Berlin hosts Accessible Tourism Day 2025 for Global Inclusion

19-01-25

Next Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the highly anticipated Accessible Tourism Day will be held at Messe Berlin's CityCube. Organized by the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), the event will bring together leading national and international experts to discuss strategies and developments in inclusive travel. The program includes keynote speeches, case studies and panel discussions that will address the evolution of accessible tourism in the next decade. Key topics include inclusive travel experiences for children and youth, accessible tourism in natural environments, and advances in digital technologies and artificial intelligence applied to accessibility.

In addition, updates on the Accessibility Reinforcement Act and the “Travel for All” certification system will be provided, as well as discussions on integrating accessibility into tourism policies. The agenda has been put together by GNTB in collaboration with advisory groups such as “Travel without Barriers - Accessible Holiday Destinations in Germany”, the state working group “Tourism for All” and the tourism working group of the German Disability Council (DBR).

The event will begin with opening remarks by Dieter Janecek, Member of Parliament and Federal Commissioner for Tourism. Jürgen Dusel, Federal Commissioner for the Interests of People with Disabilities, and André Nowak, spokesperson of the DBR tourism working group, will also offer welcome speeches. Petra Hedorfer, CEO of GNTB, emphasizes, “Accessibility is an integral part of our sustainability strategy, which includes socially responsible tourism offerings as well as climate and environmentally friendly travel. Advances in digital transformation, such as the planned integration of accessible offers in GNTB's Knowledge Graph, strengthen Germany's position as an attractive destination for people who require inclusive offers.”

Supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection and Messe Berlin/ITB, the Accessible Tourism Day promises an enriching experience for attendees. The event will be held in German and English, with simultaneous interpretation services, including sign language and written translation. Online participation is free of charge, while in-person attendees will need an ITB ticket.

This event is part of a broader context of global initiatives promoting accessible tourism. For example, in April 2024, the tourism industry reached a significant milestone on its journey towards inclusivity and accessibility. Accessible tourism, which seeks to ensure that tourism destinations, products and services are accessible to all people, regardless of physical limitations, disabilities or age, has gained momentum around the world. This transformative movement is not only reshaping the way people with disabilities experience travel, but is also opening up new market opportunities for the industry as a whole.

The celebration of Accessible Tourism Day 2025 in Berlin underscores Germany's ongoing commitment to promoting inclusive and accessible tourism for all. By bringing together industry experts and professionals, the event seeks to foster the exchange of knowledge and best practices, driving the implementation of innovative solutions that ensure equitable and enriching travel experiences for all people, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities.

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