The Work of ENAT. and Policy Challenges for the Tourism Sector. Ivor Ambrose ENAT Coordinator. Marina D Or, Region of Valencia

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1 The Work of ENAT and Policy Challenges for the Tourism Sector Ivor Ambrose ENAT Coordinator Marina D Or, Region of Valencia ENAT - European Start Funding Funded by the European Commission Budget Line: Pilot Actions for Mainstreaming Disability, 2005 Supporting the EC Disability Action Plan - non discrimination and equal opportunities - Budget: EUR 535,163 - EC funding: EUR 452,106 (80%) 1

2 ENAT Partners Sponsor Coordinator EWORX S.A. Sponsor Partners Fundación ONCE Toegankelijkheidsbureau vzw. VisitBritain Turism för Alla i Sverige Work Research Centre Hellenic Ministry of Tourism Assoc. Nat. pour le Logement des Personnes Handicapées Disability Now Greece Spain Belgium UK Sweden Ireland Greece Belgium Greece Aims of ENAT (1) Be open to all actors and stakeholders in the European tourism and disability sectors, Act as the focal point for promoting accessible tourism in Europe, Compile and distribute information, Support dialogue about disability and accessibility issues in tourism, Contribute to awareness-raising, 2

3 Aims of ENAT (2) Promote mainstreaming through targeted policy recommendations and actions that can improve tourism products and services for disabled tourists. Seek to improve the employment rate and conditions of disabled workers in the EU tourism sector. Aims of ENAT (3) ENAT Will work to foster a spirit of common purpose and will encourage partnerships for policy development and practical problem-solving, involving the tourism industry, public authorities, social partners and NGOs. 3

4 Approach (1) Be directed and driven by the interests of the members A democratic, inclusive European organisation Open membership: tourism providers, regulators, policy-makers, users organisations Gather and disseminate knowledge Foster debate Seek consensus through dialogue, within the membership Represent members towards other organisations and public authorities at all levels of government Approach (2) Propose and promote workable solutions Follow a specific Work Programme with systematic measurement of results Be self-supporting through membership fees, grants and sponsorship Directly involve disabled people and other users / consumer organisations Promote accessible tourism for all customers - young, middle-aged, old - disabled and non-disabled - visible and invisible difficulties 4

5 Members Services ( ) Publicity and Outreach Website: Resources, Articles, Members Space e-newsletter Special Interest Groups Publicity International Workshop, Athens, October 2006 TUR Sweden Seminar, March 2007 ENAT International Congress, Nov. 2007, Spain. Here! Activities Study 1. Addressing the Rights of Disabled Tourists in Europe Led by Fundación ONCE 5

6 Activities Study 2. Services and Facilities for Accessible Tourism in Europe Led by Toegangkelijkheidsbureau Activities Study 3. Towards 2010: Disability Policy Challenges and Actions for the European Tourism Sector. Led by EWORX S.A. 6

7 ENAT today Networking across Europe and the Globe AL A B DK DE EL ES FR HU IRL IT LA - - and 17 other countries outside Europe FI LT M-NG NL NO PT SJ SR S TR UK MA 7

8 ENAT Members 370 registered members 46 countries Over Global, - European and - National organisations. ENAT Members Albania 2 Austria 2 Belgium 23 Croatia 1 Cyprus 1 Czech Republic 2 Denmark...3 Finland...1 France 5 Germany 10 Greece 55 Hungary 5 Ireland 3 Italy 12 Latvia 2 Lithuania 2 Luxembourg 1 Malta 2 Montenegro 1 Netherlands 7 Norway 5 Portugal 7 Romania 1 Serbia 3 Slovenia 3 Spain 26 Sweden 112 Turkey 16 United Kingdom Countries 342 Members ENAT Total : 370 Members Update: Associate Members Argentina 2 Australia 7 Bangladesh 1 Brazil 2 Canada 1 Chile 1 China 1 Costa Rica 1 Ecuador 1 India 1 Maldives 2 Nigeria 2 Pakistan 1 Saudi Arabia 1 South Africa 1 Thailand 1 USA 2 17 Countries 28 Members 8

9 Type of Organisation Private enterprises Public sector / Foundations / Professional Associations / Research & Education NGOs & Charities Private persons TOTALS * ENAT Members ENAT Associates * Total is less than 370 due to some organisations having several members ENAT Enquiries! Dear Sir, My name is S----- G I'm a student in the College of Commerce Catering and Tourism in Hungary and I'm writing my thesis about the possibilities of the disabled people in the tourism in the European Union. I would be really thankful if You could send me some information about the accessibility of the hotels, restaurants and the museums...or if there is a special law.. Thank You really much in advance! Yours sincerely, S----- G

10 ENAT Enquiries! Dear Mr. Ivor Ambrose, I`m working as a journalist for one of Austria s most popular online-newspapers and i m interested in the International Congress Stakeholder Conference on Accessible Tourism". Could you please put me on your mailing list and send me you latest information so that i could write articles about it? Thank you very much, Yours sincerely, Mxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxx, Redaktion Reise derstandard.at ENAT Enquiries! Dear Sir, Just few words for to let you now I have achieved a new selfcatering accommodation in Scotland fully adapted for 4 person in wheelchair which is an unusual size in Scotland and can open the tourism in Scotland for a group of disabled person who would like to explore this part of the world. I am on the visitscotland.com website and they gave me the category 1 for disabled use Be free to be back to me if you need more information about Isle of Skye or my accommodation Also if you know some website where I can put my accommodation, that will be welcome. Thank you by advance, Regards Cxxxxx Mxxxxxxx 10

11 ENAT Outreach and Communications Resources News Projects and Good Practices Library Newsletter Useful Links ENAT members and others Events ENAT Workshops and Congress Reports Themes FAQ 11

12 ENAT Communications: All presentations from this Congress available to download from the Website Special Interest Groups: Education and Training, Policy Development. Sector Consultations Resources Library / Database with 100 key documents Keyword search and Web 2.0 tools for content sharing Additional Languages with national and regional content, starting December 2007: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Greek, Dutch ENAT The Future December Registered International NGO in Brussels ENAT Board formed by the Sponsoring Partners General Secretariat National Coordinators ENAT Sponsors 1st April 2008: Members Fees will be introduced ENAT Members - Annual General Meeting 12

13 ENAT Financial Basis Membership Fees National Coordinators Fees Project Funding: Programmes, Grants, Subventions Events: Tendering Process Sponsors Needed! - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - Sector commitment and visibility - Leadership, collaboration ENAT Workplan (Draft!) The ENAT Code of Conduct Members Shall Comply! Codes of Practice for sub-sectors Define collaboration with other organisations ( MoUs ) Promote transnational Pilot Projects (specific themes) Accessibility development tools for the tourism sector Events and Promotions ENAT Website multi-lingual, regional content ENAT Roadmap.. Benchmarking policies and practices (and other proposals form the members.) Lobbying and representation of members to national and especially European institutions in the area of tourism 13

14 ENAT Members Benefits Visibility ENAT membership identifies you as a provider or stakeholder in the field of accessible tourism Network Colleagues, partners: collaboration Resources Access to privileged information sources Support - for developing your projects, programmes Tools - for your work Participation in transnational projects and activities Events Lobbying and Representation in tourism matters that affect you Just some of our members: ACCESS CENTRES TURKEY 14

15 Join ENAT! Register your details, expertise, interests Find new contacts Find information Share news, stories, pictures, content Be part of the future of Accessible Tourism! ENAT Study no. 3 Towards 2010: Disability Policy Challenges and Actions for the European Tourism Sector. 15

16 Aims of the Policy Report 1. Objectives of Accessible Tourism Policy a. Europe as the accessible tourism destination par excellence b. Accessible tourism: better for visitors, better for business, making Europe a better place to live and work for all citizens. 2. Review the policy background and tools for change a. Current situation in EU and Member States b. Roles and responsibilities of EU and Member States c. Actors and Stakeholders: rights and what should they do? Aims of the Policy Report 3. Business Development The Business Case identifying and realising potential Tools for Change 4. Policy Development and Follow-up Roadmaps for designing programmes, actions and support schemes Tools & methods for implementation; monitoring and benchmarking 16

17 The public sector has many challenges. Policies for accessible tourism in European countries, regions and cities must be bolder, more concrete and better coordinated, so as to bring about the critical mass which is needed. Policy measures are needed for the travel and tourism providers to help them make the improvements that are required. Policies can be used to require, encourage and enable change. For the wellbeing of tourists and also for the improvement good of the industry. Scope of the Report Accessibility / Design for All / Social Inclusion / Equal Rights Tourism Infrastructure: buildings, facilities, technologies Transport infrastructure Information Education and Training Services: at venues and throughout the transport chain Employment 17

18 Report Chapters 1. Objectives of Accessible Tourism Policy a. Europe as the accessible tourism destination par excellence Competing in global, competitive marketplace Strengthening rights of citizens to travel and enjoy tourism Accessible Tourism as a key element of Sustainable, Quality Tourism b. Accessible tourism: better for visitors, better for business, making Europe a better place to live and work for all citizens. c. Destination management, venue facilities and services Tourism s effects on local communities More and better jobs for all in the tourism industry and related sectors Report Chapters 2. Review the policy background and tools for change a. Current situation in EU and Member States b. Roles and responsibilities of EU and Member States c. Actors and Stakeholders: rights and what should they do? Policy instruments: EU Treaty, Directives, Policies, Standards European Public Procurement and Service Directives Guidelines, Codes of Practice, Standards Business incentives Education and Training Capacity-building. ENAT role as a mechanism for exchange of information and development of common agendas across the tourism sector. 18

19 Report Chapters 3. Identify future needs and policy targets a. Public policy: planning and benchmarking accessible tourism b. Tourism enterprises: developing new and better services c. Role of NGOs: contribute, advise, validate Status and Policy Benchmarks: EU - Accessible Tourism for All Access for all to the Built Environment and Infrastructure Access for all to Disability and Culture, Leisure and Sport Access for all to Transport Access for all to Tourism Information Access for all to Jobs, Training and Entrepreneurship in Tourism Good practices Report Chapters 4. A Road Map for development of policies and the spread of good practices Planning for accessible tourism in Europe Public opinion and a new agenda Equal opportunities and mainstreaming Advancing policy frameworks and tools for the tourism sector Improving Organisations and Networks the Role of ENAT Europe: The Accessible Global Tourism Destination Par Excellence 19

20 All photos were kindly donated by ENAT members Thankyou 20