Accessibility is essence of GCET: UNWTO official

The first article of GCET is about the contribution tourism can make to increasing understanding and mutual respect between people and societies. It says understanding and the promotion of the common ethical values of the human race, such as tolerance and respect for the diversity of religious beliefs, ideas and morality, are both the basis and consequences of responsible tourism.

She explained the code asks the tourism industry and tourists themselves to pay attention to the traditions, social and cultural practices in different countries (including their own), and recognize their richness and variety.

Meanwhile tourism can also be an instrument for personal and collective development, a factor for sustainable development and for enriching the cultural patrimony of the human race.

"The idea is to make tourism available and to create sustainable environments, products and infrastructure which are suitable to all persons without any barriers," commented the Head of Ethics and Social Responsibility.

With Beijing hosting the First World Conference on Tourism for Development later this month, accessible tourism is a logical path to follow.

"Accessible tourism is not only about people with disabilities, it is also about senior people; persons who with the aging population need more accessible environments, more accessible products and a more accessible infrastructure," explained Diotavelli.

Finally she explained the importance of the "chain of accessibility," which means the information one receives before starting a trip, airport transfers, flights, hotels and activities all have to be accessible, "without a broken link, otherwise the experience will be negative," she commented.