All tourists want unique experiences tailored to their needs. The UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, the global framework for the responsible and sustainable development of the sector, underlines in its Article 7 that all persons should be able to exercise their right to enjoy tourism without hindrance.
Among the more than one billion international tourists that travel each year, a high percentage consists of families with young children and/or seniors, and persons with disabilities or other special needs.
For these millions of people to be able to participate in tourism on equal terms, it is crucial that destinations develop universal accessibility measures.
Those destinations that create environments, products and services suitable for all will enhance their supply, enable a better tourist experience and improve the quality of life of the local population and visitors.
The Handbook on Accessible Tourism for All: Principles, Tools and Good Practices is a reference document for the tourism sector, as it proposes guidelines for achieving accessibility in destinations in the most efficient and well-planned manner possible.