Visiting FITUR 2005, the International Tourism Trade Fair, two stands caught my attention: one of them was located in pavilion 5, the other one in pavilion 8; both were focused on accessible tourism and managed by two different organizations. I talked to the exhibitors and soon after having asked some questions I realized how many enjoyable things are not within reach of all: bars, restaurants, shows. The truth is that the information and attention I was given in the Fair was ample and clear and I became aware of the fact quickly: not all can be enjoyed by all.
Once I had returned to my regular job of tourist promotion of Alava, and while I was looking for information on accessibility in Internet, I found that year, a course organized by the Secretary General of Tourism which was being given in several cities. Vitoria , Alava's capital, was not among them. I gave them a call and encouraged them to include Alava in their roster as I was completely sure that an important group of businesses (Alava Incoming) would be deeply interested in learning about accessibility. As soon as the chance came up, the course was given in our city.
Several companies of different businesses areas registered (restaurants, wines cellars, hotels, tour guides...) and the satisfaction degree was very high, mainly due to practices in wheelchairs, where one realizes and feels better the basic needs of accessibility. Thus, seeing the good answer from the companies and having the total conviction that tourism must be for all, we have been then since aiming for this goal: TO MAKE ALAVA A MORE ACCESSIBLE DESTINATION.
A lot has been achieved since we started:
-promotion of disability awareness
-diagnosis of accessibility of several business in the tourist sector
-translation into Braille of menu cards
Still, I keep on having a feeling that accessibility is a subject mostly unknown and barren for nearly everyone. how to act against this? How can we promote and improve accessibility?
Recently opened businesses in the Alava territory feature accessible facilities as laws and norms are very strict and clear regarding the matter of accessibility; in addition, Vitoria-Gasteiz urban design which implies a high level of awareness in the city. Even so, How to present our destination, when still having high levels of accessibility, there's a long way to reach the 100% ideal "tourism for all"? lHow shoud we summarize such great amount of information?, What symbols and icons to use?, How could the whole business sector become committed to accessibility, when accessibility is still tied to costs, minority groups, to accomplish laws and norms....?
Before all these barriers the answer is: to continue working in an enthusiastic and firm manner following the concept "TOURISM FOR ALL" that "has appeared" with the intention to always remain among us (for it's not just a fashion), and to involve the greater number of organizations and people: private companies, institutions, workers, directors and managers... convinced that our city, as a tourist destination, deserves to be visited by all.
I hope that performing this task, which is being carried out by Alava Incoming (an organization composed by 80 companies) we count on the support and the collaboration of all you, in such a way that Alava is better positioned as an accessible destination; our aim and goal TOURISM FOR ALL.
We're on the move in accessible tourism:
• Ours is an accessible website
• Accessible facilities in hotels, wine cellars, and shops are featured in our website
• Menu cards in Braille are available in our hotels and restaurants
Inés Cibrián
Manager
Alava Incoming
Asociación Empresarial para la Promoción de Congresos y Turismo de Alava
www.alavaincoming.com
Contact Turismo @ Polibea 
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