Accessible travel should not be the exception, but the standard. On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December), CzechTourism points out that accessibility is not just a phrase, but concrete work on the ground. The agency is implementing several activities in this regard - this year it has started mapping accessible places across Czechia, expanding education in the field of communication with people with disabilities and further promoting accessible tourism also through influencer and press trips.
Accessibility mapping – the basis is verified data
One of the key steps is the mapping of accessible places across Czechia, which CzechTourism is implementing in cooperation with the Network without Barriers, z.s. The aim is to create an overview of truly accessible tourist destinations, based on relevant and verified data – i.e. not only on declarations, but on the reality on the ground. The agency will continue the mapping process next year as well.
In addition, the efforts to make tourism more accessible have a solid framework in the Memorandum on cooperation that CzechTourism signed with the Network without Barriers this year. Together they commit to cooperation in the field of education, methodological support, data sharing, research and dissemination of good practice examples in the field of accessible tourism.
„We do not see accessibility as a one-off project, but as a long-term commitment. It translates into mapping accessible places, education and how we talk about travel. We want Czechia to be a destination where everyone can feel welcome and where accessibility is not an exception, but an obvious part of quality services,“ says Director of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism František Reismüller.
„The Memorandum of Cooperation provides a clear and credible framework for us to develop accessible tourism with a long-term vision and shared responsibility. We are pleased to be part of this joint initiative and to co-create an environment where accessibility becomes a natural standard and a benefit for all,“ adds Jana Sirotková, Vice-Chair of the Network Without Barriers Association.
Education as the key to change
This year CzechTourism launched a free e-learning course focused on communication with people with disabilities. The course consists of six modules and is designed for all those working in tourism and in direct contact with visitors. Another course focuses on Digital Accessibility and will be complemented by a new specialised course on making services accessible to people with hearing impairments, which is being developed for the agency by Deaf Friendly before the end of the year.
In addition to online education, CzechTourism also focuses on face-to-face meetings and sharing experiences in practice. Pre-sessional workshops in cooperation with Pestrá, o.p.s. have already taken place in South Moravia. Another one will follow in the Pilsen region in December.
Tourism through the eyes of people with disabilities
People with disabilities want to travel, discover new places and relax just like everyone else. But research also shows that they encounter barriers to planning and actually travelling that make the travel experience unnecessarily difficult.
Deaf people often lack sufficient visual information during transport and sightseeing, wheelchair users experience that the reality does not match the declared accessibility, and parents with strollers face similar barriers in transport and public spaces. The inaccuracy of information on tourist destination websites is also a common problem, making it difficult to prepare a trip.
Tourism in Czech Sign Language
Since February this year, CzechTourism also offers information in Czech sign language. A special section with short videos has been created on the agency's website, which makes it easier for deaf people to find their way around not only CzechTourism's activities, but also the topic of tourism in general.
„Our aim is to spread awareness and knowledge about accessible tourism among professionals and the wider public so that we can continuously improve services in the tourism industry. S In doing so, we are assisted by many experts from a number of organisations and associations involved in this field. At the same time, we try to convince tourism entrepreneurs that making services more accessible is not only about removing barriers, but also about creating new opportunities for their businesses, tourists and local residents," adds experience manager of CzechTourism Eva Beranová, who is responsible for the area of accessible travel.
Influencers „without barriers“
Support for accessible travel is also reflected in international promotion. This year CzechTourism organised two barrier-free influencer trips. The German influencer Ayleen Walter visited Prague and the Central Bohemian Region within a few days. In her contributions, she highlighted Prague's public transport, the variety of services offered in the regions, the excellent Prague routes for people with mobility disabilities and the friendliness of the staff. British influencer Jennie Berry then explored the beauty of South Moravia.
CzechTourism sees accessibility as a long-term priority. Systematic mapping, education, cooperation with experts and new communication formats have a common goal: to make Czechia a truly open destination for all without distinction.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that travel is meant to connect. And that along with physical barriers, those that arise only because of prejudice should disappear.
One of the key steps is the mapping of accessible places across Czechia, which CzechTourism is implementing in cooperation with the Network without Barriers, z.s. The aim is to create an overview of truly accessible tourist destinations, based on relevant and verified data – i.e. not only on declarations, but on the reality on the ground. The agency will continue the mapping process next year as well.
In addition, the efforts to make tourism more accessible have a solid framework in the Memorandum on cooperation that CzechTourism signed with the Network without Barriers this year. Together they commit to cooperation in the field of education, methodological support, data sharing, research and dissemination of good practice examples in the field of accessible tourism.
„We do not see accessibility as a one-off project, but as a long-term commitment. It translates into mapping accessible places, education and how we talk about travel. We want Czechia to be a destination where everyone can feel welcome and where accessibility is not an exception, but an obvious part of quality services,“ says Director of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism František Reismüller.
„The Memorandum of Cooperation provides a clear and credible framework for us to develop accessible tourism with a long-term vision and shared responsibility. We are pleased to be part of this joint initiative and to co-create an environment where accessibility becomes a natural standard and a benefit for all,“ adds Jana Sirotková, Vice-Chair of the Network Without Barriers Association.
Education as the key to change
This year CzechTourism launched a free e-learning course focused on communication with people with disabilities. The course consists of six modules and is designed for all those working in tourism and in direct contact with visitors. Another course focuses on Digital Accessibility and will be complemented by a new specialised course on making services accessible to people with hearing impairments, which is being developed for the agency by Deaf Friendly before the end of the year.
In addition to online education, CzechTourism also focuses on face-to-face meetings and sharing experiences in practice. Pre-sessional workshops in cooperation with Pestrá, o.p.s. have already taken place in South Moravia. Another one will follow in the Pilsen region in December.
Tourism through the eyes of people with disabilities
People with disabilities want to travel, discover new places and relax just like everyone else. But research also shows that they encounter barriers to planning and actually travelling that make the travel experience unnecessarily difficult.
Deaf people often lack sufficient visual information during transport and sightseeing, wheelchair users experience that the reality does not match the declared accessibility, and parents with strollers face similar barriers in transport and public spaces. The inaccuracy of information on tourist destination websites is also a common problem, making it difficult to prepare a trip.
Tourism in Czech Sign Language
Since February this year, CzechTourism also offers information in Czech sign language. A special section with short videos has been created on the agency's website, which makes it easier for deaf people to find their way around not only CzechTourism's activities, but also the topic of tourism in general.
„Our aim is to spread awareness and knowledge about accessible tourism among professionals and the wider public so that we can continuously improve services in the tourism industry. S In doing so, we are assisted by many experts from a number of organisations and associations involved in this field. At the same time, we try to convince tourism entrepreneurs that making services more accessible is not only about removing barriers, but also about creating new opportunities for their businesses, tourists and local residents," adds experience manager of CzechTourism Eva Beranová, who is responsible for the area of accessible travel.
Influencers „without barriers“
Support for accessible travel is also reflected in international promotion. This year CzechTourism organised two barrier-free influencer trips. The German influencer Ayleen Walter visited Prague and the Central Bohemian Region within a few days. In her contributions, she highlighted Prague's public transport, the variety of services offered in the regions, the excellent Prague routes for people with mobility disabilities and the friendliness of the staff. British influencer Jennie Berry then explored the beauty of South Moravia.
CzechTourism sees accessibility as a long-term priority. Systematic mapping, education, cooperation with experts and new communication formats have a common goal: to make Czechia a truly open destination for all without distinction.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that travel is meant to connect. And that along with physical barriers, those that arise only because of prejudice should disappear.