Presentation of the Decalogue of good practice ...

This initiative aims to attract those tourists who access problems are not staying in many hotels
May 30, 2007

In order to promote accessibility for people with reduced mobility, the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) and the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce have developed a "Decalogue of good practices in tourism accessibility".

The purpose of this initiative would also attract those tourists who, by access problems, are not eligible for holiday hire at many hotels.

The general secretary of Tourism, Amparo Fernandez, said yesterday that if Spain wants to remain a leader in the industry, should get that "tourism is accessible to everyone." In this regard, he recalled that 10% of the Spanish population has a disability, and that the European Union (EU), the problem affects 50 million citizens.

The ten measures to improve accessibility, in addition to establishing the minimum required by law, refer to a "moral obligation". Fernandez and the president of CEHAT, Joan Molas, concurred that in many cases "no major reforms are needed.

The Decalogue includes technical advice and recommendations on how to care for people with disabilities. It will apply to lodging, restaurants and public attention.

It is also planned 30 courses throughout Spain with a budget of 100,000 euros, in order to publicize the tourism professionals. In addition, make available to the public a database of accessible hotels in: www.spain.info and www.cehat.com.