As the lead partner of the DATIS project, Beletrina, in collaboration with PromoTurismo FVG and the Public Institute for Tourism Nova Gorica and Vipava Valley, has commenced a crucial project activity: selecting and evaluating the accessibility of websites and social media of 100 tourism providers from the cross-border area of Slovenia and Italy – 50 Slovenian and 50 Italian. Beletrina’s Digital Accessibility Sector has already started the analyses to assess the accessibility of these websites.
The Importance of Accessibility in Tourism
Accessibility in tourism ensures that tourist destinations, services, and products are accessible to everyone, regardless of physical limitations, disabilities, or age. Accessible tourism includes both physical accessibility to destinations and increasing digital accessibility, meaning that online content and services are adapted to meet the needs of different types of users. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.3 billion people – 16% of the global population – are individuals with disabilities, which clearly underscores the necessity of accessibility within the tourism sector. Providing both digital and physical accessibility is not only a matter of human rights but also a business opportunity for tourist destinations and companies, as it enables them to welcome diverse visitors and increase revenue.
Key Project Activity: Analysis of Website Accessibility for Tourism Providers
Within the scope of the DATIS project, the digital accessibility of the websites of 100 tourism providers – 50 from Italy and 50 from Slovenia – will be evaluated. Beletrina’s Digital Accessibility Sector will assess the adequacy of these websites in meeting the needs of users with different disabilities, including appropriate features for screen readers, adjustable text size and contrast, keyboard-accessible navigation, and other key aspects of digital accessibility.
A Step Toward Inclusive & Accessible Tourism
The results of these website accessibility analyses will be essential for developing recommendations that will assist tourism providers in improving the digital accessibility of their content. Based on the analyses, tourism providers will receive reports with guidelines and suggestions for improving accessibility, thereby aiding in the adaptation of tourism services for users with various disabilities. This activity also supports the objectives of the DATIS project, which are aimed at enhancing digital accessibility and social inclusion within tourism in the cross-border area of Slovenia and Italy. With this important step, the DATIS project is committed to promoting sustainable and responsible tourism policies that support inclusive tourism and encourage accessibility, which is fundamental to a quality tourism experience for all visitors.
