Accessible Tourism.

Accessibility is part of ISTO's DNA and the working group on Accessible Tourism for people with disabilities concerns one of the objectives of ISTO within the framework of a social tourism with a wider dimension. Through this working group, ISTO wants to develop accessible tourism with through best practices, while respecting national identities and also developing practical tools and recommendations for all ISTO members and partners.

”The clientele of people with disabilities represents a potential for the whole tourism industry. It is therefore important for the stakeholders in this sector to understand their specific expectations, in order to propose a global and innovative offer adapted to the greatest number. This study provides all tourism stakeholders with operational elements for reflection, enabling them to optimise their offer and pursue their development.
Annette MassonCoordinator of the Working group

20

members involved

15

Nationalities

Check the members involved in accessibility

Working Group.

The Working Group is chaired by Annette Masson, President of the Association Tourisme & Handicaps (France) and is composed of representatives from 20 organisations in 15 countries in Europe and the Americas: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

Documentation.

We offer you a selection of documents on the theme of accessibility in tourism only for members.

The second document is entitled "Accessible Tourism: Actions of ISTO members". This report available in French, English and Spanish presents the actions of 39 ISTO members in the field of accessible tourism. The members are listed in 5 main sections: accommodation, networks, regional authorities, national authorities and others.

After publishing recommendations adapted for people with disabilities within the framework of health measures of COVID-19, ISTO’s Working Group on Accessible Tourism introduces to you the Recommendations on Digital Accessibility. You will also find a document including a list of useful links.

A recent document produced within the framework of the Working Group consists of "Recommendations to help tourism providers in welcoming people with disabilities during a health crisis such as COVID-19". This document, translated into 6 languages, presents general recommendations as well as specific recommendations by type of disability (motor, visual, hearing or cognitive impairment).

Activities.

ISTO is member of the Steering Committee of the "Destinations for All" summits organised in Montreal (2014) and Brussels (2018) and the third summit to be held in Paris (2023). ISTO is also signatory of the Declaration "A World for Everyone" adopted at the first summit, which constitutes a reference in this field.

We regularly offer webinars that answer your questions on this topic, as seen here during a CafecISTO.

Projects.

ISTO is occasionally involved in European and international projects which will be presented here. For example, the Esrasmus+ project ONAT4all, initiated by PREDIF and for which ISTO is providing support, will start in March.