Tourism for all !
Tourists come in all shapes and sizes – let them in! In the one of most popular tourism destinations in Europe – Vienna was held the 2nd International congress dedicated to accessible tourism – trends and prospects.
Today when development of new solutions and markets is very important - creating the tourism product more accessible and thus more attractive for people with children, in wheelchairs, with sight, speech or hearing impairments as well as for elderly people - is great possibility to expand the market.
But not only is the physical accessibility important! We can develop also our tourism products and offers considering senses such as taste, smell, hear and touch.
Some good practices how to create accessible tourism destinations and adapt related sectors as transport, accommodations, catering already exist so we don’t have to invent a wheel. Public transport system in Vienna has made great step forward to create public transport more accessible not only for people with mobility impairments, but also with sight impairments. Using the knowledge of people behavior best position for placing information has been found and reality check has been used to secure if new constructions really work.
There is lot of possibilities to develop towards a barrier free tourism for all. To reduce still existing great gap between the tourism industry and people- to realize the fear of service providers and special needs of travelers.
Thinking how to secure that best practices don’t remain as small island solutions, but fosters the development of tourism for all in most destinations, the key factors might be education of tourism professionals, designers and architects and promotion of philosophy design for all - targeting at the use of product and services by as many people as possible without the need for adaptation.
For the promotion of ethical business standards in Accessible Tourism for All international labeling scheme has been developed. The ENAT Code of Good Conduct is a commitment label and certification scheme for tourism businesses and organizations, recognizing their efforts to promote accessible travel and tourism. The Code consists of 8 guiding principles which businesses and organizations follow, so as to make travel and tourism accessible for all visitors who experience access difficulties. These customers may need better access and services due to disability, long-standing health problems, age-related conditions or other temporary or permanent personal conditions which restrict their access.
