Accessibility at the forefront of tourism planning and product development

UN Tourism and the European Accessibility Resource Centre (AccessibleEU) have joined advocates for accessible tourism to advance policies, standards, incentives, skills and business strategies, making inclusion a reality for millions of people.

The latest report on "Improving accessible tourism for destinations, businesses and people" produced in collaboration with the government of San Marino and AccessibleEU, shows 25 good practices in accessibility advocated by Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan. 

It also provides insight into accessibility improvements in tourism based on culture and nature, festivals and pilgrimage routes, urban and rural experiences, sports and mega events, shopping tourism and transportation.

The report was officially presented at the international tourism fair FITUR 2025. which also served as a platform for continued public-private dialogue to further promote inclusive and accessible tourism for all.

Governments and businesses share a vision for accessible tourism

A special side event, hosted by UN Tourism and AccessibleEU with the support of the ONCE Foundation, the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) and ILUNION Accesibilidad, celebrated two decades of achievements in accessible tourism.

Seminar "Accessible tourism: leveraging the benefits of inclusive destinations for businesses and people" included discussions involving high-level policy makers from UN tourism member countries, including Ecuador, Italy and Portugal, alongside accessibility leaders from Málaga and Berlin, part of the UN International Tourism Network for Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO).

Governments and promotion committees emphasized are the importance of:

• Improvements in information and communication about accessible offerings to increase visitor comfort, safety and length of stay
• Strengthening transnational cooperation in order to increase the global accessible tourism market and monitor its constant growth
• Promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the sector 
• Using innovation and data to raise public awareness and attract investment

Private sector side by side with destinations

UN Tourism Associate Members and strategic partners in the sustainability agenda - the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WHSA) - together with leading tour operators and transport companies such as IMPULSA Igualdad (Spain), Sage Travelling (USA) and Holmeswood Coaches (UK), invited are on:

• Harmonizing accessibility standards and simplifying their application across the industry
• Leveraging technology and universal marketing platforms to promote accessible experiences
• Measuring the impact of accessibility improvements on employees, customers, and key stakeholders
• Incorporating accessibility into core business strategies

/ / / Program to increase accessibility and promote destinations adapted to people with disabilities

Photos: Tim Mossholder/Unsplash
Source: UN Tourism