European Network for Accessible Tourism
ENAT (European Network for Accessible Tourism) is a non-profit association of tourism enterprises, organisations and individuals from the private, public and NGO sectors aimed at evaluating good practices,[1] as well as providing and endorsing services and products for accessible tourism in Europe.[2][3] ENAT was first set up as a project activity in 2006, within the framework of the EC Disability Action Plan and was originally comprised of 9 founding members (partners), including VisitBritain and the ONCE Foundation,[4] from 6 European countries.
Although the organization has Europe as its primary concern for accessible tourism, it also welcomes members from other countries and continents. As of 2008, the organisation includes 435 registered members from 52 countries, representing over 300 national, European and global organisations.
Mission: to make European tourism destinations, products and services accessible to all visitors.
Its aims are to:
- 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;
- 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.
To achieve those stated aims,
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.
The first ENAT International Congress for All was held in Valencia, Spain in November 2007.[5]
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) took up Honorary Associate Membership, with Observer status in June 2008.[6]
See also
References
- ^ Disabled People's International
- ^ ENAT was registered as an "association sans but lucratif" at the Registry Office of the Commercial Court of Brussels, Belgium, on 08/5/2008, with Registration no. 0897.614.640.
- ^ European and International Associations at the European Commission's Enterprise and Industry Tourism web page
- ^ Fundación ONCE Calendar of Events (in Spanish)
- ^ ENAT Congress
- ^ "UN World Tourism Organisation Joins European Network for Accessible Tourism" Press release 17 June 2008