Technical INSTO Webinar on: Accessibility

All Regions
7 Sep 21

Tuesday, 7 September 2021 | 3PM CEST (Madrid Time)

Travelling can be a major challenge for the 15% of the world´s population who live with some form of disability. More than 1 billion people face physical, sensory, cognitive and cultural barriers on a daily basis, as well as difficulties in finding clear and accurate information on the accessibility of the tourism facilities, services and experiences, offered by destinations and service providers. The pandemic has supposed new obstacles and brought along new limitations.

The recently published ISO 21902 Accessible Tourism for All is a major achievement towards making our sector more accessible. It has been designed as a comprehensive international standard to benefit all, including people with disabilities and specific access requirements, seniors, families with young children and people with temporary disabilities, allowing all to enjoy travel and tourism on an equal access basis.

Measuring and monitoring accessibility, at a global level, is still in its infancy, as our sector usually relies on estimates from research projects or specialized observatories. For decision- making on future development in the sphere of accessible tourism, specific qualitative and quantitative data is needed. Such will not only help to better understand the actual needs and behavioural patterns of the travellers with access requirements, but will also make the business case of Tourism for All more evident for the private sector and public investments.

This fourth technical webinar discussed, besides the new ISO Standard, experiences and lessons learned by selected experts and Members of the UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) in the field of measuring and monitoring accessibility. The webinar stems directly from the 11 mandatory key issue areas for INSTO members, who recently included accessibility in their sustainability agenda.

Watch the recording here

INTRODUCTION

Dr. Dirk Glaesser, Director of Sustainable Development of Tourism Department, UNWTO

PRESENTATIONS

Introduction to the ISO Standard 21902 Accessible Tourism for All: Requirements and Recommendations
Ms. Marina Diotallevi, Head, and Mr. Igor Stefanovic, Technical Coordinator, Ethics, Culture and Social Responsibility, UNWTO
See Presentation

Measuring the Economic Impact of Accessible Tourism within the European Union and Beyond
Mr. Ivor Ambrose, Managing Director, European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT)
See Presentation

Measuring Accessible Tourism-Tourism Observatory
Mr. Jose Luis Borau, Architect, Head of Accessibility in the Built Environment, Directorate for Universal Accessibility and Innovation, ONCE Foundation
See Presentation

PRESENTATIONS BY INSTO MEMBERS

Thompson Okanagan Sustainable Tourism Observatory, Canada
Mr. Mike Overend, Director of Destination Development and Ms. Sonja Gaudet, Regional Accessibility Specialist
See Presentation

Tourism Observatory of the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ms. Silvina Di Giano, Operations Manager for Tourism Research. Department of Market Intelligence and Observatory, Buenos Aires Tourism Board
See Presentation