Council.

The city of Łódź (Poland) was awarded the second-place prize for implementing comprehensive standards of accessibility to guide all municipal investments, and the city of Saint-Quentin (France) won the third place for improving accessibility of the city’s public transport network.

In addition, Tübingen (Germany) received a special mention for its city development aligned with the principles of accessibility and the New European Bauhaus.

South Dublin County (Ireland) was also awarded a special mention for landscape and playground areas, recognising their commitment to ensuring play areas have varied landscapes incorporating natural elements, all while remaining accessible.

More information: European Commission News Item, 1/12/2023

Access City Award Winner 2023, Skelleftå

2nd prize, Córdoba

3rd prize, Ljubljana

Special mentions for Grenoble (transport), Hamburg (built environment) and mérida (ICT)

Access City Award Winner 2022, Luxembourg City

A jury of accessibility experts awarded Luxembourg City first place among 40 entrants for its wide range of innovative solutions and improvements to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities.
The city of Helsinki in Finland and the city of Barcelona in Spain were the second and third place winners.
Leuven in Belgium was recognised for mainstreaming accessibility, including in the digital area.
Palma in Mallorca, Spain, won a special mention for improving access to the physical environment, including natural areas, beaches and parks to support inclusive tourism.
The city of Porto, Portugal, received a Special Mention for improving accessibility of train stations. 2021 was the European Year of Rail Transport.

More information: ENAT News item and video

Access City Award Winner 2021, Jönköping, Sweden

The 2021 Access City Award goes to the city of Jönköping for making the city more accessible to persons with disabilities. Jönköping, in the south of Sweden, made continuous improvements in both the new and old areas of the city, in collaboration with disability organisations. The city also created a local ‘Access City Award’, for businesses or organisations that worked with their customers to improve accessibility. Out of 50 applications, Jönköping was designated the winner of the 11th edition of the Access City Award at the online ceremony on 1 December.

The city of Bremerhaven in Germany and the city of Gdynia in Poland are the second and third place winners of the 2021 Access City Award.
Poznań in Poland received a special mention for accessibility of public services in times of the pandemic.
Two further special mentions were awarded to Komotini in Greece for “accessibility as an opportunity for the whole city” and Florence in Italy for the “built environment”.

Visit the ENAT News page: Jönköping EU Access City award winner 2021

Access City Award Winner 2020, Warsaw, Poland

The 2020 Access City Award goes to the city of Warsaw, in Poland.

The city of Castellóde la Plana in Spain and the city of Skellefteå in Sweden are the second and third place winners.

Chania in Greece, Tartu in Estonia and Evreux in France all received a special mention.

2019 Access City Award Winner: Breda, The Netherlands

The award was given "for continuously making improvements to make life easier for people with disabilities".

For the 2019 Access City Award, the European Commission received 52 applications.

The city of Évreux in France and the city of Gdynia in Poland are the second and third place winners. The jury praised Évreux for its particular focus on invisible disabilities and Gdynia for its initiatives to include people with intellectual disabilities.

Finally, Kaposvár in Hungary and Vigo in Spain both received a special mention. Kaposvár was recognised for its continued improvements and Vigo for its innovative architecture in a challenging topography.

2018 Access City Award Winner: Lyon, France

The city of Lyon was awarded first prize for 2018. At the award ceremony in December 2017, Lyon was praised for its public buses that are 100% accessible, and access to culture for all is also ensured, thanks to the inclusion of accessible equipment in libraries, such as reading machines, audiobook readers and magnifying screens. The city has also developed digital tools for people with disabilities, and in terms of work integration, 7.8% of civil servants are people with a disability. This is significantly higher than the legal minimum quota of 6% required by the French legislation.

The European Commission also rewarded the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and the city of Luxembourg with a second and third place respectively. Ljubljana integrated accessibility in its overall policy, appointing a special advisory committee with elderly and people with disabilities so that they are directly involved in the city’s policymaking. The city of Luxembourg has put a lot of effort into raising awareness among citizens to avoid stigma in relation to disability and building a highly inclusive city in which everyone feels comfortable.

Finally, the city of Viborg in Denmark received a special mention for reconciling its historical heritage and hilly landscape with an accessible infrastructure. In 2017, 26 cities across the EU took part in the competition.

2017 Access City Award Winner: Chester, United Kingdom

The city of Chester (UK) was awarded first prize for 2017 for its dedication in ensuring that the city and its beautiful medieval walls can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Other recognised good practices were commended from the cities of Rotterdam (Netherlands), Jūrmala (Latvia), Lugo (Spain), Skellefteå (Sweden), Alessandria (Italy) and Funchal (Portugal).

Download the 2017 Access City Award Brochure in PDF format.

2016 Access City Award Winner: Milan, Italy

Wiesbaden, Germany – Second Prize
Toulouse, France – Third Prize and Special Mention as a “Smart City”
Vaasa, Finland – Special Mention for commitment to improving the working environment for its older and disabled population
Kaposvár, Hungary – Special Mention for its commitment to improving access for older and disabled people

2015 Access City Award Winner: Borås, Sweden

The Award, presented in Brussels on 3rd December 2014, recognises Borås's comprehensive and strategic approach to creating an accessible city for all; a good example of local action to help removing the many barriers that people with disabilities still face in their daily life.

Helsinki (Finland) took the second prize.
Ljubljana (Slovenia) took third prize.
Logroño, Spain, was awarded a special mention in the field of the built environment and public spaces,
Budapest, Hungary, received a special mention for its work in the field of transportation.
Arona, Spain, and Luxembourg got a special mention for public facilities and services.

No special mention was awarded in the category Information and Communication Technologies.

2014 Access City Award Winner: Gothenburg, Sweden

In the fourth edition, 2013-14, the winner was Gothenburg (Sweden) with second place Grenoble (France) and third place Poznan (Poland).

Special mentions went to Belfast (United Kingdom), Dresden (Germany), Burgos (Spain) and Malaga (Spain).

2013 Access City Award Winner: Berlin, Germany

In 2012-13, 99 cities from 20 EU member states took part in the competition. The Award was given to the German City of Berlin.

The two other finalists were: Nantes (France) and Stockholm (Sweden). The jury also assigned special mentions to: Pamplona (Spain) for the built environment and public spaces, Gdynia (Poland) for transport and related infrastructures, Bilbao (Spain) for information and communication, including new technologies and Tallaght (Ireland) for public facilities and services.

2012 Access City Award Winner: Salzburg, Austria

In 2011-12, 114 applications were received from cities in 23 EU Member States. The Austrian city of Salzburg was proclaimed as the overall winner.

The three finalist “runners-up” were (in alphabetical order): Kraków (Poland), Marburg (Germany) and Santander (Spain). Special mentions for notable achievements were given to: Terrassa (Spain) for the built environment and public spaces, Ljubljana (Slovenia) for transport and related infrastructures, Olomouc (Czech Republic) for information and communication, including new technologies and Grenoble (France) for public facilities and services.

2011 Access City Award Winner: Ávila, Spain

In the 2010-11 inaugural edition, 66 European cities from 19 EU Member States participated in the competition. The winning city was Ávila in Spain.

The three other finalists were Barcelona (Spain), Cologne (Germany) and Turku (Finland).

ENAT applauds the Commission's European Access City Award and encourages ENAT Members (and cities everywhere) to take an active part in the competition, especially highlighting the importance of good access as a component of their city's performance as an inclusive tourism destination - for visitors and citizens alike.

Disclaimer

These ENAT pages are not officially connected with the European Commission's Access Cities Award. City profiles shown here should not be construed as representing the views, opinions or recommendations of the European Commission.

ENAT is not connected with or responsible for the European Access City Award.

While ENAT endeavours to verify the correctness of all information submitted to these pages by its members, ENAT does not guarantee and cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage caused by the use of such information.

European Capital of Smart Tourism. Compendium of Best Practices, 2020

Ivor Ambrose — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 13:26:00 GMT

The selection of best practices compiled in this report has been derived from the applications the cities submitted to the two competitions (2019 and 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism). The report showcases the selection of best practices in each category (Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural heritage and creativity) and solely presents and relies on the data that the cities have submitted in their applications.

Brussels, March 2021.

The European Capital of Smart Tourism is an EU initiative. It was proposed as a preparatory action by the European Parliament and is being implemented by the European Commission since 2018.

It gives European cities the opportunity to share their exemplary practices as smart tourism destinations and awards the titles of European Capital of Smart Tourism through an EU-wide competition to those cities that implement the most outstanding measures.

The initiative showcases exemplary practices by cities as tourism destinations in implementing innovative and intelligent solutions in four categories: Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural heritage and creativity)

Apart from showcasing exemplary practices by cities as tourism destinations in: Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural Heritage and Creativity, the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative aims to establish a framework for the exchange of best practices between cities and creates opportunities for cooperation and new partnerships.

The compendium aims at raising awareness about smart tourism tools, initiatives and projects, sharing the best practices in tourism implemented by cities and strengthening peer-to-peer learning and innovative development of tourism in the EU.

Compendium of Best Practices

The selection of best practices compiled in this report has been derived from the applications the cities submitted to the two competitions (2019 and 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism).

The report showcases the selection of best practices in each category (Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural heritage and creativity) and solely presents and relies on the data that the cities have submitted in their applications.

Visit the Smart Cities Compendium of Best Practices website to view and download the Compendium.

Further information

Visit the Smart Tourism Capitals of Europe website.

Madrid, Spain

Ivor Ambrose — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 19:18:35 GMT

Madrid is a top tourist destination, offering everything from art and culture to leisure and sports, as well as restaurants, shops and green spaces. There are so many places to go, so many things to do… And the city continues to improve its accessibility provisions so that all visitors can make the most of their trip to the Spanish capital.

The Madrid Council, in conjunction with Predif (an NGO representing people with disabilities) and other tourism organisations, has developed the Accessible Travel Guide, containing information on tourist sights for disabled visitors. The Guide is designed to help tourists plan their visit to Madrid, whether on holiday or business, providing information on accessible tours, useful tips, museums, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, etc.

At the city's official tourism website there is a dedicated section on Accessible Madrid.

Sub-sections of the Accessible Madrid website lead to the 300-page Accessible Accommodation Guide, Accessible Public Transport section and Useful Links.

Madrid Destino Cultura Turismo y Negocio S. A. is an Associate Member of ENAT

City of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Ivor Ambrose — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 00:20:18 GMT

Over the past 25 years Barcelona has steadily gained a reputation as one of the world’s most attractive and visited cities. It has become the fourth most popular city destination in Europe by visitor numbers, having 7.5 million visitors in 2013.

Photo. Palau Nacional, Barcelona by "Palau Nacional Barcelona Pano 2013" by Felix König - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Commons

Over the past 25 years Barcelona has steadily gained a reputation as one of the world’s most attractive and visited cities.

It has become the fourth most popular city destination in Europe by visitor numbers, having 7.5 million visitors in 2013. and its number and variety of tourism offers has grown year-by-year to include sports and cultural events, heritage attractions, city-breaks, conferences, meetings and business tourism.

In more recent years, cruise tourism has shown strong growth in Europe and Barcelona has become the most favoured port for embarkation, disembarkation and port-of-call passengers with a total of 2.6 million passengers in 2013. Cruise tourism has a significant impact on European tourism both in terms of passenger numbers and economic turnover for cruise lines but also for shore destinations. Ports of call and the beginning and end points of the cruise can profit directly from tourists, as well as other services including, port infrastructure investments, shipbuilding and repairs and other related activities. The demographics of cruise passengers show a higher proportion of older persons who benefit from the comfort and ease of a ship-board holiday.

Barcelona has achieved a high level of provisions in terms of general accessibility of the built environment, accessibility information and itineraries for visitors, a well-designed and accessible public transport system and adapted services for visitors with access needs. This combination of factors contributes strongly to Barcelona’s position as a desirable, year-round accessible tourism destination. Also, the Catalan region has a well-developed range of accessible, inclusive destinations with activities and venues for visitors, acting as a magnet for cruise ship tourists from Spain, Euro and overseas.

This case study explains the approach taken by the City of Barcelona, tourism operators and local businesses to become an attractive and welcoming cruise destination. The services for passengers who need good access are described and evaluated, in particular by an American, John Sage, who is a disabled wheelchair user and travel agent, specialising in European destinations.

Overall, the study shows the successful results of the city authorities’ plans and programmes and explains the benefits these actions have brought to the cruise industry, the visitors and suppliers.

Download the Barcelona Accessible Cruise Destination Case Study in PDF format, produced by ENAT and Partners for the European Commission (2015).

Paris - Ile de France, France

Ivor Ambrose — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 18:56:00 GMT

The regional tourism board of Paris Ile-de-France has worked with accessible tourism since 2002. The initial objective was to render accessible the world’s number one tourist destination. As part of this strategy, the regional board was involved in the work on the “tourism and handicap label”. Introduced in 2001, this label has the aim of awarding the institutions and businesses that have made their businesses accessible. The label is divided into four categories, taking into account the main types of disability. Through the work with the label, the regional tourist board gained valuable knowledge and experience in the sector at an early stage and despite the fact that the board is no longer working with the label, it is assisting and encouraging businesses in becoming accessible, through a universal approach to accessibility which includes anyone with special needs, and highlights the economic importance that the market for accessible tourism implies.

The Ile-de-France region covers the whole tourism supply chain to some extent. The weak links seem to be accommodation and catering, where the will to invest resources and time in accessibility often is missing due to the limited size of businesses, with exceptions of larger hotel or restaurant chains. Another weak link is transports, and in regards to Paris particularly, the metro network. The very old structures would be extremely costly to make accessible. On the other hand, accessibility in museums and cultural institutions is better and improving further, and extensive work has been done in information and communication, e.g. through the launch of the Handistrict website providing a database on accessible tourism businesses.

The regional tourism board is cooperating significantly with associations representing people with disabilities in order to improve communication and to learn about the specific needs related to each disability. The board also works with businesses and support them in their efforts to improve accessibility through assistance, training and guidance documents. The business case of accessible tourism is also highlighted by the board and one example of this is the Parisian tour operator Yoola which started its activity in 2009 with focus on accessible tourism and international sports events. The company has registered important growth in these years and an increasing clientele.

To conclude, it seems reasonable to say that the region has achieved a strong progress in accessible tourism, even though there are still numerous improvements to make, in particular regarding weak links in the tourism supply chain and incentives for smaller businesses.

Download the Paris - Ile de France Accessible Tourism Case Study in PDF format, produced by ENAT and Partners for the European Commission (2015).

Visit the Website of VisitParis Region

Visit the Website of ParisInfo: Visiting Paris with a Disability

Stockholm, Sweden

Ivor Ambrose — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 18:06:00 GMT

Stockholm has carried out extensive works on improving accessibility for people with disabilities and continues to do so to this day.

Photo. Stockholm, Storkyrkan by Jürgen Howaldt - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 de via Commons.

Stockholm has carried out extensive works on improving accessibility for people with disabilities and continues to do so to this day.

The case of Stockholm is rather specific in that all accessibility related policy has been made in order to improve the quality of life for local residents and is enshrined in the City Council’s daily work.

In the years 1999-2011, improvements in accessibility were carried out through the project “Easy Access”. This project targeted mainly improvements in the urban environment, buildings and public spaces through a design for all approach. The driver for this initiative originated at political level based on Swedish ratification of the UN Convention of Rights for People with Disabilities as well on the City’s strategic vision for 2030. The overarching goal was to make Stockholm the world’s most accessible capital by 2010.

Accessibility has been improved in various ways along the supply chain. Public transportation, public spaces, retail, accommodation and resturants have all been targeted through either the application of building legislation, but also information campaigns and awareness raising about the economic gains to be made when improving accessibility. Accessibility seems to have been built into many regulations, but also promoted by different industry association such as the Swedish industry association for commerce.

While many improvements have been made and the city is continuously working with further increasing, mainly, physical access the greatest piece missing to turn Stockholm into an accessible destination is the lack of coordinated information and marketing efforts. It appears that no destination management organization or "visitor’s board" actively engages in attracting tourists (with access requirements) to the region.

This organizational bottleneck is one of the most pressing barriers for tourists wanting to visit the city, but also for businesses who would wish to expand into this market.

The challenge going forward for Stockholm is to go from a destination with scattered accessible offers and turn this into a holistic tourism product.

Download the Stockholm Accessible Tourism Case Study in PDF format, produced by ENAT and Partners for the European Commission (2015).

Frankfurt, Germany

Ivor Ambrose — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 17:11:37 GMT

Frankfurt am Main is recognised nationally and internationally as a global city located in the heart of Germany and Europe. It is a major air, rail and highway transport hub as well as the largest financial centre in continental Europe, ranking among the world's leading financial centres. Tourism plays a key role in Frankfurt.

Frankfurt Am Main-Saalhof-Ansicht vom Eisernen Steg by Mylius - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons.

Frankfurt am Main is recognised nationally and internationally as a global city located in the heart of Germany and Europe.

It is a major air, rail and highway transport hub as well as the largest financial centre in continental Europe, ranking among the world's leading financial centres.

Tourism plays a key role in Frankfurt. Most travellers to Germany from the overseas markets enter via Frankfurt or Munich. It is also home to the fifth largest exhibition centre in the world (MesseFrankfurt ) which plays host to the world’s largest book, auto and music exhibitions. Frankfurt is also home to numerous museums, galleries, historical sites, shopping centres, restaurants, Opera Houses, cafes and great entertainment venues. The Frankfurt Tourist and Congress Board is the primary point of contact for visitors of Frankfurt am Main.

The Frankfurt Tourist and Congress Board is the marketing company for the city of Frankfurt am Main relating to tourism and conventions. It is the board’s responsibility to promote a positive image of Frankfurt around the world. The Board has recognised that the demographics of the world are changing and that older people and people with disabilities cannot be ignored in promoting Frankfurt as a tourist destination. With this in mind, one of the Board’s strategic objectives is to make the city’s touristic offers fully accessible to people with disabilities.

The Tourist and Congress Board has been working on a number of accessibility initiatives mainly focused around the ‘Frankfurt am Main barrier-free’ Brochure which was launched in 2012.

A case study conducted by ENAT and Partners for the European Commission explores the work carried out by the Tourist and Congress Board and highlights how the Board is promoting Frankfurt as an international accessible city, increasing awareness amongst service suppliers, contributing to the improved accessibility of Frankfurt and how it is becoming one of leaders in promoting barrier free travel within Europe.

Download the Frankfurt Accessible Tourism Case Study in PDF format, produced by ENAT and Partners for the European Commission (2015).

London, United Kingdom

Ivor Ambrose — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 16:46:54 GMT

London is a world tourist destination. The city has a mix of old and new infrastructure. This presents a challenge that all historic cities face when addressing accessibility, investing in changes while maintaining a ‘sense of place’ and identity.

Photo: "London from a hot air balloon" by Daniel Chapma - Flickr. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Commons

London has a policy of inclusive design for the benefit of both residents and visitors to ensure that as many as possible can enjoy the city. New build can incorporate accessibility from the outset, however it becomes more costly to change a public realm, much of which was developed in the nineteenth century. This requires long term investment, which London has made and continues to make, as it undertakes a programme of change that takes it into the future. The Mayor of London champions accessibility and supports changes through a framework of policy and strategy that the Greater London Authority has developed.

The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games proved a catalyst for some accelerated change and investment to make London more accessible, with the eyes of the world watching. This brought many benefits for the provision across the supply chain with improvement in: information, the public realm, transport and accommodation. This has provided a legacy that London can build upon.

Disabled people believe that overall there is better accessibility in the supply chain and the visitor experience in London. They also believe though that more still needs to done, as London has not yet reached its goal of being fully accessible.

Information about accessibility needs to be collated and marketed better. Improving the basic facilities like wheelchair access and accessible toilets have to be pushed harder. The transport programme continues to make more of the old tube system accessible. More needs to be done to ensure that London's Boroughs work more closely together to ensure a more homogenous public realm. There also needs to be greater engagement with small and medium enterprises to ensure they improve their accessibility.
There is also a requirement for getting disabled people to work with organisations, not just to help get it right but to lose historical mistrust and doubt about the next 'accessibility solution'.

Download the London Accessible Tourism Case Study in PDF format, produced by ENAT and Partners for the European Commission (2015).

Lousã, Portugal

Ivor Ambrose — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 17:27:00 GMT

Lousã, a small country town in the north of Portugal, is included here as an "Accessible Tourism Destination” due to the project conducted in this town and region in 2008-2011.

Photo. Lousã wheelchair downhill event, 2012. Accessible Portugal

Lousã, a small country town in the north of Portugal, is included here as an "Accessible Tourism Destination” due to the project conducted in this town and region in 2008-2011.

The project was an important first step of providing accessible tourism services from a destination perspective in Portugal and sought to develop a model for other towns to follow. One of the key aspects of the project was the collaborative approach that sought to include a diverse range of stakeholders in order to make the entire tourism supply chain accessible. This approach engaged the local authorities, private consultancies, organisations for people with disabilities as well as private businesses in different sectors of the tourism market. The organizational aspects of the projects were highly innovative and well-suited for creating an unbroken supply chain. In particular, the project produced an innovative approach to networking between different actors who both compete and collaborate with one another.

The key driver for this project was to exploit the economic potential of accessible tourism at a destination that was well-suited for nature, rural and sports tourism. In addition, the town had a long-standing tradition of including people with disabilities into society and was one of the first towns in Portugal to appoint an Ombudsman for Disabilities. Accessibility was in this vein a well-known concept already at the start of the project, which is believed to have had a positive influence on the project development and outcomes.

It is difficult to evaluate whether the project was successful in achieving its main goal of harnessing the market potential of accessible tourism. In particular, the economic crisis seems to have a major impact on the demand from tourists with accessibility needs, while from a supply perspective many of the planned adaptations works by both public and private sector actors have been put on hold. Nevertheless, the project has been instrumental in raising the importance of accessible tourism in Portugal as well as having developed some interesting approaches on how to encourage the development of an accessible destination.

Download the Lousã Accessible Tourism Case Study in PDF format, produced by ENAT and Partners for the European Commission (2015).

Arona, Tenerife, Spain

Ivor Ambrose — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:51:00 GMT

Arona one of the first and best examples of Accessible Tourism in Spain.

Photo Los Cristianos, Arona, Tenerife. By Mataparda, licensed under the terms of the cc-by-sa-2.0.

Arona one of the first and best examples of Accessible Tourism in Spain. Arona is divided in four clearly defined areas.

Playa de Las Americas, which presents a good quality tourist offer.
Playa de Los Cristianos, the commercial and cultural driving force of the town.
Playa de Las Galletas-Costa del Silencio, offering peaceful walks and beautiful gardens and Arona Rural, conjuring up the traditional Canary Islands.
Punta Salemas, the southernmost point on the island of Tenerife.

The case of Arona is quite unique due to two reasons; firstly, it was a destination made under the demand of tourists with disabilities that travelled to the municipality back in the 1960’s and secondly the destination has evolved over time to continuously remove barriers and encourage accessibility in the tourism sector.

Arona benefits from the underlying conditions of 3S tourism, Sun, Sea and Sand, with good weather beaches. However, it has been assisted through the effort of different entities (Arona municipality and Tourism Board, ONCE Foundation, SIMPROMI, and different private business) so that the municipality has been actively involved in implementing and monitoring accessibility measures.

It is noticeable how the tourism chain works in this destination and offers a wide range of possibilities to make the stay in Arona safe, comfortable and enjoyable for all. This includes , for instance, the assistive service for people with disabilities in Tenerife airport with around 200.000 services every year, the different options for transport, including the adapted taxis (Eurotaxis), to accessible accommodation, beaches and shopping centres and a wide range of sports and activities adapted for everybody.

This is, like other successful cases of accessible tourism in Spain like Ávila, Madrid or Barcelona, (among others) shows that one of the key factors for the achievement of accessibility in the tourism sector is the involvment of the DMO, together with the support of representatives of people with disabilities and the private sector.

Download the Arona Accessible Tourism Case Study in PDF format, produced by ENAT and Partners for the European Commission (2015).

City of Sozopol, Bulgaria

Ivor Ambrose — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:33:00 GMT

Sozopol is a town in south-eastern Bulgaria located on the Black Sea coast, situated on a few small peninsulas in the southern part of the Burgas Bay. With a population of 4,767 people, it is within the Burgas Province and is the administrative centre of the Municipality of Sozopol, which has a population of 14,833 people. It is a member of the League of Historical Accessible Cities.

Sozopol. Photo www.sozopol-foundation.com

Sozopol is a town in south-eastern Bulgaria located on the Black Sea coast, situated on a few small peninsulas in the southern part of the Burgas Bay.

With a population of 4,767 people, it is within the Burgas Province and is the administrative centre of the Municipality of Sozopol, which has a population of 14,833 people. Sozopol is divided into the Old and New Town, between which lies the Sea Garden. The Old Town is located on the small peninsula of Skamniy and has been declared an archaeological reserve. The boundaries of the Sozopol bay include the island of St. John and next to it the small island of St. Peter, which have also both been declared as archaeological reserves as well as a protected areas under Natura 2000.

A beautiful coastal town, Sozopol is the successor of the Greek colony Apollonia Pontica which was founded in 611 BC and is one of the oldest Bulgarian towns. It was named after Apollo, the Greek and Roman god of music, dance, poetry, prophecy, and medicine. His 13.2m high statue used to be a symbol of the town from 460 BC until Sozopol was conquered in 72 BC and the statue was brought to Rome. From antiquity to the 17th century Sozopol was a thriving commercial centre. The town has had an important role in the trade of fish from the Black Sea, as well as grain and copper from Thrace. From late antiquity Sozopol has been an important religious centre with many monasteries, as well as a centre of fine arts. For centuries it has been the most important port in the region.

The town attracts many tourists from around the world thanks to its cultural and historical past, its preserved architecture from the 18th and 19th century, its 4-14th century fortress, its beaches and annual Apollonia art festivals, and with the relics of St. John the Baptist found in the monastery of the same name which is the largest Christian centre in medieval Sozopol.

Sozopol Accessibility Project

Provision of accessible environment for people with disabilities to the natural and cultural sites on the territory of Archaeological Reserve Ancient Town of Apollonia in the town of Sozopol.

The main objective of this project is to allow a large number of people from Bulgaria and abroad to visit natural and cultural sites in Sozopol.

Some of the concrete measures of the project are the installation of tactile marking along strategic touristic points in the city. Furthermore, the provision of accessibility measures for people is also foreseen in many of the strategic point of the city such as: a urban park, the southern panoramic alley, the central beach, the architectural-historic complex southern fortress wall and tower, the municipal ethnographic museum, a tourist pier with panoramic view; the St. Cyril and Methodius’ church, the archaeological museum.

Sozopol Foundation has significant experience in development and implementation of projects related to providing access for people with disabilities to cultural heritage and natural sites. Since 2003 has developed great expertise in the use of EU structural funds and realised a great number of projects.

Working with government and municipal authorities of the Republic of Bulgaria and the National Agency for People with Disabilities, Sozopol Foundation maintains also regular contacts with NGOs, groups of people with disabilities and civil society.

► Download the document describing Sozopol's activities in favour of the people with disabilities

► Download the power point presenting Sozopol's activities within the League of Historical Accessible Cities

Athens, Greece

Ivor Ambrose — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 10:00:00 GMT

Athens' historical centre was developed and renovated in preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to the Greek Accessibility Guidelines and urban planning requirements. Today, the legacy of the 2004 Games can be seen in the accessible pedestrian environment and public transport network of the city centre.

Photo. Acropolis of Athens, ENAT

Athens is a world-renowned destination for tourists and attracts visitors from all over the world. The historical monuments of Athens and its museums are the most visited sites in Greece. 1.5 million people visited the Acropolis World Heritage site in 2012 and over 5 million people visited the New Acropolis Museum in the first 3 years after its opening in 2009.

The historical centre

The city’s historical centre was developed and renovated in preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to the Greek Accessibility Guidelines and urban planning requirements. The International Paralympic Committee’s expectations for an accessible city were also a motivating factor for creating an accessible environment for all. Today, the legacy of the 2004 Games can be seen in the accessible pedestrian environment and public transport network of the city centre.

This case study shows how the city of Athens achieved significant improvements in the accessibility of urban spaces, heritage sites and public transport for people with disabilities, within an overall plan which has re-defined the historical centre, its monuments, historical sites and streets, leading to a higher quality tourism offer. The planning process took into account the requirements of different disabled groups, strongly focusing on mobility and visually-impaired persons for movement in the public spaces. The so-called “Unification of the Archaeological Sites” by a pedestrian route was an innovative plan, creating a new, attractive accessible environment in a city centre that suffered greatly from motor traffic. This is a model of good practice that other Greek cities are now preparing to follow. The new Metro system is regarded as one of the most accessible in Europe, combining high technical standards with art and cultural exhibits at the stations. Together with the accessible trams and buses, this has contributed strongly to the success of the overall project.

One of the outstanding achievements of the project, in terms of accessibility, was the installation of a lift for wheelchair users to access the Athens Acropolis – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the symbol of Greek civilisation. This intervention has broken the boundaries of what was considered possible in adapting heritage sites, resulting in world-wide recognition that people with disabilities have right to visit and enjoy cultural heritage sites on equal terms with others. The lift solution was carefully planned and executed as a “reversible” intervention with minimal intrusion. In the beginning, only wheelchair users were allowed to use the lift but the policy has been widened to allow pushchairs and people with walking difficulties to use it, making the Acropolis truly “Accessible for All”.

For Athens itself, the city’s heritage area has gained even more popularity than before as it gives better access to everyone. It has become the focal point for citizens, with new tourist offers and it is a particular attraction for disabled visitors, seniors and families.

Improved access has brought other benefits, with the establishment of small enterprises and new activities, including bicycle rentals and guided walking tours. The renovated area also supports many local tavernas, cafeterias, hotels, museums and an open air cinema.

The case study also draws attention to weaknesses in the strategy of marketing Athens, as the city centre is not promoted as an ‘accessible destination’. Although Athens’ historical centre can be considered accessible to a high degree, there has been no significant follow-up in terms of marketing access as a quality product for visitors.

Download the Athens Accessible Heritage City Centre Case Study in PDF format, produced by ENAT and Partners for the European Commission (2015).

City of Salzburg, Austria

Ivor Ambrose — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:38:00 GMT

The City of Salzburg is located on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. In December 2011 the city won the EU Access City Award for 2012.

Photo: Old Town Salzburg across the Salzach river by Jiuguang Wang.

The City of Salzburg is located on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps.

In December 2011 the city won the EU Access City Award for 2012.

The Access City Award is given to the European city over 50,000 inhabitants which, in the judges opinion, has made the greatest contribution to achieving accessible to people with disabilities. The prize honours efforts to improve accessibility in the urban environment, services, transport and information and communication technologies, in order to foster the equal participation of people with disabilities.

The European Commission commended Salzburg's excellent results in improving accessibility, achieved with the direct participation of people with disabilities.

View the Salzburg Access video - hosted on the European Commission website

In recognition of its outstanding cultural attributes, Salzburg was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997. The city, known as the birthplace of Mozart, contains many examples of Baroque architecture, museums, festivals and sports events.