Hotels
Tailored to Suit Everyone THE MARKET FOR ACCESSIBLE TOURISM IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING, BUT STILL THE LEAST DEVELOPED ONE
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egardless of whether it involves people with a disability—hearing, vision or mobility impairments, people with temporary injuries, elderly parents in a wheelchair due to hip or knee injury, or people with allergies, accessibility is a topic that affects a massive number of people at one age or another.
ACCESSIBILITY AS A STANDARD The World Tourism Organisation has identified the accessible tourism market as one of the fastest growing and yet the least developed one. Despite the upward trend, the hotel and hospitality industry has largely overlooked the importance of accessibility. That is the reason why the aim of the first worldwide standard on accessible tourism for all—ISO 21902:2021 Tourism and related services / Accessible tourism for all / Requirements and recommendations—was to ensure equal access and enjoyment of tourism by the widest range of people of all ages and abilities. It can be achieved by following guidelines on the key aspects of policy making, strategy, infrastructure, products and services. The standard is addressed to all stakeholders involved in the tourism supply chain, and its application at local, regional, national and international levels will directly contribute to the achievement of important goals of sustainable development such as decent work for all, sustainable economic growth, and the reduction of inequalities.
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