Knowledge documents
03 December 2025
Transforming Tourism: UN Tourism and AWE's Accessible Solutions for Inclusive Growth
Knowledge documents
03 December 2025
Adventure tourism
Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism
Cultural tourism
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In a pioneering move towards inclusivity, UN Tourism, in collaboration with the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE), has unveiled cutting-edge guidelines to revolutionize the tourism industry. These guidelines are designed to empower businesses to embrace accessibility, addressing the needs of over 1.3 billion individuals living with severe disabilities globally. This initiative promises not only to unlock vast market potential but also to enhance financial performance and foster sustainable business practices.
UN Tourism
UN Tourism
Topics
EU-27
Academic / Research and VET Institutions
Business Support Organisation
Company with 250 or more employees
Cluster Organisations
Consumer Organisations
Cultural and Heritage Organisations
Destination Management & Marketing Organisations
EU Institutions
Financial Institutions and Investors
Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce
International Organisations
Local Authorities
Media / Journalist Organisations
National authorities
Networks and Federations / Confederations
NGOs / Non-profits
Notified Bodies
Regional Authorities
SMEs (a company with less than 250 employees)
Social Economy Entity
Trade Unions
Other
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Specific types of tourism
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Adventure tourism
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Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism
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Cultural tourism
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Ecotourism
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Education tourism
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Festival tourism
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Gastronomy tourism
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Health and medical tourism
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MICE tourism
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Mountain tourism
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Religious tourism
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Rural tourism
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Sports tourism
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Urban/city tourism
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Wellness tourism
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Transition Pathway Strategic Areas
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Accessible tourism services
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Best practices, peer learning and networking
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Equal and fair tourism jobs
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Funding and support measures
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Skills needs for twin transition
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Tourism strategies
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Business activities
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Activities of amusement parks and theme parks
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Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism
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Air passenger transport
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Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks
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Events catering and other food services
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Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities
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Gardens and nature reserves activities
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Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation
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Hotel and similar accommodation
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Mobile beverage services
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Mobile food services
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Museums
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Operation of historical sites
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Other
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Other accommodation
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Other amusement and recreation activities
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Other food and beverage services
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Other holiday reservation services
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Other tourism transportation activities
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Rail Passenger transport
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Recreational and sport activities
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Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)
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Road passenger transport
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Tour operator activities
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Travel agency activities
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Water (sea, coastal and inland) passenger transport
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Released in honor of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Accessibility Guidelines for Tourism Businesses, developed by UN Tourism in partnership with the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE) and supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), present a pioneering blueprint for inclusive growth within the tourism sector. These guidelines are tailored to the unique needs of tourism entities, including accommodation providers, travel agencies, and transport companies, emphasizing the importance of creating environments that are accessible and welcoming to all individuals, regardless of their disabilities.
Central to the guidelines are five actionable steps designed to guide businesses in enhancing accessibility. Businesses are encouraged to focus on user-friendly environments, streamline their services for greater inclusivity, and engage a more diverse local workforce to boost sustainability. By recognizing the vast market potential of individuals with disabilities—who, along with seniors and their families, make up a significant portion of the global market—businesses can not only elevate their brand reputation and improve financial performance but also foster innovation through diverse engagement.
This document highlights the market's growing demands for accessibility, advocating for companies to seize the opportunity presented by disability-inclusive practices. It offers clear, achievable actions and underscores the economic advantages associated with embracing inclusivity. The Accessibility Guidelines are a result of meticulous collaboration, and businesses interested in adopting these transformative strategies are encouraged to consult the document for detailed insights and recommendations.
The Accessibility Guidelines are available on the UN Tourism website: https://www.untourism.int/news/un-tourism-joins-awe-in-delivering-practical-solutions-for-more-accessible-and-inclusive-tourism-businesses
#Sustainable tourism #Destination management #Inclusive tourism #Community engagement #Tourism development #Handbooks and guidelines
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