As part of the DATIS – Digital Pioneers for Inclusive Tourism project, an online database of tourism providers has been developed. The database brings together information on the accessibility of tourism services in the cross-border area between Slovenia and Italy.
The database is intended for all visitors, with particular attention to persons with different disabilities, older persons and anyone who needs clear, reliable and advance information when planning a trip. It allows users to check key information about tourism providers, their websites and the accessibility of the information they need to plan their tourism experience more safely and independently.
The added value of the database is that it supports users even before they visit the website of an individual tourism provider. If that website is less accessible or does not provide sufficiently clear information, the DATIS database can help users understand in advance what to expect, where to find useful information and how to plan their visit more easily.
As part of the project, user-based accessibility analyses of the database were also carried out. Users confirmed that the website is appropriately accessible and useful, and that this type of database is genuinely helpful in practice. They emphasised that advance information empowers them to prepare better for a visit, make more informed decisions and avoid situations in which essential information only becomes difficult or impossible to obtain once they are already planning a visit or navigating an inaccessible website.
The DATIS database is not important only for users. It also provides tourism providers with valuable insight into the accessibility of their digital information and communication channels. This helps them understand what information users need, where the most common barriers occur and which improvements can be introduced to make their offer more accessible, transparent and welcoming to a wider range of visitors.
The database also has strong potential for sustainability and further development. It has been designed as a tool that can be updated, expanded and used after the end of the project. In the future, it could be extended to new areas, include additional providers, integrate more types of accessibility information and connect with other initiatives in the field of inclusive and accessible tourism. Due to its structure, the database also has potential for wider international use, as the need for reliable accessibility information is not limited to the Slovenia–Italy cross-border area.
Accessibility is becoming an increasingly important part of high-quality tourism services. Clear and advance information benefits not only persons with disabilities and older persons, but improves the experience of all visitors. At the same time, it helps providers better understand the importance of accessibility for their business, build user trust and gradually improve their services.
The DATIS online database is therefore not only a technical tool, but an important step towards more inclusive, transparent and high-quality tourism. Accessible information means greater independence for users, greater trust in the tourism offer and a better experience for everyone.
The database is available at: https://datis-tourism.eu/
