SOMTOTS

Women and inclusive tourism

In the Neolithic Park of La Draga, four visitors listen to the explanations of a guide. One of the visitors rests her hand on the shoulder of a companion in a gesture of complicity. Image by Diego Espada.

Tourism is one of the economic sectors that has grown the most in recent decades. It has become a structural phenomenon and a basic necessity for everyone. Today, on International Women’s Day, we are highlighting the role of women in the tourism sector, and we present five women responsible for four inclusive and senior tourism initiatives in the Girona area.

Anaïs de Villasante, Aromes al Bosc

Anaïs defines herself as a woman of innovative ideas and a creator of unique, genuine experiences. Through her project Aromes al Bosc, she designs activities in natural environments in the Vall del Llémena, La Garrotxa and Girona …. and adapts the experience to each person and each moment.

In the middle of a forest, Anaïs walks with a group of senior visitors. The group is led by Anaïs, who walks holding the arm of one of the participants. Image by Diego Espada.
In the middle of a forest, Anaïs walks with a group of senior visitors. The group is led by Anaïs, who walks holding the arm of one of the participants. Image by Diego Espada.

A forest bath is a quiet walk that invites you to connect with your surroundings. You walk slowly, in silence, focusing your attention on your breathing and bodily sensations. Connecting with the nature of a mature forest brings multiple benefits: it reduces stress, improves cardiovascular health and memory, and activates the immune system, among others. The experience also allows you to savour nature with a wild cooking workshop.

Rosa Duran, Turismon & GIGS Girona

Rosa considers herself an entrepreneur and passionate about her profession. She has been working as a guide for over 30 years. Qualified by the Government of Catalonia, she creates, manages and runs guided tours in the Girona area: Figueres, Girona, Besalú, Cadaqués, Lloret de Mar, Santa Coloma de Farners, Pals…

During a guided tour in the old quarter of Girona, Rosa shows the participants the sculpture of the footprint of Sant Narcís, a large marble foot whit the heel raised. On the base, it is carved the word "Happiness". Image by Miquel Millan.
During a guided tour in the old quarter of Girona, Rosa shows the participants the sculpture of the footprint of Sant Narcís, a large marble foot whit the heel raised. On the base, it is carved the word “Happiness”. Image by Miquel Millan.

Turismon & GIGS Girona is committed to quality, respectful tourism. It offers the possibility of incorporating sign language interpreting for the hearing impaired and audio description for the visually impaired into its guided tours. It is currently presenting the proposal “Girona in the SDGs key”, a walk through the old quarter of Girona to raise awareness of the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out by the United Nations, and with a clear message: Girona would not be what it is if it had not complied with the current SDGs throughout its 2000 years of history.

Sylvana Mestre and Mariona Masdemont, Play & Train

Sylvana Mestre and Mariona Masdemont are the co-founders of Play & Train, a non-profit organisation that works to make sport accessible to everyone, regardless of their condition. In the Girona area, Play & Train manages the Adapted Sports Centre of La Molina, where mountain activities are offered all year round and skiing and snowboarding are promoted during the winter months. The activities are aimed at people of different ages, different social segments and with all types of disability: physical, sensory or cognitive.

At the Adapted Sports Centre in La Molina, under a light snowfall, three women in wheelchairs listen to Sylvana's instructions. Image by Diego Espada.
At the Adapted Sports Centre in La Molina, under a light snowfall, three women in wheelchairs listen to Sylvana’s instructions. Image by Diego Espada.

Sylvana, the current manager of Play & Train, has dedicated her whole life to sport, especially Paralympic sport. Mariona, the current executive director, fights for a society that respects people with disabilities. Both work sport as a social tool for inclusion, empowerment and the physical and emotional well-being of people.

Katrin Kopperschmidt, Equinoterapia Girona Mas Alba

Katrin is an occupational therapist qualified in therapeutic horse riding. She loves the connection between plants, animals and humans. In 2004 she founded Equinoterapia Girona Mas Alba, a centre that was born with the aim of creating a place to enjoy activities with horses adapted to all needs and abilities.

On an obstacle course, Katrin leads a horse ridden by a boy. Behind, another horse ridden by a girl follows them. Image by Diego Espada.
On an obstacle course, Katrin leads a horse ridden by a boy. Behind, another horse ridden by a girl follows them. Image by Diego Espada.

Horses are sociable and intuitive creatures of habit. Working with them is a source of physical and emotional benefits. They also have a great capacity for empathy and help us to accept ourselves as we are. Activities with horses can work on personal and social, communicative and behavioural aspects… And the fact that they are practised in the middle of nature is a plus, both for the visitor and for the horses themselves, who live in a herd and in freedom.

Witness