Reports and Articles | ENAT

EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism Text Adopted by European Parliament 25 March 2021

Ivor Ambrose — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 10:05:00 GMT

25 March 2021, Brussels. The Parliament voted on the INI report on Sustainable Tourism. The resolution on an EU strategy for sustainable tourism was adopted by 577 votes to 31, and 80 abstentions. It notes that the COVID-19 outbreak has paralysed the EU’s tourism sector, putting millions of jobs at risk.

25 March 2021, Brussels. The Parliament voted on the INI report on Sustainable Tourism. The resolution on an EU strategy for sustainable tourism was adopted by 577 votes to 31, and 80 abstentions.

It notes that the COVID-19 outbreak has paralysed the EU’s tourism sector, putting millions of jobs at risk.

The text begins:

Rebuild: COVID-19 impact response plans

1. Stresses that the COVID-19 outbreak has paralysed the EU tourism sector, putting its ecosystem under unprecedented pressure; highlights that continued short-term financial support is essential to the survival of the sector, especially in light of the second and third wave of the pandemic; believes, nonetheless, that the current crisis should lead the Commission and Member States to fully acknowledge the importance of the tourism industry, to fully integrate it into European and national development plans, to enhance the quality of its offer, to make it more sustainable and accessible for all, and to launch long-overdue public and private investment in the digitalisation and overall modernisation of the sector;

Read the full text in more languages at the Europa website.

NOTE:

MEP Istvan Ujhelyi drafted an additional motion to this report on the creation of the European Tourism Union. This AM was voted too, so the majority of the MEPs supported the idea of a stronger European Tourism Policy with the establishment of the European Tourism Union.

Istvan Ujhelyi stated: “The bankruptcy of the Thomas Cook and now the coronavirus epidemic have highlighted the need for EU-level solutions: immediate financial support, a crisis management mechanism, clear rules to facilitate travel, and a long-term European tourism strategy. Tourism is part of the European Green Deal, and the innovative digital solutions can help to relaunch the sector in a more sustainable way. After hearing Parliament's proposal, the Commission decided to set up a European Health Union, with a budget in the seven-year MFF. I am convinced that in the coming months, European leaders will recognize that a similar achievement is needed, in the field of tourism to create the European Tourism Union!”

The AM on the European Tourism Union:
"17. Calls for a discussion to be initiated at the Conference on the Future of Europe on helping tourism to become a shared competence of the EU, rather than a complementary competence as is currently the case; stresses that the Treaties currently provide significant flexibility for EU policies in the field of tourism, which is not being fully utilised by the Commission; calls on the Commission, therefore, to start making full use of the Treaties to develop a comprehensive European tourism policy towards the creation of the European Tourism Union".

Download the full text in PDF format from the right-hand panel.

Accessible Air Travel - Recommendations of the German Aviation Association

Ivor Ambrose — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 13:22:54 GMT

In the framework of the "PRM-Dialogue" which is organized by the German Aviation Association, a set of recommendations for (not frequently flying) passengers was developed. The German version was published in 2019 and the English version in March 2021.

In the framework of the "PRM-Dialogue" which is organized by the German Aviation Association, a set of recommendations for (not frequently flying) passengers was developed.

The German version was published in 2019 and the English version in March 2021.

The recommendations cover:

Passenger rights to assistance.
Flight booking and assistance request.
Day of travel: at the airport.
Day of travel: On the aircraft.
Day of travel: De-boarding and transfer.
Claims.
Further information.

Download the Recommendations in PDF format from the right-hand panel.

UNWTO Tourism Recovery Guide 2: Harnessing the Power of Culture and Creativity in Tourism Recovery

Ivor Ambrose — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 14:04:02 GMT

Madrid, Spain, 25 February 2021 - The shared values and close ties between tourism and culture stakeholders means both sectors can work together to ensure inclusive access to heritage, as countries around the world recover from the pandemic. In recognition of this mutually reinforcing relationship, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and UNESCO have collaborated to produce a set of new guidelines focusing on the responsible restart of cultural tourism. UNWTO invited the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to contribute to the UNWTO Inclusive Recovery Guide, Issue 2: Cultural Tourism. This is the second set of guidelines relating to the socio-cultural impacts of COVID-19 issued by UNWTO and will continue to be revised, as the situation evolves. Make cultural tourism relevant in the recovery The publication draws on the insights and expertise of the two UN agencies to analyse the impact of the pandemic on their respective sectors. This includes how lost revenues are severely impacting communities, heritage sites, cultural events, spaces and institutions, while also weakening destinations’ competitiveness and market differentiation. The guidelines on cultural tourism also stress the need for support from policymakers to ensure the relevance of culture in the emergency and contingency planning within tourism destinations.

Madrid, Spain, 25 February 2021 The shared values and close ties between tourism and culture stakeholders means both sectors can work together to ensure inclusive access to heritage, as countries around the world recover from the pandemic. In recognition of this mutually reinforcing relationship, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and UNESCO have collaborated to produce a set of new guidelines focusing on the responsible restart of cultural tourism.

UNWTO invited the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to contribute to the UNWTO Inclusive Recovery Guide, Issue 2: Cultural Tourism. This is the second set of guidelines relating to the socio-cultural impacts of COVID-19 issued by UNWTO and will continue to be revised, as the situation evolves.

Make cultural tourism relevant in the recovery

The publication draws on the insights and expertise of the two UN agencies to analyse the impact of the pandemic on their respective sectors. This includes how lost revenues are severely impacting communities, heritage sites, cultural events, spaces and institutions, while also weakening destinations’ competitiveness and market differentiation.

The guidelines on cultural tourism also stress the need for support from policymakers to ensure the relevance of culture in the emergency and contingency planning within tourism destinations.

Read more and Download the UNWTO Recovery Guide 2 from the UNWTO Website.

Download the UNWTO Press release from the right hand panel in PDF format.

ENAT Annual Report 2019

Ivor Ambrose — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 16:38:00 GMT

The ENAT Annual Report 2019 records the membership of the association and its activities carried out in 2019.

The ENAT Annual Report 2019 records the membership of the association and its activities carried out in 2019.

Download the report in PDF format from the right-hand panel.

1.    Membership
2.   ENAT Strategy and Activities
2.1 ENAT Strategy and Workplan 2016 to 2020
2.2 Network Activities
2.2.1 ENAT National Co-ordinators’ and Full Members’ Activities   5
2.3   ENAT Fund-raising, Sponsorship and Recruitment
2.4   Recruitment
2.5   Full Membership Candidates
3.   ENAT Publicity and Outreach
3.1 ENAT Web Portal Development
3.1.1 Regional websites
3.1.2 e-Bulletin
3.1.3 On-line Resource Centre
3.2 ENAT Print Publications
3.2.1 Publicity Leaflets
3.2.2 ENAT Code of Good Conduct Commitment Label
3.3 List of Events attended by ENAT representatives in 2019
4   Working Groups and Projects
4.1    ENAT Policy Group
4.2   Accessible Tourism Projects & Good Practices
4.3   ENAT World Tourism for All Quality Programme – Pilot Phase continuation, 2019
4.4   Project Applications presented in 2019
4.5   Ongoing Projects
4.6 UNWTO – ENAT – F.ONCE Collaboration Agreement
4.7   World Network/Organisation of Accessible Tourism
5. ANNEX 1. List of ENAT Members, December 2019

Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Ivor Ambrose — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 18:15:00 GMT

UN Resolution on Sustainable Development, adopted 25 September 2015.

This report is a PDF version of the Resolution A/RES/70/1 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2015.

Download the Report from the right-hand panel in PDF format.
Download the Resolution (original text in English) from the right-hand panel in PDF format.

The Preamble and list of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are quoted below.

Preamble

This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. It also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom. We recognize that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. All countries and all stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership, will implement this plan.

We are resolved to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure our planet. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world on to a sustainable and resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets which we are announcing today demonstrate the scale and ambition of this new universal Agenda. They seek to build on the Millennium Development Goals and complete what they did not achieve. They seek to realize the human rights of all and to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. They are integrated and indivisible and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental.

The Goals and targets will stimulate action over the next 15 years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet.

People
We are determined to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.

Planet
We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations.

Prosperity
We are determined to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature.

Peace
We are determined to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.

Partnership
We are determined to mobilize the means required to implement this Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people. The interlinkages and integrated nature of the Sustainable Development Goals are of crucial importance in ensuring that the purpose of the new Agenda is realized. If we realize our ambitions across the full extent of the Agenda, the lives of all will be profoundly improved and our world will be transformed for the better.

The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries

Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

UK Dementia-Friendly Tourism Guide - A Practical Guide for Businesses

Ivor Ambrose — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 09:53:12 GMT

VisitEngland and VisitScotland have launched a new guide to help tourism businesses become more dementia-friendly. The Guide, launched in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, supports tourism businesses in accommodating visitors living with dementia through top tips, case studies and signposts to resources.

VisitEngland and VisitScotland have launched a new guide to help tourism businesses become more dementia-friendly.

The Dementia-Friendly Tourism Guide, launched in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, supports tourism businesses in accommodating visitors living with dementia through top tips, case studies and signposts to resources.

The guide, developed with England’s Inclusive Tourism Action Group, lists the benefits that businesses will experience alongside the huge impact that these can have on the lives of 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK. Improvements do not need to involve significant investment and the guide highlights the small steps businesses can take, organised around the themes of Information, People and Place.

Visitors with dementia face a number of challenges including having the confidence to travel, communicating in noisy environments and becoming disorientated when navigating new places or long routes.

By becoming dementia-friendly, a business will be able to help people with dementia live better lives. Employers will also experience many benefits, such as increased revenue and competitive advantage, improved customer service and enhanced reputation. It will also improve seasonal spread as tourists with dementia prefer to travel in quieter periods and will future-proof businesses by tapping into a growth market.

Under the Equality Act 2010, organisations have a legal obligation to ensure consumers are adequately protected and that access to services is as inclusive as possible. This includes making ‘reasonable adjustments’ for customers and staff with disabilities, including people with dementia.
Ross Calladine, VisitEngland Head of Business Support, said:

“Using the practical tips outlined in the guide businesses will make significant improvements to the lives of people living with dementia, their carers and loved ones, and drive the economic benefits of tourism further.

“The value of this sector is expected to rise to £23 billion by 2020 presenting a great opportunity for tourism businesses to offer the warmest of welcomes to people with dementia.”
Sally Copley, Director of Policy and Campaigns at Alzheimer’s Society, said:

“Everyone deserves a short break or holiday to relax and recharge. We are delighted to be uniting with VisitEngland and VisitScotland and raising awareness of what’s possible when the right support and adjustments are put in place, so people with dementia can still get out and enjoy life while creating memories with loved ones.

“Until we find a cure, it’s vital that we do everything we can to make sure everyone with dementia can continue to lead full and meaningful lives. VisitEngland and VisitScotland join more than three million Dementia Friends and hundreds of communities and other organisations in making this a reality.”

Download the Guide from the right-hand panel in PDF format.

Leading dementia charity, Alzheimer’s Society, is at the forefront of the biggest ever social action movement in dementia – Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends, which aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.

The UK tourism industry has demonstrated its commitment to accessibility in the Tourism Sector Deal, pledging to make the UK the most accessible tourism destination in Europe by 2025.

VisitEngland is an Associate Member of ENAT

ENAT Annual Report 2018

Ivor Ambrose — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 05:20:00 GMT

The ENAT Annual Report 2018 records the membership of the association and its activities carried out in 2018.

The ENAT Annual Report 2018 records the membership of the association and its activities carried out in 2018.

Download the report in PDF format from the right-hand panel.

European Accessibility Act (Official Journal of the EU L151 Full Text)

Ivor Ambrose — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 07:58:01 GMT

Published 7 June 2019. English edition.

Published 7 June 2019. English edition. (156 pages).

Download the document in PDF format from the right-hand panel.

For other EU language versions and other formats, go to the Official Journal webpage.

World Report On Disability 2011

Ivor Ambrose — Wed, 29 May 2019 14:43:23 GMT

About 15% of the world's population lives with some form of disability, of whom 2-4% experience significant difficulties in functioning. The global disability prevalence is higher than previous WHO estimates, which date from the 1970s and suggested a figure of around 10%. This global estimate for disability is on the rise due to population ageing and the rapid spread of chronic diseases, as well as improvements in the methodologies used to measure disability.

The first ever WHO/World Bank World report on disability reviews evidence about the situation of people with disabilities around the world. Following chapters on understanding disability and measuring disability, the report contains topic-specific chapters on health; rehabilitation; assistance and support; enabling environments; education; and employment. Within each chapter, there is a discussion of the barriers confronted, and case studies showing how countries have succeeded in addressing these by promoting good practice.

In its final chapter, the report offers nine concrete recommendations for policy and practice which if put in place could lead to real improvements in the lives of people with disability.

Download the Summary Report in PDF format from the right-hand panel (English version).

Other languages and formats are available from the WHO website

Village4All Destination Guides for Italy and San Marino

Ivor Ambrose — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 10:04:00 GMT

To celebrate their 10-year anniversary, Village4All is giving away its most beautiful guide ever!

To celebrate our 10-year anniversary we are giving away our most beautiful guide ever!

This guide will thrill you, offer you new experiences, and recommend “minor” destination, which all have one thing in common, Hospitality!

We’ve never lacked commitment to providing “holidays for all” as our passion’s been driving us all these years. Our passion for tourism.

As of now, you can find a BOOK NOW button to directly contact all the tourist facilities in the V4A® Network.

We assign a score from 1 to 5 for “six categories of need”. This system has been conceived to help you choose, but don’t forget that we NEVER award accessibility labels.

The button Find out more on Accessibility and Hospitality allows you to get further information, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, just contact us, we’ll find it for you.

The facilities presented in this guide are located not only in Italy, but also in Croatia and in San Marino. They are of extraordinary quality. Find them all here!

Roberto and Silvia
--
Link to the download page.

Visit Village4All

Village4All is a Full Member of ENAT

ENAT Annual Report 2017

Ivor Ambrose — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 15:37:00 GMT

The ENAT Annual report 2017 records the membership of the association and its activities carried out in 2017.

The ENAT Annual Report 2017 records the membership of the association and its activities carried out in 2017.

Download the report in PDF format from the right-hand panel.

Contents:

1. Membership
2. ENAT Strategy and Activities
2.1 ENAT Strategy and Workplan 2016 to 2020
2.2 Network Activities
2.2.1 ENAT National Co-ordinators’ and Full Members’ Activities
2.3 ENAT Fund-raising, Sponsorship and Recruitment
2.4 Recruitment
2.4.2 Full Membership Candidates
3. ENAT Publicity and Outreach
6.1 ENAT Web Portal Development
3.1.1 Regional websites
3.1.2 e-Bulletin
3.1.3 On-line Resource Centre
3.2 ENAT Print Publications
3.2.1 Publicity Leaflets
3.2.2 ENAT Code of Good Conduct Commitment Label
3.3 List of Events attended by ENAT representatives in 2017
4. Working Groups and Projects 4.1 ENAT Policy Group
4.2 Accessible Tourism Projects & Good Practices
4.3 ENAT Quality Label – Pilot Phase
4.4 Project Applications presented in 2017
4.5 Projects
4.5.1 Pantou.org
4.5.2 ACCESS ANGELS
4.5.3 APP TOUR YOU
4.5.4 BRENDAIT
4.5.5 ENAT – Turismo de Portugal Framework Agreement
4.5.6 Tourism for All in Lebanon
4.5.7 ELEVATOR
4.5.8 NEWSCAT
4.5.9 T-GuiDE – Tourist Guide Training for People with Intellectual and Learning Difficulties in Europe
4.5.10 ATTIMO Accessible Transnational Thematic Itineraries and InterModality
4.5.11 ALL – Across Lombards Lands
4.6 UNWTO – ENAT – F.ONCE Collaboration Agreement
4.7 World Network/Organisation of Accessible Tourism
ANNEX 1. List of ENAT Members, December 2017

TAD - The Ability Advisor. First Report: A Tour Around

Ivor Ambrose — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 18:38:25 GMT

The first report from TAD - The Ability Advisor project - examines accessible tourism and vocational training in Belgium, Italy, Lithuania and Portugal. Download the report free of charge from the ENAT Library.

Through the state-of-the-art research, it was possible to understand the existing VET offers and market needs via the analysis of enterprises’ facilities and the professional education and training offers from four different European EU Member States: Belgium, Italy, Lithuania and Portugal.

Concerning VET provisions, the research applied in Belgium showed that despite the interest in training (often paid by tourism offices of the main Belgian regions), VET providers don’t tackle that subject in their (very scarce) training courses on tourism.

In Italy half of the VET organisations that implemented specific modules regarding the subject of “Accessible tourism” have encountered “lack of interest from the businesses to have personnel with these competencies”. The experience suggests, the problem is also that the standard contents for the courses do not offer enough flexibility.

In Lithuania VET organisations don ́t have direct accessible tourism related topics. Nevertheless, training programme can be applied as continuous vocational training programmes or complement modules of the existing ones: social services, catering, room management, etc. The report makes clear that the TAD report should be a starting point for development of vocational education programme curricula on the topic of accessible tourism in Lithuania.

In Portugal, several Training Units are dedicated to accessible Tourism and they can be inspirational to other countries and to the TAD Project.

The introduction of a new professional profile in the national and/or regional frameworks in the involved countries is quite a complex and long procedure but it can vary per targets of the course and its length. However, although it is not impossible, it is in general terms very difficult to add new professional profiles to the ones already in the “official catalogue system” unless it is something decided by the Regional or National Governments.

Download the full Report in PDF format from the right-hand panel. (158 pages, 2 MB).

Disclaimer: The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

ENAT is a partner in the TAD Consortium

ERASMUS+ KA2 Strategic Partnership Project n° 2017-1-LT01-KA202-035218-991445925

Visit the TAD project website.

Accessible Travel Phrasebook

Ivor Ambrose — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 21:14:52 GMT

Lonely Planet has released its first ever travel phrasebook for travellers with disabilities thanks to Martin Heng and many other volunteer translators who helped contribute to the book. Accessible Travel Phrasebook is available online and can be downloaded for free via mobile devices, laptops and tablets.

Lonely Planet has released its first ever travel phrasebook for travellers with disabilities thanks to Accessible Travel Manager, Martin Heng and many other volunteer translators who helped contribute to the book.

The Accessible Travel Phrasebook is available online and can be downloaded for free via mobile devices, laptops and tablets.

The tiny useful pocketbook comes with phrases in 35 languages, from Arabic to Chinese. It includes 100 disability-specific words and phrases, easy-to-follow pronunciation guides, vocabulary on topics ranging from hotels to transportation and many more unique features.

“All travellers will get more out of their trip by being able to speak a few words of the local language, but for people with disabilities, it’s often vital to be able to explain your particular needs,” Heng said in a statement.

“Since standard phrasebooks are unlikely to contain the language you use to talk about disability needs, we decided to gather together some disability-specific words and phrases and translate them into as many different languages as we practically could. There are still plenty of barriers to travel for people with a disability—language doesn’t have to be yet another.”

Heng said he hoped the new phrasebook would help encourage disabled people to travel more.

“We want to help people with access needs to get out into the world and experience the benefits that travel has to offer,” he said. “If this Accessible Travel Phrasebook encourages just a few more people with disabilities to get on the road, we will have taken one more step toward making the benefits of travel accessible to all.”

Contents (Languages and page numbers)

ARABIC 12 BAHASA INDONESIA 22 BAHASA MALAY 33 BRAZILIAN PORTUGUESE 43 BURMESE 53 CROATIAN 66 DANISH 76 DUTCH 86 FARSI 96 FRENCH 108 GERMAN 120 GREEK 130 HEBREW 140 HINDI 150 ITALIAN 162 JAPANESE 172 KHMER 182 KOREAN 194 LATIN AMERICAN SPANISH 206 MANDARIN 216 NEPALI 227 POLISH 239 PORTUGUESE (EUROPEAN) 249 ROMANIAN 260 RUSSIAN 270 SERBIAN 280 SINHALESE 290 SLOVENIAN 303 SPANISH 313 SWAHILI 323 TAGALOG 334 TAMIL 344 THAI 356 UKRAINIAN 367 VIETNAMESE 377.

Martin Heng was appointed as Honorary Board Member of ENAT in 2018.

EU Parliament Study Report - Transport and Tourism for Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Reduced Mobility

Ivor Ambrose — Mon, 14 May 2018 21:50:00 GMT

8 May 2018. This study has undertaken literature reviews, user and experts’ questionnaires, interviews and workshop surveys, analysis of EU legislation, SWOT and Multi-Criteria Analysis, identification of best practices and analyses of case studies. This has led to a mapping of accessibility across the EU Member States (identifying relevant state clusters) for three different sectors: local transport, long-distance transport, and tourism. Specific policies, research priorities and recommendations are made per state clusters and for the EU, which can enhance accessibility in each of the three sectors.

8 May 2018. This extensive study has undertaken literature reviews, user and experts’ questionnaires, interviews and workshop surveys, analysis of EU legislation, SWOT and Multi-Criteria Analysis, identification of best practices and analyses of case studies.

This has led to a mapping of accessibility across the EU Member States (identifying relevant state clusters) for three different sectors: local transport, (which includes mainly public transport services such as buses, trams, metro, and short-distance rail transport, but also the use of personal cars and personal mobility aids); long-distance transport, (including road, rail, air, and maritime transport) and tourism.

The aim of this study is to provide Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) with clear recommendations on what could be done, in particular at the EU policy level, to support accessibility in the transport and tourism sectors.

Specific policies, research priorities and recommendations are made per state clusters and for the EU, which can enhance accessibility in each of the three sectors.

The project was carried out by:

Contractor: Centre for Research and Technology Hellas / Hellenic Institute of Transport - CERTH, (Greece)

Sub-contractors: European Disability Forum (EDF) and European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT).

Downloads

Download the Main Report in PDF format from the right-hand panel in PDF format. (6.90 MB)

The Annexes, containing over 100 case study examples, are available in a single PDF document from the EU Parliament website (10.8 MB).

“Tourism for All - Promoting Universal Accessibility” Good Practices in the Accessible Tourism Supply Chain

Ivor Ambrose — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 11:59:00 GMT

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.

Cover of the "Tourism for All" brochure, UNWTO.

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. The examples show some of the best practices in the most relevant aspects of accessible tourism provision:

Accessible Heritage Tourism: Best Practices of Universal Accessibility in India: Adapting sensitive cultural monuments to enable all visitors to enjoy cultural heritage sites;
Exhibition of 3-D copies of Works of Art from the Prado Museum ́s Collection, Spain: Use of new technologies to make art accessible for visitors with visual impairments;
Everyone Belongs Outside: Push to Open Nature & the Alberta Parks Inclusion Plan, Canada: Inclusion of often-excluded groups of visitors, such as persons with reduced mobility and learning difficulties, in outdoor environments;
Barrier-free Tour Center, Japan: Application of accessibility-improvement measures and Universal Design to achieve access in urban planning and buildings through advocacy groups working with public and private sector;
Lonely Planet Accessible Travel Guide: Availability of accessibility information; and
T-GUIDE: Guiding Visitors with Learning Difficulties: Vocational training course on guiding visitors with intellectual impairments or learning difficulties at cultural heritage sites.

While these examples provide a small sample of possible solutions regarding accessibility, they will hopefully inspire others to take steps towards broadening the availability of accessible offers in tourist destinations around the world. The very first step is to open one’s mind to the idea that “Tourism is For All”. From then on, with the help of the appropriate guidance and know-how, accessible tourism can become part of every tourism experience.

Illustrated, 24 Pages. Download the document in PDF format from the right-hand panel.

This is the accessible PDF version, uploaded on 1st September 2016.

UNWTO has partnered in the last 5 years with the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) and the Spanish ONCE Foundation for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, amongst other organizations, to produce specific recommendations and technical manuals for making destinations ever more accessible.

For more information please visit http://ethics.unwto.org/en/content/accessible-tourism

World Tourism Day, 27 September 2016.