We are pleased to announce that the “Compendium of Best Practices in Accessibility and Inclusive Tourism in Protected Areas” is now available online!

The Compendium has been meticulously developed to collect, analyze and document Best Practices and accessible solutions implemented in protected natural areas across Europe, with a focus on Italy, North Macedonia and Spain. This comprehensive resource aims to offer tourism operators, nature guides and stakeholders involved in managing protected areas a detailed framework of accessible practices that can be readily adopted and implemented to foster more inclusive and accessible tourism experiences.

What You Can Expect from the Compendium:

    • In-Depth Analysis: The Compendium provides a thorough examination of both the challenges and solutions in ensuring accessibility in protected areas. It covers various types of disabilities and offers practical recommendations for improvement.
    • Best Practices Showcase: Explore a wide range of Best Practices from across Europe, including innovative infrastructural improvements, sensory trails and inclusive tourism initiatives that enhance the visitor experience for everyone, regardless of ability.
    • Framework for Future Projects: The Compendium not only highlights existing successful strategies but also serves as a foundation for developing a “Training Toolkit for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism in Natural Areas.” This Toolkit will empower nature guides and tourism operators with the necessary knowledge and tools to make tourism in natural areas accessible and enriching for all.

Currently, the Compendium is available only in English. We are working on translating the document into other languages to make it accessible to a wider audience.

Why This Matters:

Protected areas are crucial for preserving biodiversity and natural landscapes. Making these areas accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities, ensures that everyone can enjoy and benefit from these natural treasures. The Compendium is an invaluable resource for advancing this mission by promoting a model of tourism that is truly inclusive and supportive of conservation efforts.

We encourage all stakeholders, including public administrations, tourism operators and associations, to engage with the Compendium and incorporate its recommendations into their practices. Together, we can make protected areas accessible and enjoyable for everyone!

Visit the compendium page to access the full Compendium and join us in promoting accessible and inclusive tourism in protected areas.