Among the most notable initiatives promoted by the Tourism and Society Think Tank is the creation of the Accessible Tourism Alliance, an international cooperation space that brings together public entities, private organisations, specialists, academic institutions and civil society groups. The Alliance acts as a global platform designed to promote the exchange of good practices, the design of common standards, professional training and the development of innovative projects that facilitate universal accessibility in destinations, infrastructures, tourism services and travel-related technologies.
The creation of this Alliance has helped consolidate a multidisciplinary, people-centred approach, where accessibility is understood as an integral process that covers everything from physical facilities to communication, mobility, digitalisation, customer service and staff training in the tourism sector. TSTT stresses that accessibility should not be seen as an isolated requirement, but as an indicator of quality, competitiveness and innovation that adds value to the destinations and businesses that implement it properly.
The Think Tank also underlines that moving towards fully accessible tourism requires the active commitment of all sector stakeholders: public authorities that establish clear regulatory frameworks and promote strategic investments; companies that progressively and sustainably adapt infrastructures and services; professionals who are trained specifically to assist travellers with diverse needs; and organisations of persons with disabilities that contribute their experience and knowledge to guide the most effective solutions. In this sense, the Accessible Tourism Alliance is positioned as an essential bridge to coordinate efforts, transfer specialised knowledge and generate replicable projects in different regions of the world.
On this 3 December commemoration, TSTT also recalls that accessibility is not only a technical challenge, but an exercise in empathy, respect and human sensitivity. Removing physical barriers must go hand in hand with eliminating attitudinal barriers, fostering an inclusive culture based on dignity, equality and the full participation of all people. For this reason, the Think Tank will continue to develop awareness-raising and cooperation actions that help transform the vision of tourism from a more human and universal perspective.
On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Tourism and Society Think Tank reaffirms its determination to strengthen its leadership in the field of accessible tourism, driving policies, alliances and projects that help move towards a future in which travel is a real right for everyone. Through the Accessible Tourism Alliance and other strategic initiatives, TSTT will continue working to ensure that accessibility is a central pillar of global tourism development, consolidating a fairer, more inclusive and truly transformative sector.
