Training in tourism accessibility

An illustration of a group of people of different gender, age, and cultural traits. Also, with different physical and sensory conditions: a grandmother with a cane, a woman in a wheelchair, a girl with a prosthetic leg, a blind man or a family with a pram, among others. Image taken from the graphic motion.

The Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board is focusing on inclusion in 2021. Inclusive and Senior Tourism has therefore prepared three training and awareness-raising initiatives for this sector.

In April, an online training course on how to attend to senior and/or disabled people was held for customer service staff. In autumn, a second training day will be held. Under the title Murmurations, the communication and the image of disability in the tourism sector will be dealt with in a day that, if the epidemiological situation allows it, will be face-to-face.

During the first quarter of the year, a graphic motion on inclusive tourism and accessibility was produced for distribution to institutions and agents in the tourism sector of the Costa Brava and Girona Pyrenees: members of the Tourist Board product clubs, county councils, tourist offices, accommodation associations…

A graphic motion on tourism accessibility produced by the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board.

Accessibility involves the whole tourism chain

First of all, one of the issues that this animated video brings to the table is that in order to talk about inclusive tourism, accessibility must be incorporated into the entire tourism chain, that is the different elements involved in a trip: booking, transport, accommodation, the experience of the main tourist attractions or leisure activities at the destination, and the return trip.

Secondly, it explains that offering a destination accessible for all is a business opportunity, not only because it contributes to gain new customers loyalty, but also because it breaks seasonality and favours the growth of the sector.

In an illustration, several pictograms of different physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, as well as other pictograms representing different actors in the tourism chain, converge at a single point in the centre of the picture. Picture taken from graphic motion.

Thirdly, the video underlines that accessibility is a must for some people, but it improves everyone’s comfort. It also responds to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda adopted by the UN, an action plan in favour of people, the planet, and prosperity. Ensuring everyone’s well-being, creating inclusive cities, reducing inequality, or promoting inclusive societies are some of the global challenges in order to leave no one behind.

Small changes can make the difference

The video shows some examples of best practices, such as removing architectural, sensory, and cognitive barriers or ensuring customers’ autonomy to make them feel at home. Sometimes small changes, such as foreseeing adapted parking spaces close to the establishment, can make a big difference.

In bars and restaurants, for example, in addition to ensuring mobility and communication parameters, the diversity of dietary needs can also be considered, from allergies (dairy, gluten) to vegetarian preferences or cultural choices (kosher or halal products).

Guaranteeing inclusive tourism is about ensuring that everyone can have a really good time on equal terms.