SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Mar 2, 2025 – Destinations and companies place accessibility at the forefront of tourism planning and product development. This collaborative effort, spearheaded by UN Tourism and the European Accessibility Resource Centre (AccessibleEU), aims to revolutionize the tourism industry by making it inclusive for millions of people.
The recently released report, "Advancing Accessible Tourism for Destinations, Companies, and People," produced in partnership with the Government of San Marino and AccessibleEU, highlights 25 exemplary practices from countries including Belgium, Czechia, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan. This comprehensive report, launched at the 2025 FITUR international tourism trade fair, provides valuable insights into accessibility improvements across various tourism sectors, including culture- and nature-based tourism, festivals and pilgrimage routes, urban and rural experiences, sports and mega events, shopping tourism, and transportation.
Governments and Businesses Unite for Accessible Tourism Vision
FITUR also served as a critical platform for ongoing public-private dialogue, fostering a shared vision for inclusive and accessible tourism. A special side event, hosted by UN Tourism and AccessibleEU with support from the ONCE Foundation, the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), and ILUNION Accesibilidad, commemorated two decades of progress in accessible tourism.
The seminar, "Accessible Tourism: Harnessing the Benefits of Inclusive Destinations for Companies and People," featured discussions with high-level policymakers from UN Tourism Member States, including Ecuador, Italy, and Portugal, as well as accessibility leaders from Málaga and Berlin, both members of the UN Tourism International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO).
Governments and promotion boards emphasized several key priorities:
- Improving Information and Communication: Enhancing the accessibility of information and communication about available offerings to improve visitors' comfort, safety, and length of stay.
- Strengthening Transnational Cooperation: Fostering collaboration across borders to accurately assess the global accessible tourism market and track its continuous growth.
- Promoting Employment Opportunities: Creating more job opportunities for individuals with disabilities within the tourism sector.
- Utilizing Innovation and Data: Leveraging technology and data to raise public awareness and attract investments in accessible tourism.
Private Sector Collaboration Drives Accessibility Advancements
The private sector, represented by UN Tourism's Affiliate Members and strategic partners in the sustainability agenda—the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WHSA)—along with leading tour operators and transportation companies such as IMPULSA Igualdad (Spain), Sage Travelling (USA), and Holmeswood Coaches (UK), also played a significant role in the discussions.
These private sector leaders called for:
- Harmonizing Accessibility Standards: Simplifying and standardizing accessibility implementation across the industry.
- Leveraging Technology and Universal Marketing Platforms: Utilizing technology and universal marketing platforms to promote accessible experiences.
- Measuring the Impacts of Accessibility Advancements: Assessing the impact of accessibility improvements on employees, customers, and key stakeholders.
- Embedding Accessibility into Core Business Strategies: Integrating accessibility into the fundamental strategies of businesses.
The collaborative effort between governments and the private sector underscores the commitment to making accessible tourism a reality. As stated in the report, this initiative aims to make "inclusion a reality for millions of people." By focusing on policies, standards, incentives, skills, and business strategies, UN Tourism and AccessibleEU are paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible global tourism landscape. This initiative shows that businesses are beginning to "Embedding accessibility into core business strategies."
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