The website features interactive maps, customizable search filters based on types of accessibility, detailed descriptions of adapted accommodations, activities, trails, and dining services, as well as practical recommendations and accessible multimedia content. The platform has been developed according to universal design principles and includes screen readers, keyboard navigation, improved contrast, and subtitles, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive experience for all users.
This milestone is part of a broader strategy by San Martín de los Andes to position itself as a leading accessible tourism destination, both nationally and internationally. The municipality’s commitment to accessibility is not new: for years, local authorities have implemented public policies, regulations, and training initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, raising awareness among tourism providers, and guaranteeing the right to travel for all people. With the launch of this website, the city reinforces its leadership in this field and sets a precedent for other destinations across the country.
During the launch event, Mayor Saloniti emphasized that accessibility should no longer be seen as a peripheral issue but rather as a fundamental pillar of tourism development. He remarked, “Inclusion is not optional—it is an ethical and legal obligation, but also an opportunity for growth, allowing us to enrich our offerings and expand our markets.” He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors and civil society in achieving meaningful and sustainable progress.
The initiative was warmly welcomed by organizations advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. These groups praised the project’s holistic approach and particularly its participatory design process, which gave voice and agency to people with disabilities. This inclusive methodology ensures greater effectiveness and also reflects a broader paradigm shift: people with disabilities are no longer merely recipients of policy—they are becoming active participants in shaping and implementing it.
With this effort, San Martín de los Andes aligns itself with a global movement to promote accessible tourism in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—especially those related to reducing inequalities and building more inclusive societies. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has repeatedly stressed that accessible tourism not only improves quality of life for millions of people but also represents a valuable economic opportunity for destinations that embrace it.
The city of San Martín de los Andes is proving that natural beauty, hospitality, and social responsibility can be combined to create a tourism experience that welcomes everyone equally. By launching Argentina’s first accessible tourism website, the city not only provides a powerful tool for travelers but also sets a clear path toward a more humane, conscious, and truly universal vision of tourism.