According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023), 1.3 billion people - about 16% of the global population - experience significant disability. Accessibility for all to tourism facilities, products, and services should be a central part of any responsible and sustainable tourism policy.
Accessibility is not only about human rights. It is also a business opportunity for destinations and companies to embrace all visitors and enhance their revenues. The United Nations estimates that there are 650 million people with disabilities worldwide. Counting their families, about 2 billion people are directly affected by a disability, accounting for nearly one third of the world's population. In addition, global population ageing increases accessibility needs. the demand for accessible environments, transportation, products and services.
For all tourism operators and destinations, it is this represents a major opportunity challenge: those who are will be able to meet the needs of tourists with disabilities or those with other specific access requirements, including seniors, will have a decisive advantage over their competitors, offering high quality, inclusive services. In addition, seniors have fewer time constraints. Targeting this group can reduce the seasonality of the tourism industry.
The Destinations for All World Summit 2025, being one of the world’s leading events in accessible tourism and bringing together a wide variety 400 of participants and global key players, will offer both a stimulating environment to share knowledge and experience and a great occasion for destinations, tourism organizations and companies working in this field to showcase their products and services.
Sponsors and Exhibitors at the event can really make a critical difference to the Summit’s success by showcasing their brands and demonstrating their best practices, reaching tourism market players and opinion leaders in this vital and growing field.
So, there are really many reasons why your contribution to the third edition of the World Summit on Accessible Tourism is crucial, to name just a few: