A Decade of Barrier-Free Tourism: GNTB Spotlights International Inclusivity at the Annual Accessible Tourism Day

Online conference on March 11 will see expert speakers discuss importance of tourism for all 

Dubai, UAE – February 23, 2022 – The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is celebrating a decade of barrier-free tourism with its annual Accessible Tourism Day scheduled for March 11, 2022. The event highlights strategies the board has taken to help support the international travel industry meet increasing demand for travel options for all.

Set to complement the ITB Berlin NOW Convention, this year’s online event will feature expert insights from guest speakers Claudia Müller, the Federal Government Coordinator for Maritime Business & Tourism, and Jürgen Dusel, Federal Government Commissioner for the interests of people with disabilities. Helena Dalli, the European Commissioner responsible for Gender Equality, will also be presenting the new EU strategy ‘Union for Equality: Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030’.

GNTB’s Accessible Tourism Day supports its key messaging of tourism for all with inclusive facilities, events, and experiences, along with the integration of new digital communication channels such as augmented, mixed, and virtual reality.

“It is important for us to create diverse and accessible environments across Germany,” said Yamina Sofo, Director of Sales & Marketing, GCC. “We always aim to create high-quality, sustainable tourism options for travellers to benefit from our inclusivity. Our diverse offerings are already creating an effective impact on responsible tourism, and further strengthens our position in the international market. Accessible Tourism Day is an excellent platform to understand how others can expand options by hearing from experts in the German tourism industry."

Mike Adams, CEO of Purple, an organisation focused on shaping a new vision for disability and to tackle issues around employment and opportunities, will open with a keynote speech on “Changing the conversation between business and disabled people”. Speakers not to be missed also include Josh Loebner, the director of strategy at DesignSensory, and Christopher Patnoe, Head of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, EMEA at Google.

Accessible Tourism Day will take place on Friday March 11 from 10.30am until 2.30pm Central European Time (CET), with free participation through the registration link at  http://www.germany.travel/tdbt. A wide range of international trade visitors – including representatives from politics, travel, associations and universities, and media – will be in attendance.