Project’s results
The lack of skills of nature guides on accessibility can be overcome thanks to the design and development of training contents and activities, together and towards people with disabilities and special access needs.
The partnership has chosen to collaborate and cooperate in order to promote a new transnational approach for an inclusive tourism development in natural areas. The aim is to start building a new solid European tourism network to create, develop and equipe accessible and inclusive nature travel destinations
The Compendium of Best practices in Accessibility and Inclusive Tourism in protected natural areas
What is the Compendium?
To further improve inclusion and services for persons with physical and cognitive disabilities and special needs, it is critical to begin with identifying best practices, specific adjustments, and appropriate tools and innovations that can address the specific requirements of the groups mentioned above. An effective approach should be developed upon either similar enabling factors or previous successful examples from other contexts.
Why to use it?
The Compendium is available for all the nature guides who are interested in accessibility issues, although it will first be used by the involved guides who currently work for D.A.F.N.E. and A.B.A.T. BALKANIA organizations and take part in project activities.
Better guidance on a more inclusive tourism development in natural areas can also be given to international and local VET centers, which annually host courses for guides and the tourism value supply chain. This is especially relevant for tour operators, destination managers, national and regional policymakers, and other tourism players.
From the Compendium, a Toolkit with practical and useful recommendations is developed.
The Accessible and Inclusive Tourism in Nature Areas Training Toolkit
What is the Toolkit?
This Toolkit will include basic theoretical explanations along with useful recommendations, activities, and practical applications instruction on how to become an accessible nature guide. It is based on the best practices contained in the Compendium produced by our project as well.
Why to use it?
The Training Toolkit will assist nature guides, tour operators, environmental educators, VET centers in developing comprehensive, practical abilities to solve real-world challenges and professionalism in appropriately managing all guests. Additionally, it will increase understanding of the accessibility requirements of different types of tourists and enhance the capacity to modify guided tours in natural areas to make them more accessible.