Open Innovation
Among the main measures needed to promote accessible smart tourism are:
1. Raising awareness
2. Disseminating good practices
3. Promoting innovation
4. Supporting future accessibility projects
5. Creating partnerships between local governments, businesses, and associations to implement comprehensive plans
6. Training tourism agents on accessibility issues
Given the wide range of existing tourism services and products, there is also a wide range of tools that enable tourism accessibility. Some examples, but not limited to, are:
1. Online directories of accessible tourism services
2. Use of smart tourism technologies to balance the experience between residents and tourists
3. Apps that enable accessibility
4. Online accessibility manuals
5. Online accessibility guides for events
6. Documents with good practices in tourism accessibility
7. Videos in sign language
8. Online training courses
9. Museums with digital materials for different levels of cognitive and social development
Let's take a look at some examples of accessible smart tourism.
1. The VIP Code Reader app is designed for people who are blind or have low vision and can be used instead of your smart device's camera or other QR code reading apps. The app makes a sound as you move your smart device closer to the QR code.
There is an app: https://vip-code-reader.en.aptoide.com/versions
2. Navilens codes, with colour codes similar to barcodes or QR codes, allow blind or low-vision people to detect them with their mobile phones. They can be scanned from further away than a QR code, don't require as much focus, and allow for a wider reading angle. Navilens codes are found in cities and tourist destinations, transportation, and services, but also on some products and menus.
There is a free app: NaviLens Go
3. Websites with information on tourist accessibility are another of the most widely used online resources. One example is Sagetraveling. This website offers information on accessible tourism and some accessibility reviews of tourist services and destinations.
https://www.sagetraveling.com/
4. Pantou is an online directory of accessible tourism products and services offered by an NGO. It allows users to browse and search for accessible tourism products and services.
5. Accessible city routes.
An example of Good Practice in Accessible city routes is the Sit&Enjoy Project. Launched by Taranto Municipality, through the Project "benches around the city have been installed, creating a visit route for people with disabilities and allowing autonomy and inclusive tourism. Each bench, created as a work of art, includes a QR code, which allows visitors and locals to hear stories about the city and recommendations on what to visit in four different languages."
6. Accessible tourism platform.
Some cities offer digital platforms with all services accessible for online consultation.
An example of good practice is the platform developed by Turin (Italy).
Turismabile is a platform that "enhances inclusivity by providing detailed and comprehensive information on the accessibility and usability of tourist services such as accommodations, restaurants, and museums."
Online Resources and Networking:
The technology makes it possible to have different online and digital resources available for general accessibility, and more specifically for tourist accessibility.
1. AccessibleEU
At the European level, there is an initiative on accessibility. "AccessibleEU is one of the flagship initiatives proposed by the European Commission Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. It is a resource Center on accessibility working on areas such as built environment, transport, information and communication technologies to ensure the participation of persons with disabilities in all areas of life on equal basis with others."
https://accessible-eu-centre.ec.europa.eu/index_en
2. European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT)
Now we want to introduce an online tool more focused on accessible tourism: the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT). "The mission is to make European tourism destinations, products, and services accessible to all visitors and to promote accessible tourism around the world."
One of the most interesting online elements in which ENAT participates is: The AccessibleEU Community of Practice. A community of practice where you can ask questions and get answers online about tourism accessibility.
https://accessibleeucentre.criteria-campus.com/login/index.php
3. The Smart Tourism Capitals of Europe award is a European Commission initiative that recognises best practices in various fields, one of them being Accessibility. One of the most interesting online resources is a guide to best practices from the cities nominated for the award. Many of these are related to tourist accessibility. They can be found online at:
4. European Access City Award
Cities are among the most important tourist destinations. Therefore, their accessibility is a crucial element. At the European level, there is the European Access City Award, which recognizes cities that have achieved the best development in their area. There is a website listing the award-winning cities and other interesting and up-to-date information.
Inaccessibility and smart tourism
The world has become increasingly complex. This directly affects tourism. From climate change to geopolitical instability, specific alarms affect tourists at their destinations. Therefore, digitalized tourist lists at tourist destinations are increasingly important. They alert them to specific inaccessibility issues. This is especially important since tourists at their destination are usually offline, resting and enjoying themselves.
In this sense, mobile phone tourist alert systems are one of the most important resources. Through them, in the event of a specific emergency, tourists receive a notification on their mobile phones. However, to do so, the tourist must first have registered in the electronic traveller registry.
Some countries have also created apps to facilitate information and assistance to tourists in cases of need and emergency.
An example is the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has both a computerized list and an app:
This way, in the event of an emergency or risk situation, tourists at their destination are alerted via a message on their mobile phone.
https://registroviajeros.exteriores.gob.es/
Greek Islands App
https://oad.outdooractive.com/oad-greek-islands-trail-cyclades/en/
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Last modified: Monday, 31 March 2025, 12:58 PM