Towards a global voluntary framework for accessible tourism

The aim of the project is the creation of a global standard for accessible tourism. This includes a systematic inventory of technical criteria, recommendations and requirements within the tourism industry and also includes measures relating to such aspects as travel planning, information and communication.

Since 2016, Fundación ONCE, a leading Spanish foundation supporting people with disabilities, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have been driving the creation of a global standard “Accessible Tourism for Everyone”. The standard will provide clear guidelines for tourism planning and destination management, with specific recommendations and requirements for accessible tourism. The TC 228 Technical Committee, a body tasked with tourism and related services, is drafting the standard within the framework of the International Standards Authority (ISO). It will help countries to better understand the needs of users and provide a blueprint to best address them, whether by public authorities or the private sector.

Problems Targeted

Despite the existence of some accessible tourism standards, there remain large gaps from country to country. Lack of knowledge of the existing tools and solutions is further complicated by contradictory information on different standards between countries and regions.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

To date, the TC288 Technical Committee has met several times to develop and draft the standard, most recently in May 2017 in Panama. The meeting included representatives from Argentina, Austria, Canada, Ireland, Panama, Spain, and the United Kingdom, as well as from several tourism bodies such as the European Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agencies. The standard should be completed in 2018, at which time it will be submitted for approval via consensus by the 162-member countries of the ISO. In 2019 it will be published and made available to non-ISO members. The standard is designed to be transferable such that any country can adopt it at the legislative level. As the requirements for accessible tourism will be detailed, public authorities can immediately implement them. At present, project expenses are related to consultancy and travelling. Fundación ONCE contributes its own resources and receives financing from the Spanish government through the Royal Board on Disability.