Accessible tourism

Destinations for All, the world summit on accessible tourism slated to take place in Montréal from October 19–22, 2014, will address the following questions: Can tourism infrastructures and establishments be adapted to respond to international accessibility standards? How can people with disabilities be sure their chosen destinations are truly accessible? Is front-line staff around the world properly trained to host guests with restricted physical ability?

The summit aims to optimize accessibility for persons with disabilities by developing best practices in the areas of tourism, culture and transportation. Organizations working in these areas will be invited to unveil at least two changes they will undertake aimed at significantly improving travel and tourism conditions for visitors with disabilities.

The summit is expected to give rise to harmonization strategies for international accessibility standards across tourist establishments, attractions and transportation services.

A number of international organizations will attend the summit, including:

• World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) (http://unwto.org/fr)
• World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED) (www.ced.travel/en)
• European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) (www.accessibletourism.org)
• Tourisme et Handicaps – France (www.tourisme-handicaps.org)
• La Fundación ONCE – Spain (www.fundaciononce.es)
• Access Tourism New Zealand (www.accesstourismnz.org.nz)
• Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH, USA) (www.sath.org)
• Transport Canada – Transportation Development Centre (http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/innovation/tdc-menu.htm)
• Ministère du Tourisme du Québec (MTO) (bonjourquebec.com)
• Kéroul, Tourism and culture for people with restricted physical ability (www.keroul.qc.ca)* 

   * Kéroul has been an official partner of the Ministère du Tourisme for the past 25 years.