On 29 November 2024, stakeholders of the DATIS project gathered at PromoTurismo FVG Headquarters in Cervignano del Friuli to push forward the mission of making tourism more inclusive for people with disabilities and the elderly. The meeting kicked off with a warm welcome from Beletrina, lead partner, emphasizing the importance of cross-border cooperation in improving digital accessibility in tourism.
PromoTurismo FVG, the meeting's official organizer, brought together key partners to evaluate progress and set strategic goals of promotion and communication. From the Slovenian side, director of Kreativna baza d.o.o., provided valuable input and insights on enhancing project visibility and outreach. Her contributions, alongside those of other partners, underscored the collaborative spirit that drives the project forward.The first segment of the meeting was dedicated to collaboration with UNIDEA, the project's appointed Italian communication agency. Discussions centred around defining clear target audiences to maximize outreach, crafting a compelling messaging strategy to enhance public awareness, and developing accessible digital content suited for diverse audiences across social media platforms and online channels.
The second half of the meeting took a deep dive into the project's research component. Partners reviewed survey methodologies and analysed preliminary findings related to the travel experiences of people with disabilities, covering areas such as travel planning habits, preferred transportation methods, accommodation preferences and challenges, and communication needs and expectations from tourism providers. Additionally, Maša Malovrh from Beletrina, presented the process and methodology of accessibility analyses of the tourist providers' websites, mobile apps, and social media profiles, highlighting key insights and actionable recommendations for improving digital inclusivity. Discussions also covered the next steps in refining the analysis and using data insights to shape the final Strategy for Developing Accessible Tourism in the Slovenia-Italy cross-border region.
A major highlight of the meeting was the formulation of core objectives for the final strategy document due in March 2025. Key areas of focus included setting clear, actionable recommendations based on survey insights, aligning initiatives with international accessibility standards, and strengthening partnerships with tourism stakeholders across both countries. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with partners reaffirming their commitment to the project's goals and setting clear next steps for implementation. From advancing accessibility assessments to refining communication strategies, the DATIS project continues to pave the way for a more inclusive tourism landscape. As the project progresses, more exciting developments will be shared on how DATIS is shaping the future of inclusive tourism in the region.
