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• Promoting accessible tourism for all

What is accessible tourism?

Accessible tourism enables all people to participate in and enjoy tourism experiences. More people have access needs, whether or not related to a physical condition. For example, older and less mobile people have access needs, which can become a huge obstacle when traveling or touring. Thus, accessible tourism is the ongoing endeavour to ensure tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age. This inludes publicly and privately owned tourist locations, facilities and services.

Accessible tourism involves a collaborative process among all stakeholders, Governments, international agencies, tour-operators and end-users, including persons with disabilities and their organizations (DPOs). A successful tourism product requires effective partnerships and cooperation across many sectors at the national, regional and international levels. From idea to implementation, a single destination visit normally involves many factors, including accessing information, long-distance travel of various sorts, local transportation, accommodation, shopping, and dining. The impact of accessible tourism thus goes beyond the tourist beneficiaries to the wider society, engraining accessibility into the social and economic values of society. International action and normative frameworks

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006. CRPD Article 9 on Accessibility calls for State Parties to take appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to the physical environment, information, transportation and other facilities and services open or provided to the public. It also calls for the elimination of obstacles and barriers to accessibility, including all transportation and facilities. Furthermore, Article 30 on Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport also calls for State Parties to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the benefits of tourism.

At the 2013, historic UN High-level Meeting on Disability and Development, which included several Heads of State, the link of disability and development was discussed and the meeting called for enhanced action to mainstream disability in the global development agenda. In the outcome document of the meeting, accessibility was identified as a key area for action.

Furthermore, in his message for the 2013 World Habitat Day , UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the international community to make towns and cities accessible to all.

In the recent 2030 Agenda for Global Action containing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2015), Goal 11 focuses on principles to “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. This goal captures tourism and recreation through its call for the provisions of universal design for accessible and sustainable transport systems, inclusive urbanization, and access to green and public spaces. In its 2011 Declaration, The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) predicted tourism will increase and experience sustained development, reaching 1.8 billion international tourists by 2030. Accessible cities and tourism provisions therefore ensure the full social and economic inclusion of all persons with direct benefits of promoting more sustainable travel habits among users.

What are the barriers to travel and tourism for persons with disabilities?

For persons with disabilities, travelling can be a challenge, as finding the information on accessible services, checking luggage on a plane, booking a room to fulfil access needs, often prove to be difficult, costly and time consuming.

Challenges for persons with disabilities include: • Untrained professional staff capable of informing and advising about accessibility issues • Inaccessible booking services and related websites • Lack of accessible airports and transfer facilities and services • Unavailability of adapted and accessible hotel rooms, restaurants, shops, toilets and public places • Inaccessible streets and transport services • Unavailable information on accessible facilities, services, equipment rentals and tourist attractions

Why is accessible tourism important?

Accessibility is a central element of any responsible and sustainable development policy. It is both a human rights imperative, as well as an exceptional business opportunity. In this context, accessible tourism does not only benefit persons with disabilities, it benefits all of society.

To ensure that accessible tourism is developed in a sustainable manner requires that tourist destinations go beyond ad hoc services to adopting the principle of universal design, ensuring that all persons, regardless of their physical or cognitive needs, are able to use and enjoy the available amenities in an equitable and sustainable manner. This approach foregoes preferential or segregated treatment of differently abled constituents to permitting uninhibited use of facilities and services by all, at any time, to equitable effect.

I am not a person with a disability – how does this affect me?

Accessibility is also an important aspect of realizing the rights of the world’s ageing population. As we grow older, our chance of experiencing a permanent or temporary disability is increased. A focus on accessibility can therefore ensure that we are able to participate fully in our societies well into our older years. Accessibility also benefits pregnant women and persons who are temporarily rendered immobile.

The improvements to physical and service infrastructure that come with a focus on accessibility also encourage a more multigenerational focus in development planning. For families with small children, accessible infrastructure – particularly in transportation, city planning and building design – improves the ability of these families to participate in social and cultural activities.

The United Nations is committed to sustainable and equitable development. Certainly, making basic adjustments to a facility, providing accurate information, and understanding the needs of disabled people can result in increased visitor numbers. Improving the accessibility of tourism services increases their quality and their enjoyment for all tourists, as well as improving quality of life in the local communities.

Other resources:

• UN News Centre: Accessible tourism will benefit everyone, say senior UN officials on World Day
• World Tourism Day 2016 Theme: Promoting Universal Accessibility
• UN Environment : #Tourism4All videos 1 , 2 , 3
• The UNWTO General Assembly adopts Recommendations on Accessible Information in Tourism
• UN World Tourism Organisation Accessible Tourism Manuals
• Disabled World Travel Documents
• European Commission Improving Accessibility
• Sustainable Tourism Online
• 7th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the CRPD
• United Nations World Tourism Organisation Best Practice Guide  
• European Network for Accessible Tourism - World Summit in Montreal, October 2014
• Centre of Excellence for Destination
• European Network for Accessible Tourism
• Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality
• Capitalising on the Grey-haired Globetrotters Economic Aspects of Increasing Tourism among Older and Disabled People

Other languages:

French: Tourisme et Handicaps Spanish: Fundaciononce Arabic: Arab Tourism Portal German: Russland Barrierefrei

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Accessible tourism will benefit everyone, say senior UN officials on World Day

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“Everyone has the right to access leisure and tourism services on an equal basis,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message on World Tourism Day . He added, however: “Even with modern technologies, those with visual, hearing, mobility or cognitive impairments are being left behind in many tourism destinations.”

According to the message, while almost 1.2 billion people are travelling aboard each year, close to one billion persons with disability, along with young children, older persons and persons with other access requirements, still face obstacles in accessing the most basic travel needs such as clear and reliable information, efficient transportation and public services, and a physical environment that is easy to navigate.

“Tourism has become a powerful economic sector, a passport to prosperity and peace, and a transformative force improving millions of lives,” noted Mr. Ban, underlining that benefits of accessible tourism will not only provide an important market opportunity, it will help ensure that all people are able to participate in tourism and enjoy unforgettable travel experiences.

The theme for this year’s World Tourism Day is Tourism for All – Promoting Universal Accessibility .

In a separate message , Taleb Rifai, the Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO ), the specialized UN agency that works for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, highlighted that travelling has become a major part in many lives and said that with the world’s population ageing, everyone sooner or later will benefit from universal accessibility in tourism.

Tourists on a ferry boat going across the Nile River, Cairo, Egypt. Photo: World Bank/Kim Eun Yeul

“As we celebrate World Tourism Day, let us recall that all of the world’s citizens have the right to experience the incredible diversity this planet has to offer,” he said, urging all countries and destinations, as well as the tourism industry, to promote accessibility for all.

In September 2015, the UNWTO’s general assembly designated Thailand as host country for the 2016 World Tourism Day. As the host, the South-east Asian country will partner with the UN agency to celebrate the occasion.

In her own message , Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, said that in addition to understanding the needs of everyone, considering the environment impact of tourism is equally important.

“As the world of travel and tourism is an expanding industry and the number of travellers increases every year, we have to ensure that travelling the world has to be safe and seamless at its utmost,” she said.

In 1979, the UNWTO General Assembly decided to institute the World Tourism Day to be commemorated every year on 27 September, the anniversary of the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes , to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value.

Sustainable Tourism & Habitat Conservation: Responsible Travel Guide Released

Ever Wonder Adventure, an online resource on sustainability, has released a new guide with recommendations on eco-friendly tourism.

Singapore, Singapore - April 22, 2024 —

With overtourism becoming an increasingly pressing issue in many parts of the world, Ever Wonder Adventure aims to highlight the impacts it has on climate change and environmental degradation. The new guide also explores ways for readers to visit tourist attractions responsibly.

For more information, please visit https://www.everwonderadventure.com/sustainable-tourism

One article by National Geographic notes that overtourism can have a significant impact on ecosystems in regions that are popular travel destinations. For example, coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef and Maya Bay have been degrading at a startling pace due to excessive snorkeling, boating, and handling. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) states that by 2030, transport-related carbon emissions from tourism are projected to increase by 25% compared to 2016 levels.

Ever Wonder Adventure says that overtourism can also have socio-economic implications, as locals are at risk of being displaced when tourism becomes the sole economic driver of a region. This can also result in exploitation, cultural appropriation, and the loss of tradition. Furthermore, tourist activities tend to generate large amounts of waste, leading to pollution in local communities.

However, sustainable tourism can play a vital role in preserving ecosystems, and many natural habitats are now protected due to their value as tourist destinations. To contribute to these efforts, Ever Wonder Adventure encourages readers to choose eco-certified operators, travel only to destinations accessible by sustainable travel options, and engage in low-impact activities. Additionally, they can support native communities by dining at and purchasing souvenirs from local businesses, minimizing waste, and respecting local customs.

Readers can also keep themselves informed with the UNWTO’s Sustainable Tourism Development Index (STDI) and Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI), which measure countries’ progress toward sustainable tourism. These indices cover eco-friendly infrastructure development, wealth equity, and visitor quotas, allowing travelers to determine which regions are committed to responsible practices and plan their trips accordingly.

About Ever Wonder Adventure

Ever Wonder Adventure was founded with the goal of bringing attention to the consequences of environmental degradation. Through their merchandise sales, the website supports efforts to protect fragile ecosystems and maintain biodiversity.

Interested parties can learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/Buy-Sustainable-Travel

Contact Info: Name: H C Yip Email: Send Email Organization: Ever Wonder Adventure Address: One Oxley Rise Singapore, Singapore, Singapore 238714, Singapore Website: https://www.everwonderadventure.com

Source: NewsNetwork

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The importance of acting on climate change in the Dominican Republic

By 2050, climate change impacts are expected to affect the Dominican Republic's labor productivity, health, agricultural yields, tourism, infrastructure, forests, coastal and natural ecosystems. However, the country is taking steps to reduce its vulnerability and embark on a path towards more sustainable growth.

Download the new climate and development report for the Dominican Republic .

Why is it important to accelerate climate action in the Dominican Republic?

Infographics: Challenges and strategies for a climate resilient Dominican Republic

Infographics: The road to decarbonization in the Dominican Republic

Infographics: Tackling Climate Change will drive positive development in the Dominican Republic

Infographics: Policy measures and institutional actions for mitigating Climate Change impact in the Dominican Republic

Press release: Climate action can boost economic growth and accelerate poverty reduction in the Dominican Republic

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Tourism season in Kilkenny to be extended under Fáilte Ireland’s five-year plan

T he tourism season in Co Kilkenny is set to be extended as part of a number of new measures to help drive and sustain tourism in Kilkenny.

Fáilte Ireland has launched The Kilkenny Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP), which aims to make Kilkenny a sustainable tourism destination by extending the tourism season and spreading business across all parts of the region over the next five years.

The plan builds on a number of existing destination development projects that will bring local experiences to life including a reimagined Medieval Mile which maximises the investment in the Museum of Medieval Kilkenny.

It also aims to position Kilkenny as a key destination for river activities using the Three Sister Rivers to introduce visitors to a mix of urban and rural outdoor activity experiences across the destination.

In addition, the DEDP will consider a world class creative animation visitor experience, building on Kilkenny’s long heritage as home to creatives and artisans.

CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Paul Kelly explained the plan will help strengthen the promotion of the area’s unique features.

"This five-year Destination and Experience Development Plan captures the unique themes that are central to Kilkenny and features key priority projects which will transform the tourism offering across the region.

"The development of the River Barrow Tourism Masterplan, reimagination of the Medieval Mile, and building on Kilkenny’s cultural and creative heritage will strengthen Kilkenny’s position as an internationally compelling destination in Ireland’s Ancient East.”

Mr. Kelly added: “We are also pleased to announce an additional €1.5million in funding for the development of the new Museum of Medieval Kilkenny which will become a key visitor attraction in Kilkenny City and act as a central point for the Medieval Mile.

"This brings the total investment from Fáilte Ireland and Kilkenny County Council to almost €7million for this project.

“Fáilte Ireland is committed to and focused on the sustainable development of tourism across Ireland which is an important economic driver and source of employment.

"We are confident that this DEDP has the potential to significantly increase Kilkenny’s domestic and international appeal, and grow the visitor economy to create sustainable, high-quality jobs in the sector that will serve to support and strengthen local communities,” he concluded.

Kilkenny DEDP Co-Chairs, Colin Ahern, General Manager at Kilkenny’s Ormonde Hotel and Martin O’Brien from the Barrow Valley Community Hub added that tourism is integral to Kilkenny.

"We look forward with confidence to the implementation of the Kilkenny Destination and Experience Development Plan. We value tourism in Kilkenny, and its significant contribution to the economic, social and cultural life of the area.

"The plan sets out the actions, priorities and future investment for the area and is designed to not only enhance the visitor’s experience but also for the benefit of the local communities who live and work here.

"As Co-Chairs of a passionate and ambitious industry led stakeholder group, we are committed to the successful completion of this plan that aims to sustainably grow the year-round economic value of tourism activity in Kilkenny as a destination,” they concluded.

In addition, the DEDP will also support the implementation of the newly launched Kilkenny City pilot Night-Time Economy Action Plan 2024-2025.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Michael Doyle explained that this plan will help identify a number of key night-time opportunities for development .

“I am delighted to see the launch of Fáilte Ireland’s Kilkenny Destination and Experience Development Plan here today,” said Cllr Doyle.

“It is a great example of how collaboration is the key to building a sustainable tourism industry which will drive the economic growth in Kilkenny and the surrounding areas.

"The Kilkenny DEDP will also support the implementation of the new Night-Time Economy Action Plan for Kilkenny City which sets out objectives and actions aimed at collectively strengthening and invigorating Kilkenny’s vibrant night time economy.”

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More From Forbes

Adult gap years are trending and europe is a top destination.

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Adults are setting off to see the world for long periods, or adult gap years.

Depending on age and leisure time for traveling, when talking about gap years for “older generations,” there are two basic types: adult gap years and golden gap years, also known as silver or middle-aged gap years and gray or boomers gap years.

The adult gap year is mainly associated with people who need a break from high stress due to work burnout or high pressure and looking for ways to take more than a couple of weeks to travel and escape the routine.

The golden gap year refers to 50+, usually retirees and boomers setting off to see the world. Research from different travel-related organizations shows that older generations have a growing interest in serious travel following retirement.

The joy of putting everything on hold to wander freely around the world is no longer just for the ... [+] young.

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Police deployed to ucla protest clashes after nypd arrests pro palestinian demonstrators at columbia, bird flu h5n1 explained usda will test ground beef samples from grocery stores, adult or ‘silver’ gap year.

Generally understood as a period of development and self-reflexion via traveling that lasts for 12 months — but can go from three to 24 months — gap years are associated with young people about to enter the realities of adulthood, usually recent high school and college graduates and young people taking a break before either studies or work.

Gap years originated in the U.K. and are now a well-established concept with places like the Scandinavian countries, among others, where it is a ‘rite of passage’ for teens and people in their early 20s to prepare for ‘the real world’.

But the possibility of putting everything on hold to wander freely around the world, enjoying immersive adventures, sustainable travel, volunteering, working or living like a local for a year is no longer an exclusive privilege of the young. More adults are finding novel ways to get away.

“Dubbed mini-sabbaticals, adult gap years or gap months, these extended breaks range from quitting a job to taking leave to just working remotely from somewhere different,” writes Euronews .

The trend is so clear that the gap-year tourism sector now is including “Adult Gap Year” alternatives for people wanting a career break.

“These travellers look for authentic, stimulating travel experiences, often including volunteer work and adventure,” writes the UK’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a research report on the market potential of gap year tourism for Europe.

“People aged 18-25 are more likely to take a gap year than other age groups. Older people are also taking gap years. They may be taking a career break, a sabbatical or an extended long trip.”

One-third of people taking gap years are now over 30 years old.

If not now, when?

“If you daydream about getting a break from stress, you might picture a restful week of vacation or a long weekend away,” the Associated Press reports. “But some people opt for something bigger, finding ways to take longer or more varied time away from the routine.” The story cites numerous examples of people who have taken an adult gap year. “It’s about stepping out of the expected and recharging.”

Realizing that burnout is an issue, American companies are offering breaks as a low-cost way to address employee exhaustion, according to Kira Schrabram, a leader of the Sabbatical Project at the University of Washington told the AP.

But this alternative is not limited to overstressed workers.

“One-third of people taking gap years are now over 30 years old,” writes The Broke Backpacker in an article on “Gap Years For Grown Ups – Hitting The Road as an Adult,” which includes practical advice on how to prepare for the experience.

“A lot of ‘empty nesters’ suddenly find themselves with an abundance of time and disposable income on their hands....Others simply decide it’s time to take a sabbatical or career break, rather than straight-up quitting your job to travel.”

Others, the article adds, seek more substantial experiences to put into the memory bank “before life’s twilight descends.”

How and where?

For many seniors, the years of retirement are the time to complete their bucket list of ... [+] destinations.

The hardest part once you make the decision to do it, according to people who have taken an adult gap year, is to choose where to go while considering conditions such as finances, safety and health care. Then comes the planning and preparations — and for that, the internet is full of advice, guides, memoirs and blogs.

Make it SMART, advises the Slow Travel Blog in an article on “how to plan a gap year in your 30s.” The acronym stands for ‘ Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely’.

Although the extended break isn’t an entirely new concept, the pandemic's upheaval of work life prompted a distinct rise in people questioning whether they really want to work the way they always had.

With the possibility of remote work becoming “normal,” the trend has spread and Europe is among the favorite places to do it.

France, Iceland, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey appear among favorites for women or men alone, couples, families or groups of friends.

The Financial Review reports on the tour of a couple in their 50s from Sidney, Australia, that “with the kids grown up – and their own parents still able to look after themselves” took a year-long trip around Europe.

“While they had more cash to spend than their younger selves, they chose to travel similarly to the way Gen Zs do. That meant they had a daily accommodation budget, opted for buses and trains in lieu of planes to reduce their carbon footprint, and relied solidly on their smartphones.”

They began in the south of France, including Montpellier, Avignon and Marseille. Then they flew to Cyprus to explore the ruins of Paphos, Limassol and Nicosia. From there to Athens and Turkey before making their way to Switzerland via Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.

The south of Spain followed with visits to Córdoba and Granada. They “closed’ the trip with visits to England, Ireland, Portugal and the Netherlands before returning to Australia and to work.

The boomers’ gap year

For many seniors, the years of retirement are the time to complete their bucket list of destinations. This older generation can now opt for longer and more ambitious trips and the travel industry is growing its offerings for older travelers.

“I’ve always been slightly alarmed about the prospect of retiring to a little place in the country and sitting back growing roses and waiting to die,” mused Mark Hainge, 65, speaking to The Guardian after completing his first gray gap year with his wife. “That doesn’t suit me at all. To have the chance to do something completely different is just so refreshing. I absolutely loved it.”

For many 60-somethings, the best adventures happen during their “gray gap years” of traveling. “Boomers are eschewing the traditional cruise holiday in favor of exploring the world with a backpack or in a camper van.”

During Europe's low tourism seasons, while schools are in session, picturesque villages, bike roads, walking routes, hiking trails and beaches, among others, are taken over by boomers.

While the stereotype of the boomer traveler is a luxury cruise trip funded by housing market profits, people over 60 who spoke to The Guardian felt “privileged to be able to take the shoestring approach usually associated with younger people.”

Among the most popular choices, the paper includes “voluntourism,” with older people wanting to contribute skills from decades in the labor market; camper van trips; learning-based trips such as yoga or painting; and even ski seasons, with some chalet companies preferring to hire retirees because they work harder than young people.

A Skyscanner travel trends report found that “over 65s, who grew up in an era in which travel was more expensive and less accessible, valued travel more than any other age group.”

According to a recent Eurostat study, senior tourism contributes to combatting seasonality, with tourists aged 65 and over spending 58% of their tourism nights in the shoulder season (running from March to June, and from September to November), while tourists aged 15 to 64 are more likely to travel in the peak months of July and August.

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• Promoting accessible tourism for all

What is accessible tourism?

Accessible tourism enables all people to participate in and enjoy tourism experiences. More people have access needs, whether or not related to a physical condition. For example, older and less mobile people have access needs, which can become a huge obstacle when traveling or touring. Thus, accessible tourism is the ongoing endeavour to ensure tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age. This inludes publicly and privately owned tourist locations, facilities and services.

Accessible tourism involves a collaborative process among all stakeholders, Governments, international agencies, tour-operators and end-users, including persons with disabilities and their organizations (DPOs). A successful tourism product requires effective partnerships and cooperation across many sectors at the national, regional and international levels. From idea to implementation, a single destination visit normally involves many factors, including accessing information, long-distance travel of various sorts, local transportation, accommodation, shopping, and dining. The impact of accessible tourism thus goes beyond the tourist beneficiaries to the wider society, engraining accessibility into the social and economic values of society. International action and normative frameworks

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006. CRPD Article 9 on Accessibility calls for State Parties to take appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to the physical environment, information, transportation and other facilities and services open or provided to the public. It also calls for the elimination of obstacles and barriers to accessibility, including all transportation and facilities. Furthermore, Article 30 on Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport also calls for State Parties to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the benefits of tourism.

At the 2013, historic UN High-level Meeting on Disability and Development, which included several Heads of State, the link of disability and development was discussed and the meeting called for enhanced action to mainstream disability in the global development agenda. In the outcome document of the meeting, accessibility was identified as a key area for action.

Furthermore, in his message for the 2013 World Habitat Day , UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the international community to make towns and cities accessible to all.

In the recent 2030 Agenda for Global Action containing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2015), Goal 11 focuses on principles to “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. This goal captures tourism and recreation through its call for the provisions of universal design for accessible and sustainable transport systems, inclusive urbanization, and access to green and public spaces. In its 2011 Declaration, The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) predicted tourism will increase and experience sustained development, reaching 1.8 billion international tourists by 2030. Accessible cities and tourism provisions therefore ensure the full social and economic inclusion of all persons with direct benefits of promoting more sustainable travel habits among users.

What are the barriers to travel and tourism for persons with disabilities?

For persons with disabilities, travelling can be a challenge, as finding the information on accessible services, checking luggage on a plane, booking a room to fulfil access needs, often prove to be difficult, costly and time consuming.

Challenges for persons with disabilities include: • Untrained professional staff capable of informing and advising about accessibility issues • Inaccessible booking services and related websites • Lack of accessible airports and transfer facilities and services • Unavailability of adapted and accessible hotel rooms, restaurants, shops, toilets and public places • Inaccessible streets and transport services • Unavailable information on accessible facilities, services, equipment rentals and tourist attractions

Why is accessible tourism important?

Accessibility is a central element of any responsible and sustainable development policy. It is both a human rights imperative, as well as an exceptional business opportunity. In this context, accessible tourism does not only benefit persons with disabilities, it benefits all of society.

To ensure that accessible tourism is developed in a sustainable manner requires that tourist destinations go beyond ad hoc services to adopting the principle of universal design, ensuring that all persons, regardless of their physical or cognitive needs, are able to use and enjoy the available amenities in an equitable and sustainable manner. This approach foregoes preferential or segregated treatment of differently abled constituents to permitting uninhibited use of facilities and services by all, at any time, to equitable effect.

I am not a person with a disability – how does this affect me?

Accessibility is also an important aspect of realizing the rights of the world’s ageing population. As we grow older, our chance of experiencing a permanent or temporary disability is increased. A focus on accessibility can therefore ensure that we are able to participate fully in our societies well into our older years. Accessibility also benefits pregnant women and persons who are temporarily rendered immobile.

The improvements to physical and service infrastructure that come with a focus on accessibility also encourage a more multigenerational focus in development planning. For families with small children, accessible infrastructure – particularly in transportation, city planning and building design – improves the ability of these families to participate in social and cultural activities.

The United Nations is committed to sustainable and equitable development. Certainly, making basic adjustments to a facility, providing accurate information, and understanding the needs of disabled people can result in increased visitor numbers. Improving the accessibility of tourism services increases their quality and their enjoyment for all tourists, as well as improving quality of life in the local communities.

Other resources:

• UN News Centre: Accessible tourism will benefit everyone, say senior UN officials on World Day
• World Tourism Day 2016 Theme: Promoting Universal Accessibility
• UN Environment : #Tourism4All videos 1 , 2 , 3
• The UNWTO General Assembly adopts Recommendations on Accessible Information in Tourism
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Publication of first international standard on accessible tourism for all, led by UNWTO, Fundación ONCE and UNE

• All Regions
• 15 Jul 2021

• The standard establishes requirements and guidelines with the aim of ensuring equal access and enjoyment of tourism for all.
• As from today, this document is available in Spanish, having been translated and included in the Spanish national catalogue of UNE standards.
• In the European Union alone, the sector represents a potential market of 80 million persons, or 130 million if companions are included.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published the world’s first standard on accessible tourism, ISO 21902 Tourism and related services – Accessible tourism for all – Requirements and recommendations. This is an international standard offering guidelines to ensure access and enjoyment of tourism for all on an equal basis.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) , Fundación ONCE and UNE ( Asociación Española de Normalización )  led the development of this pioneering, cross-cutting standard on an international level , focusing on accessible tourism throughout the whole value chain of the tourism sector.

This is a business that in the European Union represents a potential market of 80 million persons, or 130 million if companions are included. Moreover, the market is growing considering the population pyramid in many European countries, and this is also the case for other parts of the world.

As from today, this standard is available in Spanish as UNE-ISO 21902 ,  having been translated and included in the UNE national catalogue of standards. It addresses service providers and tourism operators as well as public administrations and tourism destinations.

The UNE-ISO 21902 standard establishes requirements and recommendations for accessible tourism. For example, in order for a beach to be considered accessible, it must offer showers, toilets and a route that can be used by all. Also, accessible pedestrian routes in a natural environment must provide, amongst other requirements, a continuous, firm and stable floor and signalling and must offer details on the itinerary before the start of the route. In general, in their written communications, tourism establishments must use clear and simple language following a logical sequence, with images and graphic symbols where appropriate, and with contrasting colours and easy-to-read fonts.

It is hoped that the standard will become a key tool for enforcing the right of everyone to enjoy tourism and leisure. In spite of advances over recent decades, in many countries there is still much to be done before the tourism sector takes into account the needs of the more than 1 billion persons with disabilities in the world.

Because of the way in which environments, infrastructure and a wide range of tourism services have been conceived, tourists with disabilities often face challenges starting from the actual planning of their trip and including their experience in the destination. This standard aims to trigger change.

Throughout 2021 and 2022, UNWTO, Fundación ONCE and UNE, together with experts, will hold an awareness campaign addressing their members and associates to stress the harmonization of accessible tourism on a global scale by means of standards.

This worldwide standard was developed by the International Standardization Committee ISO/TC 228 on Tourism and related services, in which UNWTO coordinated working group WG14 bringing together 85 experts from more than 35 countries and five relevant organizations in this area who were responsible for the drafting. Fundación ONCE held the technical leadership and UNE provided the secretariat and coordinated with ISO.

Related links

• Download the news release in PDF
• UNE-ISO 21902 Accessible tourism for all
• Accessible Tourism

About Fundación ONCE

Fundación ONCE for Cooperation and Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities is an instrument for solidarity within the ONCE. It was set up in 1988 to improve the living conditions of other groups of persons with disabilities, by means of programmes for inclusion in the world of work and training, as well as dissemination of the concept of universal accessibility, with the creation of globally accessible environments, products and services.

About UNE (Asociación Española de Normalización)

UNE is an entity that is legally responsible for developing technical regulations or standards. Such standards reflect the consensus of the market on best practices in key areas for the competitiveness of organizations and are the result of joint efforts by economic sectors and the administration. 12,000 experts participate in the drafting of standards in the 226 Technical Standardization Committees working in UNE. UNE represents Spain in standardization bodies on an international level (ISO and IEC), in Europe (CEN and CENELEC) and in COPANT (America); it is also the Spanish standardization body in ETSI. UNE also carries out intense work in the field of International Cooperation.

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Norilsk: The city built by gulag prisoners where Russia guards its Arctic secrets

Environmental activists are frustrated by how authorities handled a diesel spill which poured into two Arctic rivers in late May.

International correspondent @DiMagnaySky

Friday 3 July 2020 23:41, UK

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The drive from Norilsk airport to the city takes you past mile after mile of crumbling, Soviet-era factories.

It looks like an endless, rusting scrapyard - a jumble of pipes, industrial junk and frost-bitten brickwork. If you were looking for an industrial apocalypse film setting, this would be your place - but you're unlikely to get the permissions.

Norilsk was built in Stalin's times by gulag prisoners. This gritty industrial city is a testament to their endurance both of the cruelty of Stalin's regime and of the harsh polar climate. There were no thoughts then on how to build to protect the environment, just to survive it.

Vasily Ryabinin doesn't think much has changed, at least in ecological terms. He used to work for the local branch of the federal environmental watchdog, Rosprirodnadzor, but quit in June after exposing what he says was a failure to investigate properly the environmental impact of the gigantic diesel spill which poured into two Arctic rivers in late May.

At 21,000 tonnes, it was the largest industrial spill in the polar Arctic .

Despite the Kremlin declaring a federal emergency and sending a host of different agencies to participate in the clean-up, just last week Mr Ryabinin and activists from Greenpeace Russia found another area where technical water used in industrial processes was being pumped directly into the tundra from a nearby tailing pond. Russia's investigative committee has promised to investigate.

"The ecological situation here is so bad," Mr Ryabinin says.

"The latest constructions such as the tailing pond at the Talnack ore-processing plant were built exclusively by Nornickel chief executive Vladimir Potanin's team and supposedly in accordance with ecological standards, but on satellite images you can see that all the lakes in the vicinity have unnatural colours and obviously something has got into them."

Mining company Nornickel would disagree. It has admitted flagrant violations at the tailing pond and suspended staff it deems responsible at both the Talnack plant and at Norilsk Heat and Power plant no 3 where the diesel spill originated from.

On Thursday it appointed Andrey Bougrov, from its senior management board, to the newly-created role of senior vice president for environmental protection. It has a clear environmental strategy, provides regular updates on the status of the spill, and its Twitter feed is filled with climate-related alerts.

But what investors read is very different to the picture on the ground.

Norilsk used to be a closed city - one of dozens across the Soviet Union shut off to protect industrial secrets. Foreigners need special permissions approved by the Federal Security Service (FSB) to enter the region. It would take an invitation from Nornickel to make that happen and, for the past month since the spill, that has not been forthcoming.

Unlike in Soviet times, Russian citizens are now free to come and go. That's why our Sky News Moscow team were able to fly in and travel around the city, even if getting to the spill site was blocked. What they were able to film provides a snapshot of the immense challenge Russia faces in upgrading its Soviet-era industrial infrastructure, particularly at a time when climate change is melting the permafrost on which much of it was built.

Just downwind from one of the rusting factories on the city outskirts is a huge expanse of dead land. The skeletal remains of trees stand forlorn against the howling Arctic winds. Sulphur dioxide poisoning has snuffed the life out of all that lived here. Norilsk is the world's worst emitter of sulphur dioxide by a substantial margin.

"For 80km south of here everything is dead," Mr Ryabinin says, "and for at least 10km in that direction too. Everything here depends on the wind."

Immediately after the spill, Mr Ryabinin filmed and took samples from the Daldykan river just a few kilometres from the fuel tank which had leaked. By that point the river was a churning mix of diesel and red sludge dredged up from the riverbed by the force of the leak. Norilsk's rivers have turned red before and the chemical residues have sunk to the bottom, killing all life there. Nothing has lived in those rivers for decades.

In his capacity as deputy head of the local environmental watchdog, Mr Ryabinin says he insisted that he be allowed to fly further north to check the levels of contamination in Lake Pyasino and beyond.

Nornickel at the time claimed the lake was untouched by the spill. Mr Ryabinin says his boss encouraged him to let things be.

"I can't be sure I would have found anything, but this sort of confrontation - making sure I didn't go there with a camera, let alone with bottles for taking samples, it was all very clear to me. It was the final straw."

Rosprirodnadzor refused to comment to Sky News on Mr Ryabinin's allegations or suggestions that the agency was working hand in hand with Nornickel.

Georgy Kavanosyan is an environmental blogger with a healthy 37,000 following on YouTube. Shortly after the spill, he set out for Lake Pyasino and to the Pyasina River beyond to see how far the diesel had spread.

"We set out at night so that the Norilsk Nickel security wouldn't detect us. I say at night, but they've got polar nights there now, north of the Arctic Circle. So it's still light but it's quieter and we managed to go past all the cordons."

He is one of the few to have provided evidence that the diesel has in fact travelled far beyond where the company admits. Not just the 1,200km (745m) length of Lake Pyasino but into the river beyond.

He says his measurements indicated a volume of hydrocarbons dissolved in the water of between two and three times normal levels. He thinks after he published his findings on YouTube, the authorities' vigilance increased.

Greenpeace Russia have spent the last two weeks trying to obtain samples from Lake Pyasino and the surrounding area. They have faced difficulties getting around and flying their samples out for independent analysis.

They are now waiting for results from a laboratory in St Petersburg but say the samples remain valid technically for just four days after collection and that they weren't able to make that deadline due to the authorities' actively obstructing their work.

Elena Sakirko from Greenpeace Russia specialises in oil spills and says this has happened to her before. This time, a police helicopter flew to the hunter's hut where they were staying and confiscated the fuel for the boat they were using. Then a deputy for the Moscow city parliament tasked with bringing the samples back from Norilsk was forced to go back empty-handed.

"We were told at the airport we needed permission from the security department of Nornickel," Ms Sakirko says. "We asked them to show us some law or statement to prove that this was legal or what the basis for this was, but they haven't showed us anything and we still don't understand it."

Nornickel announced this week that the critical stage of the diesel spill is over. The company is now finalising dates for a press tour for foreign media and for other international environmentalists.

Mr Ryabinin thinks this should have happened weeks ago.

"If we don't let scientists come to the Arctic region to evaluate the impact of the accident, then in the future if anything similar happens, we won't know what to do."

A spokesperson for Nornickel said the company "is actively cooperating with the scientific community and will meticulously assess both the causes and effects of the accident."

Nornickel considers permafrost thawing to be the primary cause of the accident, but is waiting for the end of investigation before making a final statement, the spokesperson said.

They added that the company "accepts full responsibility for the incidents on its sites these past two months and holds itself accountable for any infrastructural deficits or poor decisions by personnel.

"The imperative is to do everything to clean up our sites, instil a stronger culture of transparency and safety in our workforce, and ensure that such situations do not occur in the future."

Closing The Gender Gap In IP: Women and the Sustainable Development Goals

April 29, 2024

How can IP help women’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Our virtual sharing session, held on April 23, 2024, brought together women entrepreneurs from Chile, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea and Georgia, to answer that question.  Each of them discussed how their work contributes to the attainment of the SDGs, demonstrating how achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral to all of the 17 Goals. 

A virtual sharing session on Women and the SDGs took place on April 23, 2024. The session was opened by Mr. Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Director General of the Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector at WIPO, who emphasized the integral role of IP in driving progress towards the SDGs. Mr. Kwakwa mentioned WIPO’s initiatives, including WIPO GREEN, Accessible Books Consortium (ABC), and Technology Innovation and Support Centres (TISCs), that have contributed directly to specific SDGs by facilitating innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development. He explained that these efforts align with the SDGs, offering a universally agreed-upon roadmap for improving global well-being, peace, prosperity, and environmental sustainability by 2030.

The session was moderated by Her Excellency Ms. Maira Mariela Macdonal Alvarez, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva. Ambassador Macdonal Alvarez reiterated the considerable contribution of women to the SDGs and emphasized the need to disseminate practical experiences widely to help to inspire more women to discover the value of IP rights during their entrepreneurial journey.

The session featured women experts from Chile, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea and Georgia, who have participated in WIPO-led projects to support women and IP.  They highlighted the role of IP in their entrepreneurial paths, while also discussing how their efforts align with achieving the SDGs.

Panelists included:

Ms. Andreina García González

Associate Professor at the Mining Engineering Department, as well as Principal Researcher at the Advanced Mining Technology Center of the University of Chile, Chile

Ms. Dina Wehbe

 IP Consultant, Founder of IPotencia, Lebanon

Ms. Mulu Almaw

Founder of MULU HEMOROVIN, Ethiopia

Ms. Florence Jaukae

Fiber Artist and Founder of the Goroka Bilum Festival, Papua New Guinea

Ms. Ana Shanshiashvili

Executive Director, Georgian Heritage Crafts Association, Georgia

The presentations of the panelists focused on:

• the research on sustainable technologies for water desalination and treatment in the mining sector in Chile, contributing to SDG6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 13: Climate Action (slides).
• an initiative designed to empower women and youth from various regions by cultivating a strong awareness of and training on IP rights, contributing to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth  (slides).
• the advocacy for traditional medicine and protection of cultural heritage through IP rights in Ethiopia, contributing to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by preserving indigenous knowledge (slides).
• the efforts in preserving traditional craftsmanship and empowering women economically in Papua New Guinea, contributing to SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production (slides).
• the story of the development of crafts association, uniting more than 300 artisans from different regions of Georgia.

Presentations of the panelists were followed by a lively Q&A session, addressing questions from the audience. The event was concluded by closing remarks delivered by Assistant Director General, Mr. Edward Kwakwa, who emphasized the critical importance of promoting female participation for driving innovation and ensuring economic success. Mr. Kwakwa highlighted WIPO's commitment to closing the gender gap through  the IP and Gender Action Plan , aligning with broader goals of sustainable development. He urged urgent collective action to integrate innovation and sustainability, pointing to WIPO’s report on ‘ ’Mapping Innovations: Patents and the Sustainable Development Goals ’’ as a catalyst for positive change.

This webinar is part of the series of sessions aiming to close the gender gap in IP, organized following a decision by the  Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) and in the context of the World IP Day 2024 celebration .

The full session is available via WIPO  Webcasting  in English, French and Spanish. The series will continue. Stay tuned!

Related information

• First sharing session on “ Closing the Gender Gap in Intellectual Property – Mapping and Addressing Barriers ”
• Second sharing session on “ Closing the Gender Gap in IP: Exploring Multi-stakeholder Initiatives ”
• Third sharing session on “ Closing the Gender Gap in IP: Looking at Good Practices ”
• Fourth sharing session on “ Closing the Gender Gap in IP: Women and Tourism ”
• Fifth sharing session on  “ Closing The Gender Gap In IP: Women In The Creative Industries ’’

Elektrostal

City in moscow oblast, russia / from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, dear wikiwand ai, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:.

Can you list the top facts and stats about Elektrostal?

Summarize this article for a 10 year old

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O-I Glass, Inc

Finance leadership development program (fldp) summer 2024.

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Financial Leadership Development Program (FLDP) Intern – Summer 2024

• Michael Owens Way, Perrysburg, OH 43551, USA
• Department: Finance
• Location: Perrysburg

Company Description

To be the leading producer of glass bottles and jars worldwide you need passion, commitment and innovation baked into the very fabric of a business and its people. For more than 120 years, our glass makers have honed their craft—channeling their creativity into more than 1,800 patents held today. When you join O-I you become part of that story.

O-I has more than a century of experience crafting pure, sustainable, brand-building glass packaging for many of the world’s best-known food and beverage brands. We are proud to provide high quality glass packaging for beer, wine, spirits, food, non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. We are dedicated to make what matters to shape a healthier, more sustainable and more exciting world. We transform the industry to make glass more relevant and more accessible to more people.

Job Description

Scope & Impact:

This program is designed to prepare and identify candidates for our full-time positions in the Financial Leadership Development Program. Ultimately, the Financial Leadership Development Program (FLDP) is designed to prepare individuals for leadership roles in accounting and finance at O-I. In order to achieve maximum personal growth and professional exposure through your internship experience, you will rotate through areas including: Internal Audit, Corporate Finance, Treasury, Global Tax, and our North American Division. Regardless of where you start, you are sure to find challenge and opportunity.

Reporting Relationships:

The position reports to the Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis.

During the internship, you’ll:

• Learn about the interdependencies among the various financial roles at O-I, helping you identify where in the organization you’d like to contribute.
• Validating management testing associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley internal control requirements while participating in the execution of a plant, division, or corporate audits.
• Participate in the planning and execution of various audit projects with the objectives of assessing the design and effectiveness of internal controls and validating the accuracy of account balances.
• Assist in performing work involving compilation, consolidation and analysis of financial data.
• This may include any or all of the following: maintaining ledgers, preparation of journal entries, fixed assets, inventory accounting, assisting in the preparation of financial statements, and cost accounting.
• Work closely with the divisional accountants on the financial aspects of the operation.
• Specific duties may vary throughout the assignment, but may include any or all of the following: maintaining ledgers, preparation of journal entries, fixed assets, inventory accounting, cost accounting, month-end and year-end closing, and monthly Sarbanes-Oxley reporting/execution.
• Assist with various tax planning projects designed to reduce O-I’s overall effective tax rate.
• Operate tax software programs in order to assist with tax-related tasks such as preparing Federal, State, Property, and International tax returns.
• Other duties may include account reconciliations, tax research, maintenance of tax compliance forms, and preparation of tax schedules.
• Assist our Treasury Analysts in preparing bank reconciliations, financial analysis and research, monthly investment analysis and reporting, capital structure analysis, and providing support to daily cash management including cash transfer execution.

The FLDP Intern should have:

• Team focus – be skilled at building partnerships and enjoy collaborating and building relationships as you work toward a common goal.
• Analytical skills and be solutions oriented; able to analyze data and interpret results to make decisions
• Flexible and organized work style to manage multiple projects simultaneously; ability to adapt in fast-changing environment
• Natural curiosity and desire to learn
• High level of motivation and ability to work independently
• Willingness to relocate – relocation is required upon completion of training for full time position (financial assistance provided by O-I)
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Qualifications

• Pursuing a business degree with an Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or Management major with a strong GPA.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Foreign language skills are a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Experience in other software programs and/or ERP systems (SAP) is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and assignments to meet objectives.
• Targeted graduation range: August 2024 to May 2025

What we offer at O-I:

• Competitive compensation
• Opportunity for future growth and advancement
• Supportive teams to help you grow and learn new skills
• Challenging assignments
• Professional networking opportunities
• Regular performance feedback