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Driving Inclusive Tourism: Destinations International and City Destinations Alliance Unveil Global Accessibility Report

Joint research assesses current state of inclusion in the travel industry, identifies ways to make travel more accessible to all

Washington, DC (November 4, 2024) – Destinations International (DI), the world’s leading association representing destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaux (CVBs), and City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA), the alliance of tourist boards, convention bureaux and destination management organizations in Europe, today issued the “Global Accessibility Report”, a collaborative research effort offering a foundational understanding of the global initiatives around accessibility. The report was released at the GDS-Forum & City DNA Autumn Conference 2024 in Bruges, Belgium. 

Global accessibility is essential to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of physical, sensory, cognitive, or unseen disabilities, have equal opportunities to experience the world through travel. With a global disabled population of 16% (1.85 billion people), investing in accessibility is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for destinations and a source of economic impact.  

UN Tourism defines accessibility to facilities, products and services as a core component of any responsible and sustainable tourism policy. Through accessible tourism, destinations can empower people with disabilities to travel independently and confidently, providing them with seamless, safe and enriching experiences. Prioritizing accessibility also showcases a destination’s commitment to ethical tourism and human rights and reinforces the travel and tourism industry as socially responsible and forward-thinking.  

The Global Accessibility Report shares insights from a survey fielded in early 2024 of 92 destinations. 65% of respondents represent destination marketing organizations; 63% were in Europe and 25% in North America. The report has three primary objectives: to understand the challenges and opportunities in creating inclusive environments that benefit everyone; to assess the state of destination accessibility; to identify gaps and highlight innovative practices that foster more welcoming and inclusive spaces; and to inspire and motivate organizations to improve accessibility for residents and visitors of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

“Accessibility matters not only to visitors but also to local communities, and destination organizations are starting to recognize the significance of providing inclusive facilities, products, and services for everyone,” said Sophia Hyder Hock, DI Chief Inclusion Officer. “It's not just a key factor for a thriving destination – it's the ethical choice. We hope this report will help the tourism industry advance this critical effort.”

“Ensuring accessibility is more than just meeting regulations – it's about creating meaningful, inclusive experiences for all visitors. City Destinations Alliance is proud to collaborate on this important research, providing our members with insights and tools to lead the way in building destinations where everyone feels welcome and empowered to explore,” said Barbara Jamison-Woods, President of City Destinations Alliance.

The Global Accessibility Report serves as a catalyst for destinations to evolve their strategies and shape a more inclusive future for tourism. DI and CityDNA encourage destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaux, and regional and national tourism bureaux to reflect on their current accessibility practices and use the report’s insights to implement changes that support this growth opportunity and greater belonging. Additionally, industry stakeholders, funding agencies, subject matter experts and advocacy groups can leverage these insights to support destinations and contribute to collective progress. The report provides a roadmap for enhancing inclusivity, ultimately creating more equitable tourism experiences for all.

The Global Accessibility Report is available on both the Destinations International website and CityDNA website. 

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About Destinations International

Destinations International is the world’s largest and most reliable resource for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaux (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 8,000 members and partners from over 750 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit https://destinationsinternational.org.

About City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA)

The alliance of tourist boards, convention bureaux and destination management organizations in Europe, CityDNA is the European knowledge-sharing alliance for cities and urban regions, working to harness the potential of the visitor economy. While working on the DNA of represented cities, the organization is committed to a sustainable, inclusive and responsible visitor economy that benefits people, planet and prosperity, and holds the vision for all cities in Europe to flourish as great places to live, work, meet and explore. For more information, visit https://citydestinationsalliance.eu.