Tuesday, December 3, 2024
UN Tourism, in collaboration with the ONCE Basis and the Spanish Affiliation for Standardization, is asking on tourism locations and companies globally to enhance accessibility for vacationers with disabilities and seniors. This message, delivered in celebration of Worldwide Day of Individuals with Disabilities, underscores the untapped potential of accessible tourism and its far-reaching financial and social benefits. Regardless of 1.3 billion folks worldwide residing with vital disabilities, many locations and tourism suppliers proceed to miss the advantages of welcoming this necessary demographic.
By means of the discharge of the ISO 21902:2021 Requirements on Accessible Tourism, UN Tourism and its companions are offering a roadmap for each locations and companies to faucet into this rising market. By making small however impactful investments in accessibility, these stakeholders cannot solely improve the journey expertise for folks with disabilities and older vacationers but in addition considerably increase their financial efficiency.
A Rising Demand for Accessible Journey
Latest research spotlight the rising demand for accessible journey choices. With 1.3 billion folks globally affected by vital disabilities, the necessity for accessible tourism experiences is immense. On the identical time, the growing older inhabitants is about to rise dramatically, with projections displaying that by 2029, 1 in 6 folks worldwide will likely be over the age of 60, a lot of whom would require specialised providers when touring.
Moreover, vacationers with disabilities usually journey with 2 to three companions, additional rising the potential marketplace for accessible tourism. Within the European Union, over 70% of the 80 million folks with disabilities are able to touring and having fun with tourism experiences. Within the Asia-Pacific area, the potential market stands at 690 million folks, whereas in Latin America and the Caribbean, it reaches 85 million folks.
Investing in Accessible Tourism: A Good Enterprise Technique
The newly launched pointers from UN Tourism and its companions supply sensible insights into how locations and tourism companies can enhance accessibility. From infrastructure enhancements to the adoption of revolutionary applied sciences, there are quite a few methods to create extra inclusive journey experiences. These small modifications not solely improve the lives of a good portion of the inhabitants but in addition deliver financial rewards to the tourism trade by attracting a wider vary of vacationers.
Accessibility isn’t just an ethical obligation—it’s also a sensible enterprise technique. By investing in accessible tourism, locations can enhance their enchantment to a rising, under-served market. Furthermore, accessible tourism fosters inclusivity and variety, strengthening the fame of locations as welcoming locations for all vacationers.
In conclusion, accessible tourism represents an enormous, largely untapped market that gives vital potential for progress and innovation. On this Worldwide Day of Individuals with Disabilities, UN Tourism urges the tourism trade to prioritize accessibility, guaranteeing that journey is inclusive, welcoming, and accessible to all.
UN Tourism Secretary-Common Zurab Pololikashvili says: “Everybody should be able to enjoy tourism. At UN Tourism we have been advocating for accessibility for many years, and the benefits have never been clearer. The new guidelines on accessible tourism, produced by UN Tourism and our partners, set out how both destinations and businesses can harness the power of innovation and investment to boost accessibility in every way.”
Accessible tourism is quickly rising as a game-changer for bettering the efficiency of locations, significantly throughout the mid- and low-tourism seasons. With a various and constant buyer base, accessible tourism not solely boosts customer numbers but in addition creates jobs and considerably enhances the fame of locations and companies that embrace inclusivity. By welcoming all guests—no matter disabilities—locations place themselves as leaders in world tourism.
To assist tourism companies and locations faucet into the potential of accessible tourism, UN Tourism, in collaboration with its companions, has launched six complete units of pointers. These pointers had been developed in partnership with the ONCE Basis, the Spanish Affiliation for Standardization (UNE), and the European Community for Accessible Tourism, together with quite a few different trade collaborators.
Key Areas of Focus
The rules emphasize the significance of the Worldwide ISO 21902:2021 Normal on Accessible Tourism, highlighting finest practices for varied sectors throughout the tourism trade. The goal teams for these pointers embrace:
- Nationwide tourism administrations and vacation spot administration organizations
- Lodging, meals and beverage, and MICE firms
- Journey businesses and tour operators
- Transport sector
- Heritage websites and cultural establishments
- Organizations and companies working in protected nature areas
The rules supply strategic, actionable suggestions to reinforce accessibility and make sure that all vacationers, no matter capability, can take pleasure in tourism on equal phrases. By implementing accessibility measures, companies and locations can enhance consolation, service, and the general high quality of life for each guests and host communities alike.
A Collaborative Strategy to Accessible Tourism
The upcoming Madrid Worldwide Tourism Truthful (FITUR 2025) will function a key platform to debate and discover the implementation of those pointers. UN Tourism is grateful for the help of its 15 strategic companions, who embrace:
- European Accessibility Centre-AccessibleEU
- European Community for Accessible Tourism (ENAT)
- Turismo de Portugal
- Ministerio de Turismo y Deportes de Argentina
- World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WSHA)
- Worldwide Affiliation of Executives & Resort Managers (CIDH)
- ICOMOS-Worldwide Cultural Tourism Committee
- IUCN-Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group
- Nationwide Forest Company of Chile
- Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation (IATA)
- Worldwide Union of Railways (IUC)
- Fédération Internationale de l’Car (IUC)
- Cruise Traces Worldwide Affiliation (CLIA)
- Sage Accessible Journey Options
- Impulsa Igualdad-Tur4All
These companions play an important position within the effort to make tourism extra inclusive, demonstrating a collective dedication to bettering the journey expertise for all.
Conclusion: Unlocking the Energy of Accessible Tourism
The rules set forth by UN Tourism present a transparent path for companies and locations to embrace accessible tourism as a device for progress and inclusivity. By following these suggestions, tourism operators can appeal to a wider vary of tourists, improve their fame, and create a extra sustainable and equitable tourism trade. As we look ahead to FITUR 2025, the tourism trade is poised to take vital strides towards a extra inclusive future.
