How accessibility is good for business

As a service industry always thinking about the consumer first, we reflect on accessibility in tourism and how considering specific access requirements can bring economic benefits.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 15% of the population has some kind of need for accessibility assistance. 70% of Europeans with disabilities have physical and economic possibilities to travel.

According to the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) accessible tourism includes:

  • Barrier-free destinations: infrastructure and facilities
  • Transport (air, land and sea) suitable for all users
  • High-quality services: delivered by trained staff
  • Activities, exhibitions, attractions: allowing everyone to participate in tourism
  • Marketing, reservation systems, websites and services: information accessible to all.

In that context, HOTREC is a partner of the DIVETOUR project funded by the Erasmus + programme. Targeting students and professionals as well as staff and organisations in tourism and hospitality, DIVETOUR is delivering innovative e-learning tools relating to accessible tourism.

The first deliverable, to be launched in January 2023, is an online training platform and open learning community (cMOOC). It will give access to the latest research in accessible tourism as a response to challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The cMOOC will enhance the dialogue among Vocational Education Training professionals and companies to share ideas and best practices. The second deliverable is a game-based app to foster awareness among students of the ethical and economic relevance of accessible tourism. Last but not least, a hotel chatbot will be developed to interact with clients and improve the quality of information about issues such as inclusiveness and accessibility.

So don’t miss your chance to embark on this accessible tourism journey and discover why the tourism sector and the hospitality industry can highly benefit from considering specific access requirements. Register to the cMOOC (available from 21 November 2022): MOOC – Divetour.

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08 Sep
08/09/2023    
09:00 - 13:00
List of Participants Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Tourism Minister, will join us during the morning for an exchange (timing will be confirmed later) Draft Agenda [...]
Together for EU Tourism (T4T) stakeholder meeting
11/09/2023    
09:00 - 13:00
On 11 September 2023, the European Commission (DG GROW) will organise the first stakeholder event to support the co-implementation of the Transition Pathway for Tourism. This will be a hybrid event, taking place in Brussels and online.
Social Affairs Working Group meeting
12/09/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
On 12 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of its Social Affairs Working Group.
Members session on HOTREC European elections manifesto
14/09/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
On 14 September 2023, HOTREC will organise a members-only session to discuss the upcoming European Elections (June 2024). 
HOTREC Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee meeting
18/09/2023    
09:30 - 13:00
On the morning of 18 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of the Sectoral Social Dialogue (SSD) Committee. 
HOTREC Short-Term Rentals (STRs) Working Group meeting
21/09/2023    
10:00 - 11:30
On 21 September 2023, HOTREC will organise another meeting of its Short-Term Rentals Working Group.
Pact for Skills - Coordination meeting
21/09/2023    
15:00 - 16:30
On 21 September 2023 took place the 13th Coordination Meeting on the Pact for Skills - an initiative bringing together different skills national partnerships. The [...]
Social Dialogue reform - meeting with European Commission
27/09/2023    
09:30 - 12:00
On 27 September 2023, HOTREC, together with other social partners representatives, will meet wit the European Commission to discuss the future organisation of the Social [...]
Events on 08/09/2023
Events on 11/09/2023
Events on 12/09/2023
Events on 18/09/2023