The world’s most wheelchair-accessible travel destinations

Nov 4, 2020 • 7 min read

A man wearing blue singlet and black sport pants takes his old mother on wheelchair to see the strange rock formation of Mo Hin Khao (Thailand's Stonehenge) in Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand.

These destinations ensure travel is for everyone, regardless of ability ©by Chakarin Wattanamongkol/Getty

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At Lonely Planet, we believe that travel should be for all, and that accessible travel information is vital to making that possible. And with one billion people in the world living with a disability, the more resources there are for travelers with disabilities, the better.

In partnership with KAYAK.com , we’ve rounded up the top wheelchair-accessible destinations around the world. Consider these spots for your future travel plans.

How KAYAK.com can help you find accessible accommodations

KAYAK.com 's search features can help travelers with disabilities find accommodations that meet their needs. To find accessible hotels, first search for hotels in your destination, and then check the “Increased accessibility” box in the “Amenities” filters on the left-hand side of the page. This filter reveals properties that offer these features: wheelchair accessible, facilities for disabled guests, in-room accessibility, accessible rooms, facilities for disabled guests, and disabled access.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

One hour from Cancún International Airport, Playa Del Carmen is a far cry from its more revelrous neighbor, yet still has accessible hotels and an accessible beach furnished with beach wheelchairs. There’s even adaptive equipment to allow you to go snorkeling to enjoy the coral reef and green turtles. But the main reason for coming here is to visit the nearby and largely wheelchair-accessible Mayan archaeological sites, Chichén Itzá and Tulum , a rare chance for the mobility-impaired to get up close to ancient ruins.

San Diego Harbor on clear day

San Diego, California, USA

With the Americans with Disabilities Act having just celebrated its 30th anniversary, much of the USA’s infrastructure is accessible, but our pick is San Diego . Laid out along the classic grid system, generally flat and with a fully accessible trolley system, it also boasts a balmy year-round 64-80°F climate.

The historic Gaslamp Quarter is very wheelchair friendly, as is the massive Balboa Park (incorporating the slightly hilly San Diego Zoo ), but it’s the miles of beachfront promenade with beach wheelchairs available – including a motorized one with caterpillar tracks at Mission Beach! – that are the main attraction.

Barcelona, Spain

With the national tourism authority and Catalonia in particular pushing accessible travel, it’s no surprise that wheelchair users have been flocking to Barcelona . With 80% of the metro stations and 100% of buses wheelchair-accessible, as well as a relatively flat and cobblestone-free old city, getting around is a breeze.

What’s more, wheelchair users not only jump to the front of the queue for attractions such as the breathtaking Sagrada Família, they often get in for free! You can explore the length of La Rambla and get around the famous Mercat de la Boqueria; even the beach has wheelchair access and people on hand to help.

A sign reading "Welcome to Las Vegas"

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Las Vegas is undoubtedly one of the most accessible cities for people with disabilities in the US. Of course, the casinos and the venues hosting world-renowned musicians and shows are all wheelchair accessible, as are the vast majority of sites and attractions, many of which – like the Fountains of Bellagio and the Fremont Street Experience – are completely free.

More surprising, perhaps, the High Roller – the tallest observation wheel in the world, which takes 30 minutes to do a full revolution – is also wheelchair-accessible. And if you’re after an adrenaline rush, wheelchair users can even enjoy the SlotZilla Zip Line and the Zoomline, which reach speeds of up to 35 miles an hour, or a hot-air balloon ride over the city.

Add to this a very wide choice in accessible accommodation , easy exploration along the wide sidewalks of the Strip, a fully accessible bus service that serves all parts of the city, and plenty of wheelchair-accessible taxis and you can begin to understand why Las Vegas has become something of a destination for wheelchair users.

Manchester, UK

Although it was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, much of central Manchester was rebuilt in the late 1990s, making smooth, wide, step-free pavements, as well as stepless entry into shops, restaurants and bars the norm – ideal for anyone with mobility requirements.

Northern England’s cultural hub is well served by accessible public transport, leaving you free to pay homage at Old Trafford , learn about our industrial roots at the Museum of Science and Industry or shop with the goths at Affleck’s . And if you’ve had enough of the city, the Peak District National Park , with well-developed facilities for visitors with disabilities, is less than an hour away.

An Italian piazza dotted with people and an ornate church with a mountain in the background

Sicily, Italy

Italy might not spring to mind as a very accessible destination due to its narrow, often cobblestone streets. But there are a number of tour operators that cater to travelers with disabilities.  Motor-impaired travelers can enjoy scuba diving, 4WD off-road driving, traditional Sicilian fishing and olive oil making – not to mention the gastronomic delights normally associated with Italy. Indeed, two Guinness world records have been set here: first paraplegic to dive to 59m and first blind woman to dive to 41m!

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

As one of the oldest cities in the US, you might not expect Philadelphia to be very accessible – but it is! While the Old Town may offer some challenges for wheelchair users, sidewalks are generally well maintained in the more touristed areas, with plenty of curb cuts and tactile markings.

This is particularly useful for wheelchair users considering most of the city’s attractions are within a two-mile radius of the City Hall . The subway, opened in 1907, is only partially wheelchair-accessible, as is the overland rail network, but unfortunately the aging trolley system is not. However, the city’s fleet of more than 1000 buses are all low-floor and wheelchair-accessible, as is the PHLASH tourist bus which runs a continuous loop downtown, stopping at many popular attractions, and costs only $5 for an all-day pass.

Needless to say, all of the city’s most popular attractions – including Independence Hall , the Liberty Bell , Love Park and the Philadelphia Museum of Art – are fully wheelchair-accessible despite their antiquity. And when it comes to finding accommodations , there are plenty of wheelchair-friendly options right in the center of the action.

People walking across a bridge with a city skyline in the background

Melbourne, Australia

With its highly accessible public transport system and compact city center, Melbourne is one of the most accessible cities in the world. Visit the sporting capital of Australia armed with Lonely Planet’s accessibility guide, Accessible Melbourne , a free e-book that includes the most up-to-date advice for travelers with special needs. Discover Melbourne’s best wheelchair-friendly restaurants, enjoy spectacular scenery along the Great Ocean Road , and visit one of the world’s best zoos as well as many of the parks that progressive Parks Victoria is opening up to visitors with access needs.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slovenia ’s flat and largely pedestrianized capital, served by accessible electric vehicles, is well worth a visit. Most of its buses are accessible, but the city is so small, with plenty of ramps and curb cuts, you might rarely need them.

The city’s main drawcard, the 16th-century Ljubljana Castle   is reached via a funicular (free for people with disabilities and a companion) or train, both wheelchair-accessible. Many of Jože Plečnik’s famous bridges have recently been made accessible, and were joined in 2010 by the award-winning Butchers’ Bridge, which allows wheelchair users access to boats.

Nighttime view of Singapore skyline

Singapore has to be the most accessible city in Asia and one of the most accessible cities in the world. Its universal code on barrier-free accessibility, in place for decades, plus increasing affluence have resulted in an infrastructure with stepless access to most buildings and no shortage of curb cuts.

Although power wheelchair-friendly taxis aren’t common, the accessibility of the mass rail transit (MRT) and buses makes them unnecessary. In Singapore, the question is not “what is accessible?” but rather “what isn’t?” – from its street food hawker centers to its marvelous zoo .

Vienna, Austria

Like many European cities,  Vienna is steeped in history, being the center of the former Habsburg Empire and the musical heart of Europe. Unlike many of its counterparts, however, its cobblestones have been removed, as have many of the curbs.

The refurbished city is both flat and compact, with most central shops and cafes fully accessible. Getting around is relatively easy with elevators to the metro and plenty of low-floor trams. Most museums and places of interest are fully accessible, including the must-see Schloss Schönbrunn .

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This article was first published October 2015 and updated November 2020

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Wheelchair Travel

Ultimate Guide to the World’s Wheelchair Accessible Destinations

Travel is one of the latest frontiers in the march toward accessibility, and more destinations are becoming wheelchair-friendly every year! I’ve scoured the globe to discover the world’s most wheelchair accessible cities , and I share what I’ve learned in these wheelchair travel guides. As the United Nations has prioritized the development of accessible infrastructure, more destinations have opened themselves to travelers with disabilities.

Travel guides for the cities listed below include information on the accessibility of attractions & sights, adapted hotel rooms (with roll-in showers), airports and disability assistance, public transportation, wheelchair taxis (with ramps), sidewalks, footpaths, curb ramps and more. Use these guides to plan your next wheelchair accessible vacation!

World Regions

Wheelchair accessible cities in the united states & canada, wheelchair accessible cities in africa & the middle east, wheelchair accessible cities in asia, wheelchair accessible cities in europe, wheelchair accessible cities in south america, atlanta, ga.

This state capital, the birthplace of Martin Luther King, Jr., was once host to the Summer Olympics.

Baltimore, MD

Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sits at the edge of the city’s Inner Harbor.

Home to historic sites dating to the Revolutionary War Era, Boston is improving in wheelchair accessibility.

Chicago, IL

The “Windy City” is one of America’s most accessible, with countless attractions situated along beautiful Lake Michigan.

A vibrant city undergoing constant redevelopment, Dallas is becoming a favorite for wheelchair travelers.

Set alongside the Rocky Mountains, Denver is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States.

Fort Myers, FL

Accessible beaches, a national wildlife refuge and delicious cuisine are just some of the things you’ll find in this Gulf Coast treasure.

Indianapolis, IN

A Midwestern city with impressive accessibility plus museums and monuments of surprisingly high quality.

Las Vegas, NV

“Sin City” attracts wheelchair users from all over the world and features an endless selection of entertainment to keep you coming back.

Los Angeles, CA

Hollywood is the big draw, but you’ll find so much more: beaches, museums, entertainment, sports and 5-star cuisine.

Milwaukee, WI

Beer, bratwurst and midwest culture combine to form a truly amazing vacation destination.

Montréal, Québec

Plan a trip to the Province of Québec, see its natural beauty & explore the oldest cities in North America.

Nashville, TN

Music City is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry and loads of bars with live tunes. Enough said, right?

New Orleans, LA

Bourbon Street, jazz music, beignets and creole cuisine. Need I say more?

New York City, NY

From Broadway to Lower Manhattan, you won’t find a more diverse or international city than this.

Philadelphia, PA

One of the most important cities in early American history, Philadelphia welcomes tourists of all abilities.

Pittsburgh, PA

At the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers, you’ll find the City of Bridges.

Providence, RI

The “Creative Capital” of New England is the most charming “big” city in the region.

Roswell, NM

Solve the mystery of the 1947 Roswell UFO Incident and come face-to-face with aliens in this New Mexico gem.

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah’s capital city and former host to the 2002 Olympic Games, SLC is fantastic in all seasons.

San Francisco, CA

The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf will keep you occupied – all are wheelchair accessible.

Seattle, WA

Seattle is the most iconic cities in the Pacific Northwest, with some of the best seafood in America.

This small city played an oversized role in bringing the right to vote to every American.

St. Louis, MO

The “Gateway to the West” has undergone a downtown revitalization, making it more accessible to everyone.

Washington, D.C.

The Gold Standard in wheelchair accessibility, the nation’s capital sets a great example for the world.

Cairo, Egypt

The Great Pyramids of Giza are only one aspect of the 4,500 years of history on display in the Egyptian capital.

Cape Town, South Africa

Multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, breathtaking natural beauty and a compelling history that will consume you.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, dominates the most impressive skyline in the Middle East.

Kenya (Safari)

Explore East Africa and come face-to-face with lions, leopards and elephants on safari in the Masai Mara.

Bangkok, Thailand

Although the Thai capital is one of the least accessible major cities in Asia, it can still be enjoyed through determination.

Beijing, China

Sitting atop the Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a wheelchair accessible experience you’ll never forget.

Hong Kong, China

Asia’s most wheelchair-friendly city boasts a symphonic light show that illuminates the skyline of skyscrapers.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

This former British territory is one of the most free and diverse Muslim nations in the world.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Home of the world’s first wheelchair accessible tuk-tuk, Cambodia’s capital has the highest rate of amputees per capita.

Seoul, South Korea

If you enjoy street food, you won’t find a city that does it better.

This travel guide is in development and will be published later this year.

Shanghai, China

The most accessible city in Mainland China, Shanghai has an impressive downtown and the world’s fastest Maglev train.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

The 17th-century Golden Age is alive in Amsterdam, easily one of Europe’s most walkable (and rollable) cities.

Berlin, Germany

A city once decimated and divided by war, international politics and a wall, Berlin has risen from the ashes like no other city.

Bratislava, Slovakia

With one of the most charming and wheelchair-friendly Old Towns in Europe, the Slovakian capital city is a must-see.

Brussels, Belgium

Grand Place, the city’s central square, is the most picturesque in all of Europe.

Bucharest, Romania

Although accessibility is a challenge, this Eastern European city is a must visit destination.

Take your wheelchair to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar, and meet wild monkeys in the process.

London, England

Accessibility in the British capital is constantly improving, making London a fantastic trip for wheelchair users.

Luxembourg City’s medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is unmatched in beauty.

Madrid, Spain

Spain’s capital city is home to some of the world’s most renowned art museums, including the Reina Sofía, where Picasso’s “Guernica” is on display.

Moscow, Russia

Rolling your wheelchair into the Kremlin and Red Square need not be a dream anymore.

Munich, Germany

Get lost in the beer halls during the annual Oktoberfest celebration. Don’t drink  too much, though, if you’re driving a wheelchair!

Oslo, Norway

The gem of Scandinavia will take your breath away with its natural beauty and old world charm.

Paris, France

The City of Lights won’t disappoint. Wheelchair users get free access to the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie, Palace of Versailles and more.

Prague, Czech Republic

Central Europe’s “City of a Hundred Spires” is much more wheelchair-friendly than you might expect.

Riga, Latvia

Located at the mouth of the Daugava River and Baltic Sea, Riga features a pedestrian-only historic city center.

Rome, Italy

The Eternal City boasts ancient Roman ruins, easy access to Vatican City and some of the best cuisine in Europe.

Tallinn, Estonia

Known for its well-preserved Old Town, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tallinn offers a captivating blend of medieval charm and modern amenities.

Vilnius, Lithuania

Located near the geographic center of Europe, Vilnius’ UNESCO-listed Old Town has existed for nearly a thousand years.

Bogota, Colombia

This high-altitude city has one of the world’s largest wheelchair accessible bus rapid transit systems.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fall in love with the European architecture, colorful buildings, 250+ public parks and 280+ performance theaters.

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

Founded in 1680, this city’s Historic Quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, complete with a fortification wall and lighthouse.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The former Portuguese colony has become one of the most accessible destinations in Latin America.

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Destinations for All

Destinations for All

Sharing accessibility solutions for tourism.

accessible tourism destinations

Call for Applications: Organization of the 3rd World Summit on Accessible Tourism

Destinations for All (DfA) aims to promote accessible tourism around the world. It brings together many players from across the globe to share good practices in the field of accessible tourism.

Two summits have already been held, first in Montreal in 2014, and then in Brussels in 2018 . The third, initially planned to be held in Miami in 2021, was unfortunately cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Destinations for All is therefore looking for a new organizer to host the third summit due to take place between September 2024 and June 2025.

Are you an NGO or a public institution and would like to host the next World Summit on Accessible Tourism? Contact us at [email protected] before 14 May 2023 to express your interest.

More information about the Call for application .

6 Tour Companies Dedicated to Travelers with Disabilities

By Arundhati Nath

San Pedro de Atacama Chile

Growing up, Neha Arora didn’t have the easiest time traveling with her family—her father is visually impaired and her mother is a wheelchair user. “We’d travel 2,000 miles only to realize the place wasn’t accessible or wouldn’t give us the experience we were looking forward to,” says Arora. In 2016, she founded Planet Abled , a travel company that caters to the needs of people with various disabilities, a group the World Health Organization estimates at 15 percent of the world’s population. Arora isn’t the only one pushing for more thoughtful travel experiences—here’s a look at six companies focused on accessible travel .

Travel for All

Travel for All has organized more than 5,000 vacations around the world for travelers with a variety of requirements, including cane users, slow walkers, hearing and vision impaired persons, travelers with complex health issues like dialysis and developmental disabilities, and wheelchair users. “As multiple sclerosis began to affect my own personal travel, I researched what resources could assist me with executing travel using my wheelchair,” says CEO Tarita Davenock. “I was shocked when I saw the lack of services.” Every trip Travel for All plans comes with an accessibility specialist. “We research and give our clients the pros and cons of any area in the world before planning the trip, so our client knows what to expect while they are in that destination,” says Davenock. “Meticulous planning and great attention to detail are the keystones of keeping our vacations safe.”

Seable Holidays

A Seable group trip in Cambodia, where travelers visited the Wat Phnom temple

Seable Holidays

Seable Holidays specializes in trips for visually impaired travelers. All trips include trained chaperones—who undergo a background check—as well as inclusive sports and sensory activities like horse riding, scuba diving, kayaking, wine tasting, yoga, and tactile museum excursions. And everything is thoroughly vetted, with chaperones, activities, and accommodations tested by blind people before they’re recommended by the company. While trips are on pause during the pandemic, Seable Holidays will bring them back in summer 2022.

Easy Access Travel

Debra Kerper and her team at Easy Access Travel accommodate most types of physical disabilities in their solo trips and mixed group tours. While Kerper sometimes relies on her own experiences as a traveler in a wheelchair, she says every trip needs to be tailored to an individual client’s needs. To do so, the team spends time getting to know their clients to match them with the best vacation choice, and visits hotels and tourist spots for inspection, takes cruises beforehand, and collects information from trustworthy sources to ensure a safe, accessible, and fun experience.

Planet Abled

Neha Arora’s Planet Abled arranges customized tours for people with different types of disabilities, and also plans group tours that include non-disabled people. Their trips mostly take place in India and South East Asia , with plans to expand to countries in Europe, and popular activities include river rafting, skiing, trekking, and wildlife safaris. Some of their extra touches include assigning a travel buddy for the blind, seeking special permission from museums so clients can touch and feel the articles on display, and arranging for sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired.

Wheel the World

Alvaro Silberstein, the CEO of Wheel the World , was paralyzed from the chest down after surviving an accident at 18. This didn’t stop him from seeing the world—he’s since visited 30 countries on five continents. “I realized that people with disabilities should be able to explore places as anyone else,” he says. Most of his clients are adults or seniors with mobility disabilities and wheelchair users, and he can arrange solo travel or group trips. Silberstein wants to create more awareness around accessibility, and his company pays special attention to details like the height of beds, width of doors, and accessibility of bathrooms, compiling this information on the Wheel the World website. Their multi-day trips are designed with local tour operators with a focus on accessible travel, and includes access to adaptive bikes, beach wheelchairs, and equipment for hiking, skydiving, kayaking, scuba diving, and surfing—they’ve even planned Macchu Pichu trips for wheelchair users . The company makes sure “prices are competitive and the pricing is the same no matter if the clients have a disability or not,” says Silberstein.

Tapooz Travel Portugal

A quiet moment in Sintra, Portugal

Tapooz Travel

Laurent Roffe and Aicha Nystrom spent years volunteering with an organization that provides outdoors excursions to people with disabilities. “We have many friends in wheelchairs as part of our close community,” says Roffe. “I’m a sea kayak guide and [Aicha] is a ski guide and this has always been a source of immense joy for us. Launching our accessible travel business was a natural extension of what we are and what we like to do.” Their company, Tapooz Travel , specializes in trips for those with mobility issues, including visual and hearing impairment, rather than cognitive disabilities. When they have a client with a visual or hearing impairment, they make sure there’s at least one guide trained in sign language, or have a guide who can help with things like reading the menu at the restaurant and providing a voice narration during a site visit. Their network also includes adaptive sports instructors, sailboat skippers, tribal elders, massage therapists, and hot air balloon operators , all of whom are trained to work with travelers with disabilities.

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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 and Disability-Friendly Travel Destinations Around the World

Disability-Friendly Spa

With the rise in technology and awareness of various mental and physical disabilities, inclusiveness and accommodations have increased, too. Amusement parks , beaches, attractions and entire cities have been redesigned to provide better opportunities for more people. To get you started, here are some of the top disability-friendly places to check out around the world.

Berlin, germany.

Berlin has made a commitment to be “barrier free,” meaning the city is accessible for those in wheelchairs, with limited mobility, the blind or partially sighted, the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and who benefit from simple language. In 2013, Berlin received the European Commission’s Access City award and was specifically praised for the public transport and accessible new buildings. These efforts spread further, though, to tourist sites, events and hotels. For an on-the-go guide, download the accessBerlin app.

accessible tourism destinations

Seattle, WA, United States of America

St. simon’s island, ga, united states of america.

This quaint island in Georgia’s Golden Isles is a great place to relax. Although not all the shops are accessible, many of the attractions and lodging options are, as well as the St. Simon Colonial Island Trolley Tour. However, the most exciting reason to visit is the hard-packed sand on the beach that can support standard wheelchairs (versus beach-specific wheelchairs).

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Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom

That’s right—Shakespeare’s birthplace is disability-friendly! Check out The Garrick Inn, an accessible pub that happens to be the oldest in town. The Royal Shakespeare Company is also accessible and has strived to provide access to the arts since 1991. They offer sign language translation, audio descriptions, an induction loop amplification system and infra-red headsets. Other disability-friendly options include lodging, taxis, public transportation, the Stratford Town Walk, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, banks, churches and pharmacies!

U.S. National Parks

Not all national parks are accessible, but the National Park Service (NPS) did create an Accessibility Task Force in 2012 that has since implemented a five-year plan to increase accessibility throughout the parks between 2015 and 2020. NPS also offers a free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities, which provides free entrance to 2,000 recreation sites for the pass holder and a limited number of guests (depending on the park), as well as discounts on expanded amenity fees. Among the most accessible are Congaree National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park .

Rocky Mountain National Park

Sydney, Australia

With 2,100 tactile and Braille street signs and accessibility for almost all their public transportation, Sydney is quickly becoming a disability-friendly destination. Their Accessibility Map , currently in beta, provides helpful information, such as where to find mobility parking spaces and accessible public restrooms. It also warns of potential barriers, such as stairs or steep inclines. The city is always moving to improve and progress, starting with A City for All: Inclusion (Disability) Action Plan 2017-2021 .

Disney World

In response to their goal of increased inclusiveness, Disney World has developed Guides for guests with disabilities and for guests with cognitive disabilities. Service animals are welcome, and the park offers assistive listening, captioning, audio description and wheelchair rental. They also offer a Disability Access Service (DAS), which provides a comparable return time for those unable to wait in a conventional line. Disney Land offers similar accommodations.

Montréal, QC, Canada

Kéroul is an organization in Québec that connects those with motor, visual, hearing and other physical impairments with tourist facilities in the province. They have assessed 289 establishments in Montréal and list 118 attractions, 58 accommodations, 84 restaurants and 25 other organizations (pharmacies, grocery stores, libraries, etc.) as accessible. Tourist and Leisure Companion Stickers are also available and provide free entrance to attractions for those accompanying disabled persons.

Montréal Biosphère

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin has quite the digital spread on information regarding disability-friendly places. Their award-winning website, Mobility MOJO , provides current information on accessibility of hotels, transportation, restaurants, pubs, attractions and more in Dublin and beyond. Although the cobblestone streets, plentiful hills and buildings that are hundreds of years old can present some difficulty, the city is committed to braiding accessibility into its history and character, and its compact design makes it easier to get around, which is further aided with low curbs and added ramps.

Hanauma Bay, Hawaii

Another excellent option for disabled persons looking to relax on the beach, Hanauma Bay provides beach wheelchairs free of charge. All their facilities are accessible, as are city buses and the tram to the beach. The movie theater has a separate screen with closed-captioning as well.

Hanauma Bay

San Diego, CA, United States of America

San Diego is an incredibly diverse city with an array of options for disabled visitors, including free beach wheelchairs and accessible sightseeing tours. Some theaters also provide infra-red audio assistance systems, ASL translation and audio-described performances. Many places also allow service animals. Accessible attractions include the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Zoo and the USS Midway Museum.

South Africa

Access 2 Africa Safaris in South Africa is run by safari experts who draw on their personal experiences with disabled individuals. The company was honored with the 2016 South African Lilizela Tourism Award in four separate categories. They also accommodate able-bodied families, individuals and groups, but they specialize in disability-friendly accommodations. Choose from wheelchair-accessible packages in addition to specific tours designed for the hearing impaired (with visually exciting scenes and sign language interpreters) and the visually impaired (with a focus on touch, sound and smells). Choose from one-day, seven-day and 12-day safari experiences for everyone .

Elephants in South Africa

Pattaya, Thailand

Pattaya is an excellent choice for disabled individuals seeking a resort experience. All of the rooms at The Royal Cliff Hotels Group have adjusted peepholes, elevators with Braille, portable wooden ramps and swimming pools with safety rails. A-ONE Pattaya Beach Resort was built specifically with wheelchair users in mind. There are no steps in the entire building (including emergency exits), a barrier-free movement design, low-level counters, controls, etc., and menus in Braille. The beaches in Pattaya have limited access, and though it might not be possible to get to the water in a wheelchair, most of the city’s attractions are accessible and are becoming more disability-friendly all the time.

accessible tourism destinations

As a major resort, LEGOLAND offers many disability-friendly options. Their shops, restaurants, show venues, and most of their rides and attractions are accessible, and there are play areas specifically designed for those with autism and similar disorders. LEGOLAND also offers an Assisted Access Pass with a return time that can accommodate up to six people. Otherwise, the Florida resort offers the Hero Pass, which provides immediate front-of-the-line access for families with a member who is unable to wait.

Loutraki, Greece

Sirens Resort in Loutraki is a wonderful option for disabled people. The apartments accommodate between one and eight people, and the resort offers wheelchair rentals, shower wheelchairs and toilet commodes, as well as physiotherapy in the privacy of your apartment. Wheelchair-accessible taxis are available, and the beach is fully accessible with free sea wheelchairs and a sea ramp. They even offer disabled-friendly excursions around the area.

Sicily, Italy

In addition to the increasingly accessible accommodations, Sicily offers disability-friendly features at many of its attractions, including the Castello Ursino Museum , which can accommodate wheelchair users and the visually impaired. Disability-friendly activities on the island include accessible SCUBA, the Tactile Museum and the Sensorial-Botanic Garden. In fact, two Guinness World Records have been set in Sicily: the first paraplegic to dive to 59 meters and the first blind woman to dive to 41 meters!

Sicily

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Tourism Teacher

What is Accessible Tourism and Why is it So Important?

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

Accessible tourism is an integral part of implementing sustainable tourism. When most people hear the term ‘accessible tourism’, they immediately think of disabled people and things such as audio devices for the blind and ramps for those in wheelchairs. Yes, this is an important part of accessible tourism, BUT accessible tourism is actually MUCH more than this!

Accessible tourism is about providing access to tourism for people from all walks of life and all kinds of backgrounds- provision for disabled people makes up just one fragment of this.

This article sets out to cover the broad spectrum of areas that are encompassed within the concept of accessible tourism. I will explain what accessible tourism is, provide some definitions of accessible tourism and then I will discuss at length the factors influencing accessible tourism.

What is accessible tourism?

Definitions of accessible tourism, why is accessible tourism important, factors influencing access to tourism, disposable income, cost of travel, cost of tourism, cost of living, exchange rate, available leisure time, nature of employment, stage of life, social environment, access to transport , cultural attitude, images of destination, perception of destination, familiarity with destination, uncertainty over future, political stability, disease , natural disaster, social conditions , economic conditions, level of development, government attitude to tourism, laws or restrictions, availability of resources for tourism, attractions , mega-events, marketing and promotion, technology , startegies to implement accessible tourism, accessible tourism: conclusion, further reading on accessible tourism.

Accessibility in tourism is a social right- everyone should have access regardless of where they come from, their age, their gender, any disabilities they may have, hope much money they earn etc.

Also sometimes referred to as ‘ tourism for all ‘, accessible tourism is closely aligned with the principles of sustainable tourism . In order for an organisation to be sustainable, it should provide access opportunities for all.

Accessible tourism

Accessible tourism provides opportunities for all types of people to take part in tourism activities.

People’s needs vary considerably- while one person may have a physical disability, another person may be financially disadvantaged or may not have access to the technology required to organise their trip.

By ensuring there is accessible tourism, destinations are enhancing their business prospects by attracting a wider range of tourists than they may otherwise achieve.

Accessible tourism involves a collaborative process among all stakeholders in tourism including Governments, international agencies, tour-operators and tourists themselves.

There are many things to consider when planning for accessible tourism, such as accessing information, travel arrangements to the destination, local transportation, accommodation, shopping, and hospitality.

There is no universally agreed and approved definition of the term accessible tourism, which perhaps contributes to the lack of clarity that many people have in understanding what constitutes accessible tourism.

The concept of accessible tourism has evolved considerably throughout recent years. This is largely because society has become more aware and more inclusive. This has resulted in discussions about accessibility coming to the forefront amongst tourism stakeholders.

Below I have outlined some of the commonly noted definitions, however, it is important to remember that the concept is likely to continue to evolve further and that the term be need to be ‘redefined’ as necessary.

Accessible tourism (also known as access tourism, ‘universal tourism’, ‘inclusive tourism’ and in some countries such as in Japan ‘barrier-free tourism’) is tourism and travel that is accessible to all people, with disabilities or not, including those with mobility, hearing, sight, cognitive, or intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, older persons and those with temporary disabilities”  ( Takayama Declaration – Appendix, UNESCAP, 2009 ). 

‘Accessible tourism refers to tourism that caters to the needs of a full range of consumers including persons with disabilities, older persons and cross-generational families. It entails removal of attitudinal and institutional barriers in society, and encompasses accessibility in the physical environment, in transportation, information and communications and other facilities and services. It encompasses publicly and privately owned tourist locations.’ ( Takayama City and UNESCAP Conference – Press Release – Takayama, 2009 )

‘Accessible tourism is a process of enabling people with disabilities and seniors to function independently and with equity and dignity through the delivery of universal tourism products, services and environments. The definition is inclusive of the mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive dimensions of access.’ (Darcy, 2006)

‘ Accessible tourism enables people with access requirements, including mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive dimensions of access, to function independently and with equity and dignity through the delivery of universally designed tourism products, services and environments. This definition is inclusive of all people including those travelling with children in prams, people with disabilities and seniors’. (Darcy & Dickson, 2009)

More posts that may interest you- – Types of tourism: A glossary – Everything you need to know about sustainable tourism – Enclave tourism: An explanation – The structure of the tourism industry – What is the sharing economy and how does impact travel and tourism?

Accessible tourism is not just about people with disabilities, it is about everyone.

Accessibility is a central element of any responsible and sustainable development policy , both in the context of tourism and in other areas.

Accessible tourism is important because accessibility is a human right and an important business opportunity. By ensuring that tourism is accessible, there is more scope for business development for individuals and from a top-down perspective.

In order to ensure that accessible tourism is developed in a sustainable manner, tourism stakeholders must develop policies and practices aimed at achieving inclusivity, avoiding practices that include preferential or segregated treatment.

There are many factors that may influence a person’s access to tourism. In order for tourism to be developed and managed in a sustainable way, these factors should be taken into consideration at the planning stage and throughout implementation.

Accessible tourism

Accessible tourism: Economic factors

There are many economic reasons that tourism may not be accessible for some people. I will outline some of the major economic factors below.

Travel and tourism is considered a luxury in that it is not essential to maintain life. As a result, when a person does not have much disposable (or ‘extra’) income, the first thing to suffer is often their holidays.

During times of financial hardship, such as an economic recession, the tourism industry is one of the first areas to suffer.

Therefore, disposable income is a key contributor to the travel and tourism industry.

A key contributor to accessible tourism is price. If the price of travel is too high, many people will not be able to access it.

The tourism industry really took off with the growth of the low cost carrier . Reductions in the price of flights, coupled with growing route networks, made travel and tourism more accessible.

But it’s not just about the cost of travelling to a destination. The price of tourism facilities in the destination is also a key factor in attaining accessible tourism.

If hotels and tourist attractions are very expensive, this will likely mean that many people will not be able to access the tourism industry in this area.

The cost of living in both the tourism traveller region and the tourism destination region (for more on this see my post on Leiper’s tourism system ) can have a significant impact on accessible tourism.

leiper

If the cost of living is high in either area, tourists may not be able to financially access tourism.

Exchange rates are particularly important in international tourism .

Tourists who are based in a country with a strong currency (such as the UK, the USA, Australia ) are naturally at an economic advantage over tourists who live in countries with weaker countries.

This is because their money goes further when they travel abroad, particularly if they choose to travel to a destination with a currency that is weaker than the currency used in their home country.

Accessible tourism: Social factors

There are also many social factors that contribute to accessible tourism. I will introduce you to these below.

Accessible tourism is dependant on whether a person has the free time to spend on tourism.

Many countries around the world now offer their employees paid leave each year. This has resulted in a growth in tourism because people have more available leisure time.

Whether you have a lot of time to spend on travel and tourism or not can be dependant on the type of employment that you have.

For me, one of the reasons that I work in education is so that I have lots of free leisure time to travel!

However, some jobs do not offer such flexibility and may offer reduced leisure time.

A person’s physical ability to take part in tourism is a key contributor to accessible tourism.

This includes physical disabilities, illnesses and health that is effected by age.

There are many things that tourism stakeholders can do to ensure that tourism is accessible such as providing ramps for people who are in wheelchairs, brail cards for the blind and lifts for those who find stairs challenging.

Accessible tourism should enable people to access tourism no matter what stage of life they are in. This means that there should be facilities for young children, such as ramps of buggies, as well as facilities for the elderly.

Tourism destinations should try to differentiate the products that they have on offer to cater for people of all ages.

Education may have an impact on how accessible tourism is for a person.

For example, it has been a long debated topic about whether students should be allowed to take holidays during the school term. Prices invariably rise as soon as school breaks up, meaning that some families can no longer afford the tourism products that are on offer.

Different people come from different social environments and this should not make tourism any more or less accessible.

A social environment could be centred around a particular culture or religion, for example.

It could also be related to particular hobbies and interests.

Some people have more access to transport than others. This is commonly noted when comparing city living to rural living. In towns and cities there is typically a wider range of transport options than in rural areas.

In fact, transport accessibility is one of the greatest challenges that the rural tourism industry faces.

Psychological factors

Psychological factors also play a significant role in accessible tourism. Here is a summary:

If a person is not motivated to visit a certain area, they probably won’t- it’s as simple as that!

A person’s cultural attitude can be an important factor in accessible tourism.

For example, people want to feel that their culture will be treated with respect.

Some people think they are superior or inferior to others, and if this is the case then they may not wish to travel to a particular area in which they hold this view.

The image of a destination is a key factor in determining if a person may be likely to visit.

Many of us want to visit Thailand because of the many images of exotic beaches that we can see, for example.

However, some people may not want to travel to Thailand because they perceive it to be a bad country because of the poverty levels or because of sex tourism in Thailand .

This demonstrates that perception also plays a key role in accessible tourism.

Many people prefer to travel to a destination because they are familiar with it.

This may be because they have travelled to said destination before, or it may be because they have seen their favourite influencer talk about it on Instagram .

Familiarity with a destination can be a motivational factor.

Sometimes tourists feel that they have a ‘connection’ to a place.

In some instances this may be a physical connection- a family member may live there or the tourist may have a strong history in the area.

In other cases tourists may feel that they have a psychological connection with a place. They may affiliate with the culture or the ‘feel’ of the place.

Whilst for some people, distance is no issue, other people prefer to stay closer to home.

And some people prefer not to travel to particular areas or using particular modes of transport because of fear.

A person made be afraid of flying, for example.

Another factor that can influence accessible tourism is uncertainty that a person may have in their future.

Many people may not want to go on holiday if they have worries over aspects such as their job security or money.

The 2020 Coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated more than ever that people are nervous to travel when there are political, economic and health uncertainties.

Broader factors (macro-determinants)

Alongside the environmental, social and economic factors that influence accessible tourism, there are also several macro-determinants which can play a key role. Some examples include:

Destinations that are experiencing or that have recently experience terrorist attacks are unlikely to be accessible tourism destinations.

e.g. New York after the 9/11 attacks, Tunisia after the shootings in 2015, Bali after the bombing in 2002.

Areas that have ongoing war are also unlikely to be accessible tourism destinations.

One exception is Israel. Israel continues to welcome tourists, despite ongoing feuds with Palestine. I watched rockets being shot out of then sky when I was there, it was pretty scary. You can read all about that here.

Destinations that are experiencing political instability are not likely to welcome tourists with open arms.

They also often receive a lot of negative media attention, which can impact tourist motivations to travel to the area in the near future.

e.g. Thailand Bangkok riots in 2018, Egyptian revolution in 2011.

If a person does not feel safe and secure in a destination, they may not feel that it is accessible.

There are many parts of Africa and Central America that revive fewer visitors for this reason.

Many tourists will avoid travelling to areas that have disease.

This has never been more prevalent than the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, which has a devastating impact on the tourism industry.

Natural disasters often hit tourist destinations hard.

The 2001 tsunami, the Nepalese earthquake in 2015 and Hurricane Katrina in the USA in 2005 all had terrible consequences for the tourism sector.

Many people do not want to be faced with particular social conditions when they go on holiday.

This may be things such as poverty, gun crime or smoking.

Many tourists do not want to experience tourism in poor areas.

The economic conditions here mean that accessible tourism is not achieved.

Other people are influenced by levels of development.

Many less economically developed countries do not experience the same levels of tourism is Western nations because of their inferior levels of development.

This include aspects such as an underdeveloped airport or road infrastructure.

In some parts of the world the Government may not have a favourable attitude towards tourism.

There could be a lot of corruption, for example. Or there could be high taxes on tourism activities.

Some people choose not to travel to particular areas because of the laws or restrictions placed upon them.

A common example of this is people who are in same-sex relationships who wish to visit destinations in The Middle East. Rules and punishments for same-sex relationships shown in public can be severe; making tourism inaccessible for some.

Some areas are not accessible destinations because they lack the sources required for tourism.

Perhaps the area does not have a well developed road infrastructure or enough water to fill the hotel swimming pool, for example.

Attractions can be a big draw to a destinations for tourists. Likewise, a lack of attractions may put tourists off.

Mega-events can often result in overtourism and congestion.

Mega-events could be the reason a person visits the area, but it could also put a person off visiting.

In order for accessible tourism to be achieved, all types of visitors should be made aware of what is on offer.

This is where good marketing and promotion come in.

Lastly, technology can have a significant influence on whether accessible tourism is achieved or not.

Nowadays, many people will rely on technology for research purposes and to book the components of their holiday .

Therefore, those who do not have adequate access to such technology may be disadvantaged.

There are many strategies that tourism destinations and organisations can use to implement accessible tourism. This includes:

  • Encouraging policies and actions to support social tourism at all levels
  • Ensuring universal adherence to workers’ leave entitlement, safeguarding this aspect of social security guaranteed by the European social model 
  • Designing and adapting tourism facilities and sites to meet physical disability needs
  • Improving information relevant to disabled people and under-privileged groups 
  • Encouraging a broad price range in tourism facilities and experiences 
  • Pursuing specific schemes to facilitate and encourage holiday-taking by people on low incomes, such as the holiday voucher systems run in some countries based on tax incentives and involving governments and operators
  • Having effective marketing and promotion strategies

Accessible tourism is not a luxury, it is a right. Everybody should have access to tourism.

In order for tourism to be sustainable, it should do its upmost to development and implement accessible tourism where possible. This will inevitably have positive outcomes for the overall business development. As I have explained in this article, the three keys areas of the environment, economy and society should be considered when planning for accessible tourism.

To learn more about accessible tourism, I suggest that you consult the texts listed below.

  • Accessible Tourism: Concepts and Issues – This book sets out to explore and document the current theoretical approaches, foundations and issues in the study of accessible tourism.
  • Best Practice in Accessible Tourism: Inclusion, Disability, Ageing Population and Tourism – It brings together global expertise in planning, design and management to inform and stimulate providers of travel, transport, accommodation, leisure and tourism services to serve guests with disabilities, seniors and the wider markets that require good accessibility. 

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8 February 2024, Athens. Hosted by the Greek National Tourism Organisation, the 9th Annual Meeting of the Market Intelligence and Marketing Groups of the European Travel Commission (ETC) enjoyed a stimulating collaborative Workshop addressing Accessible Tourism in the context of National Tourist Organisations' (NTOs) research and marketing activities.

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Accessible Tourism in the Digital Ecosystem pp 45–55 Cite as

Accessible Tourism from the Destination Perspective: Coordination Among Actors and Digital Ecosystems

  • Paola Castellani 4 &
  • Alfonso Vargas-Sánchez 5  
  • First Online: 30 August 2023

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Part of the SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology book series (BRIEFSAPPLSCIENCES)

Accessible tourism destinations provide both tourists and locals with substantial benefits, but the transition toward fully accessible tourism requires investment and appropriate governance mechanisms. This chapter discusses the role of technological and non-technological resources that enable a transition to accessible tourism and specifically addresses the relationship between accessible tourism and smart tourism destinations. The chapter also emphasizes the need for coordination among the multiple actors who belong to the destination’s service ecosystem for successful accessible tourism, outlining both the formal and informal coordination mechanisms among actors. Finally, the specific contribution of digital ecosystems enabled by digital platforms is presented and discussed, highlighting that the establishment of digital platforms is necessary but not sufficient to establish effective digital collaboration among actors.

  • Accessible tourism
  • Smart tourism destination
  • Coopetition
  • Service ecosystems
  • Digital ecosystems
  • Destination management organization

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Paola Castellani

University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain

Alfonso Vargas-Sánchez

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Castellani, P., Vargas-Sánchez, A. (2023). Accessible Tourism from the Destination Perspective: Coordination Among Actors and Digital Ecosystems. In: Cassia, F., Castellani, P., Rossato, C. (eds) Accessible Tourism in the Digital Ecosystem. SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38782-1_4

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Saguaro cacti at sunset in Saguaro National Park, Arizona.

Susan Wright for The New York Times

Map of Chioggia, Italy

Chioggia, Italy

Built on a cluster of islands in the Venetian lagoon, with centuries-old buildings rising from the canals in all their decadent glory, Chioggia is called “piccola Venezia,” or little Venice. Locals beg to disagree: If anything, they say, it’s nearby Venice that should be described as Chioggia’s larger doppelgänger, and it’s true, Chioggia is older. Venice is so worried about being overwhelmed once again after the pandemic that it is planning to resort to surveillance cameras and cellphone data to control the crowds; visiting other culturally rich places like Chioggia can help relieve the pressure. Today, Chioggia is popular with Italian and German visitors, drawn both by the architectural beauties in the historic center and the family-friendly beaches of its mainland suburb, Sottomarina. The city, which has preserved a rough maritime vibe, can serve as an ideal base for bicycle tours . It is also known for its radicchio. During a time of increased awareness of overtourism, this miniature Venice is a delightful alternative for travelers looking for a lesser-known destination.

— Anna Momigliano

Chimanimani National Park

Mountain range rising in the horizon of Chimanimani National Park.

Chimanimani National Park, Mozambique

Even at a time when many of the world’s countries were under extreme duress, the case of Mozambique was severe enough to catch the attention of the United Nations: In March, Secretary General António Guterres called upon the international community to help the African country as it faced the triple threat of climate change, Covid and conflict. It’s not the first time that Mozambique has faced such crisis — its civil war of more than 15 years resulted in a million lives lost and a huge loss for its wildlife, too. But the country showed its resilience. In 2008, the Gorongosa National Park launched a vast program to repopulate a reserve decimated by poaching, accompanied by grass-roots efforts like training local women as game wardens. In May, another spectacular national park was unveiled: Chimanimani, along the border with Zimbabwe. The park has priceless ancient rock paintings; secluded sacred mountains including the country’s highest peak, Mount Binga; and natural habitats for the plants, birds and wildlife like the southern-ground hornbill, miniature squeaker frog and Agama kirkii lizard.

— Ondine Cohane

Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Aguachile Tostada and other dishes from restaurant Mariscos El Submarino.

Queens, New York

Queens wants you to show up hungry. “There’s probably nowhere else in the world where you can sample the home cooking of more than 150 different countries within such a compact space,” says the restaurant critic Robert Sietsema, who covers the borough’s restaurants for Eater.com. And at a time when long-haul travel is still uncertain, a dim-sum lunch at Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao in Flushing is as quick and delicious a ticket to China as some nostril-clearing shrimp aguachile at the new Mariscos El Submarino in Jackson Heights is a trip to Mexico. “The Queens restaurant industry was slammed by Covid-19, but now it’s recovering because we’re a borough of family-centered communities where the restaurants take care of their own,” says Jonathan Forgash, a chef and borough resident who founded Queens Together , a nonprofit, in March 2020.

— Alexander Lobrano

Northumberland

Andy Haslam for The New York Times

Bamburgh Castle at dusk.

Northumberland, England

Britain’s diverse coastline, from the cliffs of Dover to the boardwalks of Brighton, will soon have a unifying element: the 2,800-mile England Coast Path . Developed in part by the governmental organization Natural England, the path aims to increase public access to the coast while also restoring landscapes, improving community connection and promoting sustainable travel. Trail segments that have opened include a 44-mile stretch in the northeast, from the River Tyne to the Northumberland coast , which is the epitome of rugged England: misty dunes, rocky headlands, wild beaches. At night, look up. The Northumberland International Dark Sky Park has some of the lowest light pollution in the country and features one of the largest areas of protected night sky in Europe. Gaze at galaxies sprayed across the sky at Kielder Observatory , and then venture to the ancient past as Hadrian’s Wall is celebrating its 1,900th anniversary with a yearlong festival .

— AnneLise Sorensen

Zihuatanejo

Adrian Wilson for The New York Times

A view of the beach after sunset from inside Playa Viva.

Zihuatanejo, Mexico

This laid-back beach town — neighbor of Ixtapa, the resort destination on the Pacific Coast — and communities around it have spawned grass-roots environmental projects that travelers can support. The conservation nonprofit Whales of Guerrero has helped train fishermen as whale-watching guides, and Campamento Tortuguero Ayotlcalli offers opportunities to join turtle nest patrols and release hatchlings. The guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela , Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero, are involved with local vegan initiatives; Mr. Sánchez runs his own plant-based restaurant, La Raíz de la Tierra . Check into Playa Viva , 30 miles south. The solar-powered regenerative resort has helped revive the adjoining village of Juluchuca by providing education and employment in conservation, tourism and agriculture. It recently joined a new regional project to protect the watershed of the Juluchuca River, which begins in the mountainous interior where guests can take A.T.V. excursions to explore the headwaters at an off-grid coffee and cacao plantation.

— Elaine Glusac

Tomas Munita

A tour guide on a horse pulls tourists in a boat through wetlands.

Iberá Park, Argentina

Twenty years ago, this reserve in Argentina’s northern Corrientes region wasn’t so much a park as it was tiny parcels of wilderness surrounded by cattle ranches. That’s when the Rewilding Argentina foundation and Tompkins Conservation, created by the North Face co-founder Douglas Tompkins and his wife, Kris, the former chief executive of Patagonia, stepped in and began buying land. Today, Iberá Park is one of the largest in Argentina, close to 2 million acres of protected grasslands, lagoons, islands and wetlands — and a sanctuary for huge populations of animals. Now the Rewilding Argentina foundation, funded by tourism and a consortium of philanthropists around the world has saved dozens of species from extinction here, notably jaguars, giant anteaters and giant river otters, and has become a refuge for marsh deer, maned wolves, rheas, grassland birds and the aptly named — and endangered — strange-tailed tyrants. Tourism and infrastructure are strictly managed, and staying in one of the park’s campgrounds directly supports the foundation, continuing the cycle of conservation.

— Danielle Pergament

Alentejo Wine Region

Marcus Westberg for The New York Times

Map of Alentejo Wine Region, Portugal

Alentejo Wine Region, Portugal

Alentejo has most of the elements required for wine production: sun, soil, native grape varieties and a centuries-old winemaking legacy. What does it lack? Rain. Global warming has increasingly threatened this arid region known for warm and full-bodied reds, so in 2015, the area created the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Program . By prioritizing water conservation, with measures like developing cover crops for water retention and creating ponds to collect rainwater, the program has helped wineries reduce their average water consumption by 20 percent; some that were using 14 liters of water to produce 1 liter of wine have decreased their needs to 6 liters of water. While upcoming projects include an online calculator for members to measure their carbon and water footprints, the program in 2020 created a certification process to further verify that wineries are following green initiatives. These wineries include Herdade de Coelheiros , a verdant estate with a walnut orchard, a cork forest and a herd of sheep — an organic solution for weed control.

The Lucayan Archipelago

The bahamas, turks and caicos.

Caine Delacy

A shark underwater.

The Lucayan Archipelago, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos

Consider — without fear — the shark. In the last 50 years, global populations have declined by more than 70 percent . Industrial-scale fishing hauls them in by accident. Some cultures have an appetite for them. And yet sharks, one researcher has said , are the “white blood cells” of the seas, cleaning sick, dying and dead animals from the waters. The good news is that efforts are underway to support sharks — even in the turquoise waters off some of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean. In 2011, the Bahamas established the Bahamas Shark Sanctuary , the first of its kind in the Atlantic Ocean. Now it’s calling itself the “ shark diving capital of the world .” During the pandemic, Turks and Caicos — which, along with the Bahamas, forms part of the Lucayan Archipelago, an important shark habitat — began its own shark preservation effort, with help from the Caribbean Shark Coalition . Researchers have been tagging sharks in the waters off the tiny islands, gathering data that will assist Turks and Caicos, which has already prohibited most shark fishing, to establish further protections.

— Nina Burleigh

Maria Mavropoulou for The New York Times

A view of the island, with the hot springs at the historic Thermae Sylla Spa hotel visible.

Evia, Greece

The Other Human food pantry was established more than 10 years ago, serving Athens, Thessaloniki and the island of Evia in the wake of Greece’s financial crisis. As the country recovers from last year’s wildfires and floods, The Other Human has expanded to help those who lost their livelihoods, and welcomes travelers to get involved. At weekly food drives held in Evia’s capital, Chalkida, meals are cooked and eaten together to establish a sense of community. Volunteers are invited to help cook, pack hampers with food and essentials, and contribute funds to rebuild schools and aid locals with essential bills. Lost in the fires were homes, businesses, olive groves and one third of Evia’s beloved pine forest, which generations had relied upon for resin and honey. Increasing tourism is vital for the economic recovery of this island a short trip from Athens. In addition to community projects, visitors will find a hilltop acropolis and other archaeological sites in Eretria, mineral-rich thermal springs in Edipsos and showstopper sunsets, with the Aegean Sea as a backdrop.

— Caterina Hrysomallis

Cobscook Shores

Chris Shane

Trees with leaves turning yellow, and picnic bench facing a lake.

Cobscook Shores, Maine

“Vacationland,” as Maine calls itself, thrives on the allure of its craggy coast and woodlands, and attracted more than 3 million visitors in the first nine months of 2021 to coastal Acadia National Park alone. Navigate 95 miles northeast near Lubec to find a new park that aims to ease overtourism: Cobscook Shores . Comprising 15 blocks of land spread primarily across three Down East peninsulas, Cobscook offers undeveloped beaches, coves and bluffs that can be reached by hiking trails and biking paths, as well as channels to be explored by paddlers. Just five backcountry campsites offer opportunities to stay overnight in the reserve, but there are more sites at nearby Cobscook Bay State Park , and the Inn on the Wharf in Lubec offers accommodations in a renovated sardine factory. The philanthropist Gilbert Butler, a conservationist who has invested in preserving natural areas from the Adirondacks to Patagonia, created the 780-acre Cobscook Shores, amplified by thousands of surrounding acres managed by state and federal entities and private conservation groups.

Christopher Miller

Aerial view of islands and mountains.

Hoonah, Alaska

Once dependent on fishing and logging, Hoonah , about 20 miles south of Glacier Bay on the Inside Passage, now relies on cruise tourism, not just for its livelihood but also for its cultural continuity. The community, which is half Huna Tlingit, is counting on a robust return to sustainable tourism in 2022, having recently introduced a second ship dock at its cruise port, Icy Strait Point , a half-mile from the original to prevent overcrowding. Additionally, the Native-owned Huna Totem Corporation, which runs tourism operations for the town on behalf of its 760 residents, built a gondola system to shuttle passengers in eight-person aerial cabins, which can handle 5,600 riders an hour, eliminating up to 100 exhaust-emitting buses. Bear- and whale-watching excursions underscore the community’s reverence for nature, and by next April, the gondola system will reach the top of Huna Mountain, with its hiking trails and views of Chichagof Island and the Tongass National Forest. Locals credit visitors’ interest in Native culture with the revival of the Indigenous language and local art.

Waiter stands at a table of diners inside a restaurant.

Cleveland, Ohio

Dinner isn’t usually part of the prisoner re-entry system, but at EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute in Cleveland’s Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood, the mission is larger than braised artichokes and Burgundy snails: The aim is to teach former prisoners a new trade. Founded by Brandon Chrostowski, a classically trained chef, EDWINS includes a fine-dining French restaurant, bakery, butcher and event space, all open to the public. The campus has a test kitchen, apartments and basketball courts, and EDWINS continues to buy and refurbish buildings in the underserved neighborhood (a culinary class is available on closed-circuit tablets in prisons throughout the country). The institute helps former inmates get a place to live rent-free (relocation fees are paid in part by the Cleveland Browns football team), a driver’s license, legal counseling and health care. “It’s not just about a wonderful restaurant, it’s not just about re-entry,” said Councilman Blaine Griffin of Cleveland. “This is social entrepreneurship at its best.”

Clara Tuma for The New York Times

Ski gondola arriving at Pointe Helbronner over a snow-covered mountain range.

Courmayeur, Italy

This charming town at the foot of Mont Blanc, in a historically French-speaking region of Italy, has long made an effort to strike a balance between tourism and conservation. Decades before overtourism became alarming, Courmayeur began limiting access in the summer to its two high valleys, Val Veny and Val Ferret, with a fixed number of private cars and a separate quota for those with reservations at one of the local inns, known for their polenta concia — creamy polenta with local fontina cheese. Some days, private cars are banned altogether , and in the winter both valleys become ski slopes. The cable car that carries visitors to Mont Blanc, a breathtaking experience, uses energy from renewable sources . But it takes more than a village to stop the global warming threatening Mont Blanc and its many glaciers. One of them, Planpincieux, has been declared in danger of collapse . Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, so visitors should follow warnings to avoid some routes — or the entire area — when risk is deemed too high.

Red River Delta

Justin Mott for The New York Times

Artisan Nguyen Huu Hoa at his home in Dong Ho Painting Village with a stack of traditional folk paintings.

Red River Delta, Vietnam

Once travel begins to normalize, tourists will undoubtedly flock to Vietnam’s world-famous beaches and dynamic megacities. But head north to the traditional villages of the Red River Delta, and you can immerse yourself in centuries-old cultural practices and a way of life that is at risk of disappearing. Since ancient times, villagers along the Cau River in northern Vietnam have sung Quan họ, a call-and-response folk music style performed by alternating all-female and all-male duets from neighboring villages that was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage practice in 2009 . In the decade since, 49 ancient villages in Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang provinces have taken measures to safeguard the cultural heritage of Quan h ọ — which includes countless rituals celebrating culinary traditions — and to address rural-urban migration through cultural tourism. Hanoi-based tour operators like Vietnamstay and Khoa Viet Travel offer travelers a chance to explore the villages’ Buddhist temples, craft communes, Ly Dynasty pagodas and waterways while helping to preserve the past.

— Charly Wilder

South Africa

Joao Silva/The New York Times

Guests in a vehicle take pictures of a pride of lions during a game drive in the reserve.

South Africa,

After nearly two years of restricted travel and the recent detection of the Omicron coronavirus variant, South Africa’s many outstanding wildlife reserves and conservation projects are badly in need of support. Lockdowns caused a 96 percent drop in visits to South Africa’s national parks, jeopardizing the efforts of places like iSimangaliso Wetland Park , an 800,000-acre UNESCO World Heritage site on the country’s eastern coast. Home to elephants, leopards, lions, rhinos and whales, iSimangaliso also supports more than 12,000 jobs and an environmental education program involving 150 schools. Visitors can keep it classic and track the “Big Five” — elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions and leopards — on safari at some of the country’s approximately 500 private game reserves, like Kariega and Manyeleti . Or they can go a step further and volunteer to monitor biodiversity with the Endangered Wildlife Trust at Medike Nature Reserve in the Soutpansberg Mountains, or help save the dazzling aquatic life and octopus teachers that inhabit the Great African Seaforest , the planet’s only forest of giant bamboo kelp.

Uttarakhand

Poras Chaudhary for The New York Times

Colorful town of Gopeshwar sits on the side of a mountain range.

Uttarakhand, India

In northern India , along the Tibetan border, the Himalayas soar to 25,000 feet and paths wander by misty waterfalls, ancient temples and through rhododendron forests. But those paths can be deadly, especially to local men who drink too much and tumble to their deaths. In 2009, Poonam Rawat-Hahne, a social justice activist with ties to the region, learned of the tragedy of those left behind. Ms. Rawat-Hahne was inspired to start a nonprofit called the Bachan Charitable Trust , which has a sustainable-travel arm called Fernweh Fair Travel that’s based on a simple idea: Train widows and survivors of domestic violence to offer homestays, cook for visitors and be guides. Fernweh brings a maximum of eight groups of no more than 10 people a year to villages like Gopeshwar , Mandal and Chopta, where travelers can do yoga, take cooking lessons and hike among the wild orchids of the nearby Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary . Visitors stay in cabins, village homes and, soon, a new eco-retreat in Koteshwar . Funds support environmental and educational programs in at least nine villages; a group buying just one meal from a widow will support her for months. “This is not mass tourism,” Ms. Rawat-Hahne says. “This is empowerment.”

— Tim Neville

Fogo Island

Newfoundland, canada.

Alex Fradkin

A corner of Fogo Island Inn, with a view of the water and mountains in the background.

Fogo Island, Newfoundland, Canada

In 1992, Newfoundland’s moratorium on cod fishing decimated fishing villages along the region’s Atlantic coast, including Fogo Island, a granite outpost of stilt-supported fishing shacks and saltbox cottages. But the arrival of the angular and arresting Fogo Island Inn in 2013 changed the island’s fortunes, as intended by its founder, the Fogo native Zita Cobb. Nine years later, the population has stabilized and more than 70 new businesses have opened, along with a dozen food producers. Now there are lodging alternatives to the inn (where rates start at over 2,500 Canadian dollars, or about $2,000, a night), including vacation homes with names like Aunt Glady’s from The Old Salt Box Co. , and cottages from Escape by the Sea . In summer, after summiting bald Brimstone Head, one of the island’s highest points, or watching birds or icebergs, fuel up at Scoff , run by former cooks at the inn, or Bangbelly Café . The strong arts-and-crafts scene, including galleries such as Fogo Clay Studio , attests to the power of tourism to sustain a community.

The Great Highway

San francisco.

Beth Coller for The New York Times

Map of The Great Highway, San Francisco

The Great Highway, San Francisco

Most pandemic-related shutdowns were disruptive reactions to a disease-dominated world, but many people across the U.S. welcomed one exception: prohibiting car traffic on city streets. In San Francisco, the street shutdowns included a two-mile stretch on the city’s far western edge known as the Great Highway. The throughway became a destination, a beach-front promenade flanking the raw expanse of Ocean Beach, and a community center — friends met up for walks, local children learned to ride bikes, and everything “popped up,” from street art to protests and trick-or-treating . But opponents took issue, with claims of increased traffic, limited access for older people and the disabled, and general inconvenience. In an uneasy compromise, city officials reopened the highway to traffic Monday to Friday. Still, on weekends, the Great Highway has become a unique destination — in a city full of them — to take in San Francisco’s wild Pacific Ocean coastline by foot, bike, skates or scooter, sample food trucks and explore local cafes , restaurants , record stores , bookstores and more. It’s also a telling microcosm of the ways in which our cities, and our values, shifted during the pandemic.

— Lauren Sloss

Shutterstock

Cherry blossom flowers in bloom in front of a traditional wooden machiya building in Gion district, Kyoto.

Kyoto, Japan

Tucked between pachinko parlors and convenience stores, Kyoto’s machiya — traditional wooden townhouses, long and narrow, and often hiding courtyard gardens just beyond their latticed fronts — have been vanishing since World War II. The city has worked hard to preserve the structures: A machiya development fund was created in 2005, and the buildings were twice put on a watch list by the World Monuments Fund . To encourage their conservation, the buildings are also taxed at a lower rate than modern high-rises. But those efforts may now fall short. Teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, Kyoto is in cost-cutting — and revenue-raising — overdrive. After tourism dropped by 88 percent in 2020, some traditional neighborhoods may be threatened by commercial development. Tourism can help. Some investors have converted machiya into guesthouses, boutiques and high-end restaurants. When visitors, and their dollars, come to these properties, they send a message: The history of machiya matters to Kyoto.

— Debra Kamin

El Yunque National Forest

Puerto rico.

Panoramic view over the hills in the jungle of the El Yunque national forest in Puerto Rico.

El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest within the U.S. Forest Service’s holdings. The forest, whose name is a Spanish derivation of an Indigenous Taino word, offers one of the most diverse ecosystems in the network, with wildlife including the famed Coqui frog, the island’s unofficial symbol. Hit by the back-to-back hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, El Yunque is still recovering from the impact, and funding for everything from infrastructure to conservation has been slow to arrive. But local organizations like the nonprofit Love in Motion haven’t been waiting. Its initiatives include rebuilding the Picachos and Angelito trails (you can also swim in the natural pool along the latter); the sister organization Local Guest arranges low-impact itineraries like bird watching and hiking while community building. Stay in a locally owned property like Dos Aguas , which has been in the same family since the 1950s (currently available only as a full house rental because of Covid) or the Rainforest Inn , with a botanical garden and solar-powered electricity.

Sierra Leone

Renato Granieri

Woman sits in a chair on the balcony of an eco-lodge in the jungle.

Sierra Leone,

In the 1980s, the sandy, palm-fringed beaches of this West African country used to attract high-flying tourists from Europe and beyond. But visitors disappeared when civil war broke out in the 1990s, and today — after nearly 20 years of peace and nearly six years after an Ebola outbreak ended — most have yet to return. But this small nation has an enormous amount to offer adventurous visitors, and authorities hope that tourism will be a more sustainable resource than diamonds or gold. Visitors who make the trip can spend the night in a jungly eco-lodge at the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (your stay supports the sanctuary’s work); enjoy a cold beer and fresh lobster on the beaches of the Western Peninsula; learn about a painful chapter in history on a tour of the ruined slave fort on Bunce Island ; and make the three- or four-day expedition to the top of 6,381-foot Mount Bintumani , the country’s highest peak.

— Paige McClanahan

Andreas Meichsner for The New York Times

Chef Ana Roš prepares several starters in the kitchen at Hiša Franko

Slovenia wants to cook for you, because the June 2020 launch of the first Michelin guide devoted to its restaurants was a source of national pride. It validated the way this central European country of just over 2 million people has been putting environmentally responsible travel and its good food and wines at the heart of its identity as a desirable destination for travelers since it became independent 30 years ago. “From the very beginning, we knew our food was special and would become a major reason to visit our country,” says Ana Ros, the chef at Hiso Franko , Slovenia’s most famous restaurant and the only one with two Michelin stars. Slovenian cooking is a delicious reflection of the country’s location at a culinary crossroads between Mediterranean, Germanic and Slavic countries, but the real reason its food is so good is that it’s made with produce from the country’s small farms. Some of them, like Govc , are part of a farm-stay network the Slovenian government launched in 1992.

Emilio Parra Doiztua for The New York Times

Wind turbines of a hydroelectric plant at Gorona del Viento, with cacti in the foreground.

El Hierro, Spain

A few hundred miles off the coast of Morocco, flung out in the middle of the Atlantic, is El Hierro, the most remote — and, some say, the most charming — of the Canary Islands. It’s also a pint-size leader in renewable energy. In 2014, El Hierro opened Gorona del Viento, a power plant that uses a system of reservoirs and wind to supply the island’s electricity (wind provides power while pumping water into reservoirs; hydraulic turbines take over when the wind dies down; diesel supplies a fallback when both those sources are lacking). Recently, Gorona del Viento was able to supply the island’s 11,000 inhabitants with 100 percent renewable energy for 25 consecutive days. As the infrastructure of El Hierro plants one foot in the future, the island’s cultural identity keeps the other rooted in the past. El Hierro’s historic language, Silbo Herreño, is one of the last whistling languages in the world. When the island’s elders noticed that the Herreño whistle was dying out, the cultural association on El Hierro began offering free classes after school, at weekend markets and to the island’s shepherds (who traditionally communicate by whistling).

Summerland Peninsula

Asanka Brendon Ratnayake for The New York Times

Map of Summerland Peninsula, Australia

Summerland Peninsula, Australia

Every evening on Phillip Island, a throng of tiny penguins emerges from the surf, waddling up toward nests that dot Summerland Beach. The penguin parade, as it’s known, is a sight that has garnered attention since the 1920s, when visitors began flocking to this island in southeastern Australia for a chance to see the world’s smallest penguin breed (adults average just 13 inches tall) up close as they head home after a day of fishing. For a time, the crowds that gathered for the nightly ritual caused problems for the penguin colony, as did the cars, pets and construction that accompanied a nearby neighborhood, Summerland Estates. Today, however, this piece of land is a remarkable ecological success story. In 1985, the state government implemented a plan to buy every piece of property on the peninsula and return the land to its natural state — and to its original inhabitants, the tiny penguins. The process was completed in 2010, and the penguin population now sits at around 35,000 breeding-aged birds, up from 12,000 in the 1980s. In 2019, a new $58 million visitor center opened to the public; it includes educational elements and a restaurant where you can sit and watch what is now the largest colony of the world’s smallest penguin.

— Besha Rodell

Dana Biosphere Reserve

Daniel Rodrigues

A hiker stands in a patch of sunlight surrounded on the Oasis of the Wadi Ghuweir Trail.

Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan

Perched on a cliff overlooking the central valley of Jordan’s largest nature reserve stand the quaint Ottoman-era stone houses of Dana Village. Once abandoned by the Ata-ta tribe, the settlement is being brought back to life through an ecotourism project that aims to preserve the area’s biodiversity by empowering local communities. Many of the 15th-century houses have been converted into eco-lodges with terraced gardens and orchards, creating an oasis above the desert plains below. Along the village’s cobbled streets, local women sell handcrafted jewelry and homemade jams produced from fruits grown in their orchards. Dana Village marks the start of the nine-mile Wadi Dana hiking trail that spans the reserve and its flora and fauna. The reserve is home to 833 plant species and several endangered bird species, as well as archaeological ruins from the Byzantine, Nabatean and Roman periods, including the ancient copper mines in Wadi Faynan.

— Ceylan Yeginsu

The Netherlands

A canal with a small bridge in the foreground, lined with trees and brick houses on a cloudy day.

Gouda, The Netherlands

In 2019, the Dutch tourism board made the surprising announcement it would stop promoting travel to the Netherlands. Because of overtourism, it would also shift to encouraging visitors to consider the country beyond Amsterdam and to travel more sustainably. A charming example of a Dutch destination that ticks these boxes is Gouda, a small historic city in the south. Internationally renowned for its namesake cheese, which has been produced there since 1184 and is one of the world’s 10 most popular cheeses, Gouda is an ideal base for a car-free visit to the Netherlands. An extensive system of well-marked bicycle routes (with charging stations for e-bikes) makes it easy to explore the city and surrounding region. The new 25-room Weeshuis Gouda hotel occupies a beautifully renovated 16th-century orphanage. Visit the new Gouda Cheese Experience , which opened in June 2020 in a butter-yellow former 19th-century military barracks, for a tasting of artisanal aged cheeses.

Danish students sit in front of a window during a visit at the Thy National Park Visitor Center.

Thy, Denmark

If Denmark has a final frontier, it’s Thy. Silent dunes, tangled forests and near-mythic gales make this region in northwest Jutland about as far away from Copenhagen as you can get. Thy is an epicenter for wind energy — around 50 percent of Denmark’s electricity in 2020 was powered by wind and solar — and those interested in learning more about wind turbines and renewable initiatives can visit the Østerild test facility’s visitor center . The wind also shaped Thy’s coastline, where the wryly named Cold Hawaii surf community rides the curving shore’s distinctive swells. Not to be missed is the sprawling Thy National Park , rippling with dunes, meadows, marshes and lakes, big and small, and its new visitor center in Nørre Vorupør, uniquely designed to gently fold into the sandy landscape. The Thy wilderness is also folded into food and drink: Enjoy beer spiced with bog myrtle from Thisted Bryghus , fresh catch from the fish auction at Medvind and the “National Park platter” at Stenbjerg Kro .

The Red Sea Mountain Trail

Sima Diab for The New York Times

Trail co-founder Ben Hoffler and guide Mostafa Abo Alfadl walk through Wadi Abo Elhassan.

The Red Sea Mountain Trail, Egypt

For centuries, pastoral nomads in Egypt’s Eastern Desert traversed this arid region by a network of pathways over granite ranges, across barren valleys and through colorful canyons. Now the Ma’aza tribe has revived the ancient footpaths to create the long-distance Red Sea Mountain Trail . The 100-mile trail opened a few months before the pandemic shut the world down, and now its founders are hoping to organize the first through hike later this year. Meanwhile, the Ma’aza tribe offers day hikes through separate sections of this astonishing wilderness, hemmed between the Nile River and the Red Sea. All hikes are led by Bedouins. On the trek to Jebel Abul Hassan, hikers find themselves in a magical narrowing gorge flanked by pink and black granite walls. The hike up the sheer slopes of Wadi El Gattar reveals stone hermit cells built by early Christians fleeing the Romans, and primitive rock art from long before then. It’s the ultimate sustainable tourism project: the water drawn from wells, the flat bread baked in campfires, and the Bedouin legends, traditions and knowledge of the terrain preserved for future generations.

— Patrick Scott

Little Calumet River

Rudy Schultz/Openlands

A teenager and woman paddling a canoe on the water.

Little Calumet River, Chicago

In the Calumet region of Southeast Chicago, interest in the area’s nearly two centuries of African American heritage is flourishing alongside a new marine trail. Established by the urban conservation organization Openlands and community partners, the seven-mile African American Heritage Water Trail aims to tell the story of the Little Calumet River and those connected to it throughout history, like freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad who found shelter at Ton Farm, owned by Dutch immigrants. Paddle by canoe or kayak to the trail’s other key sites, including Chicago’s Finest Marina, one of the oldest Black-owned marinas in the area, and the Major Taylor Trail Bridge, named after the African American cyclist legend. And history isn’t the only draw for visitors: Thanks to initiatives by Audubon Great Lakes and other conservation groups, more marsh bird species are returning to this restored wetland area.

The Inner Hebrides

A view across Lussa Bay, with a red telephone booth in front of a stone building on the right.

The Inner Hebrides, Scotland

These islands along Scotland’s west coast are known for their wild, secluded beauty: fields of wildflowers, solitary beaches, ever-swirling seas. They’re also known for producing some of the world’s best single-malt whisky. Now, several new energy initiatives are helping to make the region — and its distilleries, which are largely reliant on fossil fuels — more eco-friendly. This year, the Bruichladdich Distillery, founded in 1881, is starting a pilot project on the island of Islay to begin using hydrogen fuel, in addition to fuel oil, to power its stills. According to the company, the zero-emission boiler, which will generate some of the steam required for distillation, will be the first of its kind in Britain. Plans are also underway to build new underwater wind turbines in the waters around Islay and Jura, a neighboring island, beginning in 2023. Those, too, could one day contribute to powering the islands and their distilleries, bringing an age-old industry — and the many tourists it draws — into a more sustainable future.

— Jenny Gross

Gil Giuglio

Two cyclists ride through a lush, tree-lined road.

Normandy, France

Claude Monet’s paintings of Normandy’s moody Atlantic coast could now have another element: a bicycle path, winding in the distance. New bike routes in the region include the 932-mile Vélomaritime , which starts south in Brittany, travels along the shore of the English Channel and ends at the Belgian border. Along the way, Mont-Saint-Michel rises out of the water and World War II’s D-Day landing beaches beckon. The Vélomaritime is one of the newer trails making up the EuroVelo , a bike network that aims to unite the European continent. The new 260-mile La Seine à Vélo , with a focus on promoting environmentally friendly bicycle tourism and connecting with local communities, embarks from Notre-Dame in Paris and follows the Seine to the Normandy coast, through sun-dappled countryside. La Seine à Vélo’s final stretch swoops through the area of Pays d’Auge, the cradle of Camembert, Calvados and cider.

Benjamin Rasmussen for The New York Times

Two skiiers backcountry skiing uphill through snow.

Estes Park, Colorado

Climate change has diminished snow and made for spottier ski seasons in many destinations. Skiers aiming to shrink their carbon footprint can turn to a ski town with no ski lifts: Estes Park , the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park , about 65 miles north of Denver. The town’s original ski area, Hidden Valley , opened in 1955 in the park but closed in 1991 because it couldn’t compete with larger areas’ snow-making capabilities. Now, with runs still cut into the mountain, it attracts backcountry skiers who champion its powder with a “no pain, no altitude gain” attitude. Those new to backcountry skiing can learn how to uphill and descend safely with a course from the local Kent Mountain Adventure Center . Rewilding Expeditions offers more unmechanized recreation, including camping and snowshoe tours, and private tours led by Yellow Wood Guiding focus on wildlife and photography. Toast your adventures aprés-ski with an Altruism amber from Estes’ Rock Cut Brewing Company , which donates $1 of every Altruism beer sold to local organizations and nonprofits.

Kunta Kinteh Island

Shutterstock/Damian Pankowiec

The ruins on Kunta Kinteh Island.

Kunta Kinteh Island, Gambia

Kunta Kinteh Island, a speck of land near the mouth of the Gambia River, was a key site in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Formerly called James Island and used for hundreds of years as a staging ground for the transport of enslaved people, the island, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site , was renamed in recent years after a character in Alex Haley’s best-selling book “Roots.” Now, because of heavy erosion and rising seas, the island is at risk of being lost altogether. Its ruins — including the cramped quarters where men and women were confined before being sent across the Atlantic — have been partly protected, but only a fraction of the island’s land mass remains, the rest having been reclaimed by the surrounding water. Local tour guides can be hired to explain the island’s history , and a small cruise company runs annual river trips into Gambia , giving guests the opportunity to donate to a school and film festival the company founded deeper inland.

A scenic route along the Gradini del Petraio, overlooking the city and the Gulf of Naples.

Naples, Italy

See Naples and die, they say, meaning that this Mediterranean beauty should be on everyone’s bucket list. But sadly, Naples faces a precarious future. Without intervention, this densely populated city is expected to experience 55 days of extreme heat per year by 2049 and 93 days by 2081, according to a recent report . The good news is that some locals are rolling up their sleeves. A group of residents in the working-class neighborhood of San Giovanni a Teduccio has set up a “ fair energy” community to provide free, clean electricity to families living below the poverty line, with a system of 166 solar panels. Local authorities encourage tourists to visit the city by foot , taking tours across Naples’s fabled stairways . The Pedamentina , a scenic route tracing it roots to the 14th century and consisting of paved descents and more than 400 steps, cannot be missed.

Höga Kusten

Tommie Svanström Ohlson & ARKNAT

A sculptural hut sits atop a vista of a forest.

Höga Kusten, Sweden

Swedes have long sought solitude in the untamed northern region known as Höga Kusten, or the High Coast, for its dramatic cliffs and pristine archipelago. With more than 100 nature preserves, a national park and hundreds of miles of trails, this wilderness refuge is a draw for hikers, cross-country skiers and mountaineers seeking less-trodden paths, stunning vistas and uncrowded campsites. A dedication to sustainable tourism, including a pledge to make the area carbon-neutral by 2030, promises to protect the future of the coast, its beautiful lakes and its old-growth forests. Last summer, new electric buses began ferrying hikers from nearby towns to the park’s entrance. To inspire hikers to appreciate the surrounding nature, the ArkNat architecture project has built several sculptural huts along the trails.

— Ingrid K. Williams

Gabriela Herman

Street scene from the town square in Humboldt.

Humboldt, Kansas

In 2016, a group of Kansas locals who had left decades ago began asking themselves, “What would it take to move back home?” The answer lay in tiny Humboldt, two hours southwest of Kansas City with a population of fewer than 2,000 people. With the support of the local community, the group established an organization, A Bolder Humboldt, to revitalize rural living, with the town becoming an unexpected and affordable oasis of cool surrounded by fields of wheat and soybeans. A Bolder Humboldt has already opened shops, community gardens and co-working spaces, with a boutique hotel, a honky-tonk bar and a bookstore all in the works. Outdoor movies are screened on the town square, and the whole town participates in an annual water fight. Base Camp is a collection of lakeside rental cabins at the edge of town, and cyclists can ride a 60-mile trail to nearby Lawrence and the University of Kansas. Humboldt is betting these elevated experiences will draw both locals and tourists to the glories of the Great Plains.

— Gabriela Herman

Kieran Dodds for The New York Times

Houses along a coast, sun peeking out from behind a mountain in the background.

With its average temperatures rising faster than anywhere else on the planet , Greenland is establishing a holistic, sustainable approach to tourism that aims to be in harmony with its people, natural wilderness and 4,500-year-old Inuit culture. The world’s largest island, a Danish territory, is now directing various grants to locals, including the Inuit dog-sled tour company Greenland Dog Adventure , and offering free training and tourism degrees at Campus Kujalleq in Southern Greenland. Also in Southern Greenland: Greenland Trees . For more than a decade, this nonprofit — in a region sheltered from the island’s traditional stormy weather — has planted thousands of trees to offset carbon emissions , and future plans include building a greenhouse to cultivate seedlings and restoring land at a former military base. Volunteers are welcomed to help plant trees and enjoy Greenland off the beaten path. Here visitors can see Norse ruins — the area is a UNESCO World Heritage site , for Norse and Indigenous culture — and experience the aurora borealis, with few others blocking the view.

— Daniel Scheffler

Mallory Solomon

A woman stands in a colorful pink and orange outdoor room.

Marrakesh, Morocco

While women in Morocco have been granted some additional rights in the past two decades, the country recently ranked 144th (out of 156 countries) in a World Economic Forum study of gender parity. Fortunately, entrepreneurs are creating foundations, cooperatives, shops and restaurants to employ, educate and empower Moroccan women. Since many are in Marrakesh, a trip to this “Jewel of the South” offers an opportunity for visitors to help. The Al Kawtar boutique, stocked with clothing, bags and other textiles sewn by disabled women, also operates a home where the women live and receive care. For carpets, consider visiting the atelier of Salam Hello , which is devoted to paying weavers — mostly rural women — a fair wage and using profits to assist them. Come lunch or dinner, a traditional Moroccan meal — tagine, couscous, fruit salad — at an Amal restaurant provides direct assistance to disadvantaged women and helps finance a nonprofit association that trains women in culinary skills. Finally, when it’s time to sleep, consider Peacock Pavilions . The luxury resort, located in an olive grove outside of Marrakesh, is owned by the creators of Project Soar , which provides education and leadership training to teen girls.

— Seth Sherwood

New Zealand

Northland NZ

Ngawha Springs at sunset.

Northland, New Zealand

According to Māori legend, the North Island of New Zealand was an enormous fish, caught by the demigod Māui , and now the forested region of Northland is known as “the tail of the fish.” Endless cultural lessons await travelers here. At the newly redeveloped Ngawha Springs , where the people of Ngapuhi came to replenish their wairua, or spirit, visitors can soak in dozens of mineral-rich geothermal pools to alleviate pain and repair common ailments. Also reopening is the cultural and educational center Te Ahurea, which includes an interactive pā or settlement site highlighting the history and traditions of the Hongi, Rewa and Tāreha Māori Indigeneous peoples. For day tours, the Māori-owned and -operated Tu Tika Tours organizes private adventures that reveal local customs through storytelling, welcome ceremonies, singing, weaving and cuisine. And to rest your head, the secluded eco-retreat Tahi offers luxury while boasting of giving 100 percent of its profits back to local conservation, culture and community.

Vancouver Island

British columbia, canada.

Serena Renner

A lush, green, old-growth rainforest.

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Long a destination for adventurers eager to surf Tofino or watch for orcas or humpback whales , Vancouver Island has recently been the center of a controversy around one of British Columbia’s few remaining patches of old-growth rainforest. These complex ecosystems, which remove and store significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, are in increasingly short supply — an argument demonstrators are using against loggers as they try to protect Douglas firs and yellow cedars in the island’s Fairy Creek forest on Pacheedaht First Nation territory. While the fight rages on and Fairy Creek remains inaccessible, the wonderland of Cascadian rainforest can be explored at MacMillan Provincial Park , Pacific Rim National Park Reserve or the UNESCO-protected Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve . Experiencing old-growth forests while we still can is an affecting way to better understand what’s at stake, and what we stand to lose.

Elijio Panti National Park

Robert Rausch for The New York Times

Map of Elijio Panti National Park, Belize

Elijio Panti National Park, Belize

Since gaining its independence in 1981, Belize has long prioritized the conservation of its lands and waters. At a park near the country’s western border with Guatemala, those conservation efforts extend to cultural and floral realms, too. Elijio Panti National Park, a lush, 13,006-acre oasis, is one of only a handful of parks in Belize that’s comanaged by a Maya community. The park takes its name from Don Elijio Panti, a renowned Maya healer who worked from a small hut a couple of miles from the park’s entrance. A series of medicine trails display the names and uses of the nearly 100 native plants — like balsam and gumbo-limbo — that Mr. Panti foraged here. “The day we forget how to use our medicinal plants is the day we go extinct,” said Maria Garcia, Mr. Panti’s niece, who inherited her uncle’s interest in herbal medicine and serves as one of the park’s stewards. Nearby hotels have begun highlighting the park as an attraction; at GAIA Riverlodge , guests can sign up for a five-hour guided tour led by a local shaman.

— Alex Schechter

Palm trees in front of the Revere Quality House after sunset.

Sarasota, Florida

Architecture Sarasota is a new organization founded to protect and promote the most spectacular concentration of modernist buildings east of the Mississippi. In a booming city on Florida’s Gulf Coast, where there’s a constant tug of war between developers and preservationists, raising the profile of these modernist buildings is intended to give them greater value in the eyes of locals and attract design tourists, says Anne-Marie Russell, the organization’s executive director. The buildings were the work of architects in what was known as the Sarasota School of Architecture, which emerged during the 1940s and ran through the mid-1960s. Among the best-known architects were Paul Rudolph and his partner Ralph Twitchell, Philip Hiss, Gene Leedy, Carl Abbott, Victor Lundy and Jack West. “Our hope is the Sarasota School’s innovative sensitivity to climate and environmental concerns will spur innovative and sustainable design here today,” Ms. Russell said. Architecture Sarasota organizes guided visits to and private stays at some of the best modernist houses and runs an annual MOD Weekend of tours, exhibits and similar events.

Vanuatu Tourism Office/David Kirkland

Four people sit on a boat floating on a freshwater pool.

Visitors to Vanuatu’s alluring swimming holes insist that each one is a slightly different shade of blue — some are an intense turquoise, others are sapphire. After diving into these natural freshwater pools, surrounded by lush foliage, travelers will find remarkable water clarity, even 60 feet down. The pools have been off-limits to visitors from abroad since March 2020 , when this collection of around 80 islands, scattered across an 800-mile arc of the South Pacific, shut its borders to protect itself from the coronavirus. The plan is to reopen when more residents are vaccinated.The archipelago, which some liken to Bali or Fiji 40 years ago, because it has yet to reckon with overdevelopment, is also confronting a crisis beyond the pandemic. Along with consistently ranking among the happiest nations out there, Vanuatu is the most disaster-prone country in the world , and climate change is contributing to those disasters, which include cyclones and sea level rise . This tiny country of around 300,000 people is now leading the fight to get the International Court of Justice to issue a legal opinion on countries’ obligations to each other to take action to slow climate change. Addressing this currently unresolved area of international law could influence policies not only in Vanuatu, but everywhere we travel.

— Heather Murphy

Santa Cruz County

Surrounded by redwood trees, two hikers walk through the Redwood Grove Loop Trail.

Santa Cruz County, California

In 2020, wildfires across California threatened some of the world’s oldest forests, including at Big Basin Redwoods and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Thankfully, most of the parks’ mighty redwoods survived the flames, and now hope — in the form of expanded green initiatives — is dawning across Santa Cruz County. While Henry Cowell is open, as is a small section of Big Basin, with more ambitious rebuilding planned, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County is developing new hiking trails, including in the 8,500-acre San Vicente Redwoods. On the North Coast, the Cotoni-Coast Dairies , a recent addition to the California Coastal National Monument , is slated to open within the next year, with nearly 6,000 acres of coastal terraces, redwood forests and sweeping views of the Pacific. The area’s designation as a national monument will help protect its rich ecology and cultural history, including ancestral sites of the Indigenous Cotoni people.

Serra da Capivara National Park

A stone arch peeking above trees at Pedra Furada.

Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil

Sure, it’s the dramatic mesas and canyons of northeastern Brazil’s caatinga, or cactusy shrub lands, that first catch the eye. But what distinguishes this national park from countless other breathtaking Brazilian landscapes are the archaeological and artistic remains of ancient humans who many researchers believe arrived more than 20,000 years ago. The now 88-year-old French-Brazilian archaeologist Niède Guidon first documented the exuberant red ocher cave drawings depicting hunters, prey, revelers and play in the 1960s. Her team unearthed archaeological finds that called into question previous theories on how humans reached the Americas; the area became a national park in 1979, added the Museum of American Man in 1986 and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. The Museum of Nature, opened in 2018, brought a record 30,000 visitors to the park the next year. The pandemic slowed momentum but not progress: New archaeological sites were prepared for visitation, new visitor bathrooms were installed, and most notably, an impressive 200-foot enclosed ladder up a steep cliff face opened in October, allowing safer and far faster visitor access to a popular panoramic viewpoint.

— Seth Kugel

Saguaro National Park

John Burcham for The New York Times

Saguaro cacti at sunset.

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Saguaro National Park, whose two parcels sit on either side of Tucson, is home to almost 2 million of the tall, multi-limbed cactuses for which it is named. For decades it has delighted visitors with hiking trails, archaeological sites and epic vistas. But climate change is now threatening the very cactuses that have made the park an iconic destination. Rising temperatures, along with more frequent — and hotter — wildfires, are curbing the growth of new saguaro. A National Park Service report found that out of 10,000 cactuses, only 70 were less than 11 to 15 years old, a disturbing trend that puts the future of the cactus population in the park at risk. To help mitigate the effects of wildfires, the park launched an eradication program targeting buffelgrass , an invasive species that is drought-resistant and provides an outsize amount of wildfire fuel. The park has also organized monthly buffelgrass pulls, where teams of volunteers spend four hours digging up and disposing of the invasive species. Put on hold during the pandemic, the group pulls are slated to begin again early this year . Officials are also planning to begin a program where visitors can “adopt” specific areas of the park and pick buffelgrass on their own time.

— Daniel Tepper

A view of Cies Islands from Pedra da Campa.

Islas Cíes, Spain

Even before the pandemic, the Islas Cíes off Spain’s Galician coast had long limited the number of daily visitors — 1,800, in high season — to protect its environment and guard against overtourism. This verdant archipelago, part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park , is a vision of protected biodiversity: flourishing nature preserves, teeming marine life and robust colonies of seabirds. The strict conservation efforts include restrictions against cars, hotels and noise, and ensure that only in designated areas can visitors explore long, curving beaches, snorkel through clear waters and hike trails that wind toward picturesque lighthouses. The delight continues at night: Ink-black starry skies have earned a Starlight designation for limited light pollution. Island ferries depart from Galicia’s Rías Baixas region, with highlights that include misty albariño vineyards, Pontevedra’s old town, and Vigo and its Calle de las Ostras, where you can slurp up fresh oysters at outdoor wooden tables.

Joann Pai for The New York Times

For people riding an escalator down in Monte-Carlo.

Monaco’s gilded reputation shimmers worldwide, but these days the principality’s glow is unequivocally green. The sovereign city-state on the French Riviera has an ambitious plan to cut its carbon emissions by 55 percent before 2030 and turn carbon-neutral by 2050. Its sustainability efforts are driven by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, a global charity prioritizing environmental action that was established in 2006. Sixteen years later, evidence of the principality’s initiatives is visible (and enjoyable) in the 0.76-square-mile enclave. It has a robust network of electric cars, bikes and hybrid buses, and a solar-powered water taxi that transports people with ease. Strollable public parks and gardens make up 20 percent of Monaco (where escalators help with the climbs), while snorkeling is the activity du jour off Larvotto Beach , where sea life thrives amid 3-D printed reefs, submerged roughly 60 feet below the water’s surface to restore habitats damaged by human activity. The locally based company Terrae takes urban gardening and farming to new heights, populating rooftops and balconies, and supplying residents and restaurants, including Michelin-starred Blue Bay . Meanwhile, the Distillery of Monaco produces bitter orange liqueur and gin, flavored with citrus from trees in Monaco and nearby villages.

— Kimberley Lovato

Bronzeville

Kevin Miyazaki for The New York Times

A statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. faces a street lined with shops.

Bronzeville, Milwaukee

At times overshadowed by its namesake neighborhood in Chicago, Milwaukee’s Bronzeville district is again distinguishing itself as a center of African American culture. From 1910 to the 1950s, the area buzzed with Black-owned businesses, but it was decimated by “urban renewal” projects that razed thriving Black neighborhoods across America. Today’s Bronzeville is supported by about $400 million of redevelopment funds from organizations like the Historic King Drive BID , P3 Development Group and Maures Development Group (all led by people of color). Symbolic of this reinvigoration is the reopening this year of America’s Black Holocaust Museum . Founded in 1988 by Dr. James Cameron, the only known survivor of a lynching, the museum attracted visitors from around the world before closing in 2008 when it lost funding during the recession. On Feb. 25, the museum will reopen in a 10,000-square-foot space that takes visitors on a journey through more than 4,500 years of African and African American history. Nearby, businesses like Gee’s Clippers (a barbershop housed in a 1930s bank) and the Bronzeville Collective (a retail space featuring local Black brands) elevate African American artistry, while the newly opened Maranta Plant Shop , Sam’s Place Jazz Cafe and soon-to-open Niche Book Bar prove that Bronzeville is back.

— Shayla Martin

Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve

Corey Myers/NWTT

Looming cliffsides.

Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve, Canada

Designated in 2019 and located in the Northwest Territories, Canada’s newest national park, Thaidene Nëné, means “Land of the Ancestors” in the Denesuline language. The park is a mix of boreal forest and tundra along the eastern shoreline of Great Slave Lake. It also sets a new precedent in including Indigenous peoples in park management and oversight. The first Canadian national parks, created in the 19th century, excluded Indigenous peoples from their traditional lands. Although this policy changed, overall control remained in the hands of Parks Canada. At Thaidene Nëné, Indigenous communities, including the nearby Dene settlement of Lutsel K’e, have helped create and manage the park from the beginning. Economic opportunities derived from the park, like guiding and cultural heritage tours, flow back to these communities. Ni Hat’ni Dene is a network of Lutsel K’e residents employed to protect, monitor and provide interpretive tours of the park. Visitors can hike along the trails of Dene ancestors, paddle through the many coves and waterfalls of the eastern arm of Great Slave Lake, fish for lake trout and Arctic grayling during the summer’s nearly 24-hour light, and camp at the transition point between the subarctic and Arctic environments.

— Peter Kujawinski

Cerro Castillo National Park

A huemul sits on a hill in a forest.

Cerro Castillo National Park, Chile

Located along the Route of Parks of Patagonia, a network of 17 national reserves that make up about a third of Chile, Cerro Castillo was designated as a national park in 2018 and is at the center of an effort to protect the country’s national animal, the huemul or South Andean deer, from extinction. The huemul population has dwindled to 1,500, about 1 percent of its historic size. Rewilding Chile , a conservation organization started by the co-founder of the North Face, Douglas Tompkins, working with the Chilean government, is leading an initiative to save them. The National Huemul Corridor would give the huemules more room to roam between the parks, and Rewilding Chile is gathering funds to build a huemul rehabilitation center in Cerro Castillo to treat animals infected with Linfoadenitis caseosa, a disease transmitted by cattle. Visitors to Cerro Castillo may spot the animals while enjoying a short walk on one of the trails through the Lenga and Ñirre forests, or can opt for a circuit through the park that takes four to five days. The park’s crown jewel is a mountain peak that resembles a castle, from which it takes its name.

— Concepción de León

Daintree Rainforest

Map of Daintree Rainforest, Australia

Daintree Rainforest, Australia

The 180-million-year-old Daintree Rainforest in northern Queensland is one of the world’s most complex ecosystems. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage site , the area is home to sparkling rivers, copious wildlife and lush tropical flora, all of which tumble down to white sand beaches that abut the Great Barrier Reef. The region has always been popular with tourists. But in 2021 it became an even more compelling destination, after nearly 400,000 acres of land, including Daintree, were handed back to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji , an Aboriginal people who are believed to have lived in the area for more than 50,000 years. The hope is that the transfer of ownership will encourage visitors to learn more about the culture and ecological stewardship of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji, as well as provide career opportunities for members of the tribe. It is an example of the increasingly vital role Indigenous Australians are taking in the country’s tourism industry.

accessible tourism destinations

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Elisabeth Goodridge, Alice Fang, Stephen Hiltner, Matt Ruby and Amy Virshup. Additional production by Michael Beswetherick.

Additional Editing

Suzanne MacNeille and Lynda Richardson

Baden Copeland

Photo Editing

Phaedra Brown

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accessible tourism destinations

The World Has Changed, So Has ‘52 Places’

accessible tourism destinations

52 Places to Love in 2021

Corrections

Jan 10, 2022: An earlier version of this article misspelled the surname of a restaurant critic in New York City. His name is Robert Sietsema, not Robert Sietsma. The article also misstated the status of a huemul rehabilitation center planned for Cerro Castillo National Park in Chile. The project is still in the process of getting funded, it is not in the construction stage yet.

Jan 11, 2022: An earlier version of this article misstated the status of Puerto Rico's El Yunque National Forest. It is the only tropical rainforest within the U.S. Forest Service's holdings, not the only rainforest. It also misstated the reopening date of a museum in Milwaukee. America’s Black Holocaust Museum is scheduled to reopen this year, not 2023.

Jan 12, 2022: An earlier version of this article omitted an organization that purchased land to protect wildlife in Argentina. It was Tompkins Conservation, as well as Rewilding Argentina.

  • 1. Chioggia, Italy
  • 2. Chimanimani National Park, Mozambique
  • 3. Queens, New York
  • 4. Northumberland, England
  • 5. Zihuatanejo, Mexico
  • 6. Iberá Park, Argentina
  • 7. Alentejo Wine Region, Portugal
  • 8. The Lucayan Archipelago, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos
  • 9. Evia, Greece
  • 10. Cobscook Shores, Maine
  • 11. Hoonah, Alaska
  • 12. Cleveland, Ohio
  • 13. Courmayeur, Italy
  • 14. Red River Delta, Vietnam
  • 15. South Africa
  • 16. Uttarakhand, India
  • 17. Fogo Island, Newfoundland, Canada
  • 18. The Great Highway, San Francisco
  • 19. Kyoto, Japan
  • 20. El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
  • 21. Sierra Leone
  • 22. Slovenia
  • 23. El Hierro, Spain
  • 24. Summerland Peninsula, Australia
  • 25. Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan
  • 26. Gouda, The Netherlands
  • 27. Thy, Denmark
  • 28. The Red Sea Mountain Trail, Egypt
  • 29. Little Calumet River, Chicago
  • 30. The Inner Hebrides, Scotland
  • 31. Normandy, France
  • 32. Estes Park, Colorado
  • 33. Kunta Kinteh Island, Gambia
  • 34. Naples, Italy
  • 35. Höga Kusten, Sweden
  • 36. Humboldt, Kansas
  • 37. Greenland
  • 38. Marrakesh, Morocco
  • 39. Northland, New Zealand
  • 40. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
  • 41. Elijio Panti National Park, Belize
  • 42. Sarasota, Florida
  • 43. Vanuatu
  • 44. Santa Cruz County, California
  • 45. Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil
  • 46. Saguaro National Park, Arizona
  • 47. Islas Cíes, Spain
  • 49. Bronzeville, Milwaukee
  • 50. Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve, Canada
  • 51. Cerro Castillo National Park, Chile
  • 52. Daintree Rainforest, Australia

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This New Luxury Hotel Is Helping Make Fort Worth, Texas, One of the Best Places to Go in 2024

Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection, is helping put Fort Worth, Texas, on travelers' radars.

accessible tourism destinations

Courtesy of Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection

There’s a new party in the Cultural District of Fort Worth, Texas — which was named one of the best places to go in 2024 by Travel + Leisure editors . Arriving at 9 p.m. on a Friday, I was surrounded by groups of fun-loving Texans in cowboy hats and fur vests leaving their Rivians and Suburbans with the valet at the Bowie House, the latest addition to Auberge Resorts Collection. They walked through the art- and antiques-filled lobby, richly textured with Texas longhorns, cowhide-upholstered club chairs, wool rugs, and a riot of equestrian motifs: paintings, statues, photographs and saddles.  

Denny Lee/Travel + Leisure

After checking in, the front desk clerk offered a tour of the unfolding scene. For a moment, I wasn’t sure if I had entered a hotel lobby, or a cocktail reception at a high-end antiques showroom – the kind of place that requires an appointment. The wood-paneled bar was buzzing with the din of elegant groups laughing over bottles of wine; older couples slurping down oysters by the fireplace, families carving into steaks in a private dining room, and young professionals perusing the impressive art collection. “The idea when you walk in is to feel like you’re at someone’s house,” said Gaylord Lamy, the hotel’s general manager.

The Bowie House, which is named after the Alamo defender and famed frontiersman James Bowie (pronounced BOO-eee) opened on Dec. 1, 2023, with 88 units, a luxurious spa, and a clutch of social spaces. If the resort feels uniquely Fort Worth, that’s very much the vision of its owner, Jo Ellard, a Dallas businesswoman and cutting horse hall-of-famer. (For those not familiar with modern equestrian competitions, a cutting horse and rider are judged by how skillfully they separate a cow from its herd.) The art collection is another passion of hers, built over 15 years. 

It’s no accident that the Bowie House is practically next door to the Will Rogers Memorial Center, which holds cutting horse competitions and livestocks shows throughout the year.  When I visited, there was a stock and rodeo show taking place. Now all those horse riders, cowboys, and cowgirls have a place to hangout.  

Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection

— The art-filled, modern Texas decor that showcases Fort Worth as a capital of horse culture.

— The hotel’s convenient location in the heart of the cultural district, close to the Will Rogers Memorial Center, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the Kimbell Art Museum.

— Bowie House’s lively social scene that feels like a house party, with an upscale mix of local Texans and visitors. 

The resort has 88 studios, 12 lofts, and six suites – all lavishly appointed with homey touches like drink carts, art books, dimmer switches, club chairs, coat racks, and a stool for putting on shoes. The build-level is high: brass Waterworks fixtures, richly veined stone counters, silk wallpaper, and a woven leather headboard. The large Presidential Suite overlooks downtown and can be combined with adjacent rooms for a three-bedroom complex. “Perfect for a family,” Lamy said. My King Studio was spacious, with three reading chairs, a beautifully tiled shower, and a balcony that faced the swimming pool and hot tub.  

Food and Drink

The Bricks and Horses restaurant has the energy and leather-and-brass decor of a social club. The brunch menu includes elevated Texas classics like fried quail and waffles, as well as a lighter avocado pesto toast. The dinner menu offers six different cuts of Texas steak, as well as a seafood tower, pies, and a house-made sourdough bread. The Bar at Bowie House is open all day and serves smaller bites (e.g., raw oysters, deviled eggs, and tuna tartare) and drinks throughout the many plush lounges and common spaces.  

Experiences and Amenities 

This is where the Bowie House really shines. The resort offers a bounty of Texas-themed adventures and experiences every week, including tours with the Dallas Cowboys, step-and-line dancing lessons, mahjong nights , whisky tastings by local distillery TX Whisky , and art tours — at both the Bowie House and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth designed by Tadao Ando. During my stay, there was a Texas rag-tie workshop in the lobby, and a pop-up boutique featuring handcrafted hats by Nick Fouquet. Guests can sign up for experiences at the front desk or with the concierge. (Prices vary; some are complimentary.) 

A heated outdoor pool and hot tub are on the second-floor deck, surrounded by plush lounge chairs. The fitness room, also on the second floor, is bright and airy, and well equipped with a half-dozen Technogym machines, Peloton bikes, treadmills, and free weights. Those looking to host an event of their own will find a range of event spaces, from a 608-square-foot library with a fireplace and lacquer interiors, to 4,255-square-foot ballroom that fits 500.

The Ash spa has a long menu of treatment options, ranging from a 25-minute foot massage to a four-hour couples’ massage in a private suite, with a body scrub and facial. There are separate locker rooms for men and women — each with a hammam-style steam room and cedar-lined infrared sauna — plus a relaxation lounge and outdoor terrace. 

Family-friendly Offerings

I didn’t see any children at Bowie House during my stay, but the hotel can offer babysitting and child-friendly itineraries upon request. Cribs and high chairs are also available. 

Accessibility and Sustainability

The main entry, reception desk, restaurant, public restrooms, ballrooms, pool, and spa are all accessible. Seventeen guest rooms have wider, 32-inch entries and other accessibility features such as visual doorbells and fire alarms, roll-in showers, 3-by-3 transfer showers, and accessible bathtubs with grab bars. 

The Bowie house is on Camp Bowie Boulevard in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District, close to the area’s top attractions, including the  Will Rogers Memorial Center.  Also nearby are several noteworthy museums: Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth; the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History ; the Kimbell Art Museum ; and National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame . As with all places in sprawling Fort Worth, a car is the best way to get around. The historic Fort Worth Stockyards is a 15-minute drive to the northeast, and the restaurants and bars of the West 7th district is a five-minute drive to the east. 

Finding the Best Deal

Luxury boutique hotels are relatively new to Fort Worth, so look for specials enticing visitors to stay longer. Bowie House is offering third-night stays for free (with a three-night minimum), while American Express is offering platinum cardholders a similar, limited-time deal without the three-night minimum, that includes daily breakfast and a 4 p.m. checkout.

UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

Publication of first international standard on accessible tourism for all, led by UNWTO, Fundación ONCE and UNE

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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

UNWTO

  • 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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Ramadan 2024 travel: From Dubai to Saudi Arabia; 6 must-visit destinations for rich cultural experiences

Discover six top destinations for cultural immersion this ramadan 2024, promising unforgettable experiences steeped in tradition and diversity..

Ramadan , also known as Ramzan or Ramazan, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is celebrated by the Muslim community all over the world with great pomp and splendour. The month of hope, prayer, fasting, introspection and fellowship is observed during this holy period. During this month, Muslims abstain from worldly pleasures, extravagant behaviour and overspending. Together with their friends and family, they observe Roza or fasting. During this time, people get up early to eat Sehri or Suhoor. After that, they abstain from all food and drink until the evening twilight. They consume water and dates to break their fast. This is followed by Iftar , a feast consisting of a variety of delicacies. (Also read: Ramadan 2024: Why moon sighting is an important Islamic tradition; all you want to know )

Ramadan 2024 travel: Top 6 must-visit destinations for rich cultural experiences(Unsplash)

Ramadan is an important time for Muslims around the world, and many Muslim-majority countries observe this holy month with cultural traditions and religious practices. Here are some destinations to consider if you're planning a holiday during Ramadan:

Best destinations to visit on Ramadan

1. saudi arabia.

Saudi Arabia is a wonderful destination to visit during Ramadan because of its rich Islamic history and plenty of mosques and other places of worship. During Ramadan, the city comes alive with street food vendors, traditional Iftar feasts, and cultural events.

2. Dubai, UAE

Dubai is a popular destination during Ramadan as it offers a variety of cultural events and activities such as prayer services, live music and entertainment, and Ramadan tents serving traditional food. The city also offers a variety of entertainment and retail alternatives, including malls that stay open late.

3. Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is a great place to spend Ramadan with its rich Islamic heritage and many mosques and other places of worship. The city comes alive during Ramadan with street food stalls, cultural gatherings and the traditional iftar banquets.

Morocco is a Muslim-majority country that celebrates Ramadan with religious and cultural customs, such as offering traditional delicacies at Iftar and holding midnight prayers. Explore the country's illustrious past and stunning architecture, including its famous mosques and vibrant souks.

Egypt is renowned for its traditional Ramadan celebrations, which include the nocturnal Taraweeh prayers and the presentation of traditional delicacies during Iftar. Egypt is also home to a rich Islamic past. Ancient ruins and historical landmarks, such as the Valley of the Kings and the Pyramids of Giza, are open to visitors.

6. Malaysia

Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country that celebrates religious and cultural traditions during Ramadan, such as iftar dinners and cultural performances. Travellers can experience the country's vibrant markets and street food culture, as well as its rich cultural heritage.

It's important to remember that many places, including restaurants, may have altered opening hours during Ramadan and certain tourist attractions may be closed or have restricted opening hours. It's a good idea to check with your travel agent or local tourist board for any restrictions or changes to opening times during Ramadan.

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8 Most Peaceful Places To Live In The US

Lack of noise, plentiful green spaces, and access to nature make these destinations some of the most peaceful places in the US to live.

  • Less noise + more nature = a peaceful living environment with benefits for physical and mental health.
  • Eight US towns and cities stand out for their low noise levels and abundance of green spaces for relaxation.
  • Access to outdoor spaces in the most peaceful cities in the US offers a variety of activities to enjoy and promote well-being among residents.

What makes a place peaceful? Two top factors are lack of noise and plentiful green spaces. A Center for Disease Control study reported lack of sleep and reduced productivity as adverse health conditions resulting from a noisy environment. On the other side of the coin, access to nature provides a sense of relaxation, psychological restoration, and better cardiovascular health. Less noise pollution + more outdoor time = peaceful.

Whether seeking tranquil towns in the least stressed US states to relocate permanently or a Zen getaway spot, these cities offer true peace and quiet. Data for this study includes comparing noise levels, measured in A-weighted decibels, a unit of sound measurement abbreviated dBA, and access to parks and other green spaces. These eight US cities are the top-ranked spots with lower noise levels and plenty of places to enjoy the mental and physical aspects of being outdoors.

Each of these peaceful places in America was ranked in Yahoo! Finance's article , which used various metrics to determine "peaceful", such as quality of life scores, mean noise levels, and access to nearby parks, which were taken from reliable sources.

The main street of Silverton Colorado

10 Happiest Small Towns In America

8 hartford, connecticut, mean noise level: 41.01 dba, access to nearest outdoor space: 98%.

Hartford has many places to enjoy the outdoors, such as vineyards, parks, and historical attractions. The historic home and grounds of the famous author Samuel Clemens, known as Mark Twain, is a great place to get a sense of Hartford’s history. The serene surroundings are the backdrop where Twain wrote such masterpieces as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer .

Bushnell Park, a green space surrounding the state capitol, offers a historical fountain, 150 varieties of mature trees, and a restored carousel from 1914. The Elizabeth Park Rose Garden is free and also dog-friendly.

Elizabeth Park Rose Garden is a great place to visit in June when the roses are in bloom.

Homes along the Mystic River in Connecticut

10 Things To Do In Mystic: Complete Guide To Connecticut's Favorite Small Town

7 tampa, florida, mean noise level: 40.84 dba, access to nearest outdoor space: 65%.

Although Tampa might come to mind as a bustling city with professional sports and an eclectic food scene, the Tampa Bay area has some of Florida’s best natural surroundings for outdoor activities and ecotourism. The city's proximity to the Florida coastline also provides the option to explore many beautiful beaches near Tampa .

Hillsborough River State Park , minutes from downtown Tampa, has over seven miles of trails and opportunities to kayak or canoe on the Hillsborough River. The urban beauty of Tampa’s Riverwalk is an excellent spot to soak up the sun. Run, walk, bike along the paved path adjacent to the river, or rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard .

Hillsborough River has Class II Rapids, a rarity in Florida.

6 Reading, Pennsylvania

Mean noise level: 40.4 dba, access to nearest outdoor space: 99%.

While the Keystone State might be well-known for large, bustling cities like Philadelphia, there are many small towns in Pennsylvania that feel so far removed from Philadelphia and exude quiet charm. The scenic water views and year-round festivals in Reading make the city an attractive option for enjoying life outdoors.

Reading is the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania, but the total population is less than 100,000. Choice outdoor activities include Blue Marks Lake Recreation Area, which has 36 miles of trails and 1,147 acres of water for boating and fishing, and a section of the Appalachian Trail. While the entire trail – over 2,000 miles – might be daunting, hikers can explore a section of the trail just outside Reading in Berks County.

There is a festival in Reading for every interest and every season. From food festivals to art walks, there’s always something happening to draw residents and visitors outside and get them socializing.

Park City, Utah, USA downtown in autumn

10 Happiest Places To Live In The U.S. In 2024

5 daytona beach, florida, mean noise level: 39.71 dba, access to nearest outdoor space: 51%.

Daytona Beach might be a popular tourist spot, but its 23 miles of Atlantic shoreline contribute to the overall laid-back beach community vibe. Florida’s mild temperatures make year-round water activities possible, but there’s more to enjoying the outdoors than just going to the beach. The city maintains over 30 public parks, so finding someplace for a walk or bike ride is never hard.

Tiger Bay State Forest is just seven miles inland from Daytona Beach. Tiger Bay is a wetland that provides aquifer recharge for the local area. Available recreational activities include hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and camping. There is no shortage of fun things to do in Daytona Beach .

Daytona Beach, Florida

10 Of The Best Florida Beaches For Families

4 grand rapids, michigan, mean noise level: 39.65 dba, access to nearest outdoor space: 77%.

This walkable city is located along Lake Michigan and transitions to green and quiet suburbs. Grand Rapids is known for all types of art, and one of the premier attractions is the Frederik Meijer Sculpture Gardens . This 158-acre attraction features the Midwest’s most comprehensive outdoor sculpture collection, nature trails, and five acres of dedicated children’s garden.

Biking is also popular year-round in Grand Rapids. There are miles of urban trails to explore close to downtown, and for a scenic nature ride, explore the trail system in Millennium Park and the Kent Trails . And, while wintertime brings cold, snowy weather to Michigan, fat biking is also popular, so bike enthusiasts can enjoy exploring on two wheels all winter. From taking a brewery tour to exploring the John Ball Zoo, there are countless things to do in Grand Rapids .

Lake house along Lake Huron in autumn season at Mackinac Island, Michigan

Michigan Is Now Home To America's Most Beautiful Town

3 green bay, wisconsin, mean noise level: 39.47 dba, access to nearest outdoor space: 75%.

Evening concert on the CityDeck, a park in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Although football fans’ ears might perk up when someone mentions Green Bay, the city is about more than just football…although the city does love their Packers with a passion. There are multiple places to get outside in Green Bay, including the free Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary . This urban oasis is excellent for gentle hikes in spring, summer, and fall and for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. There are over five miles of trails to explore.

Titletown is another urban indoor/outdoor recreation space. Especially popular on Packers home game days, Titletown is an all-season park with a playground, football field, and sledding hill. From Friday night campfires to Zumba on the lawn, something is always happening at Titletown.

2 Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Mean noise level: 39.21 dba, access to nearest outdoor space: 96%.

Lancaster, with a population of 58,000, is among the most peaceful towns in the US to live in; it offers many open green spaces, trails, and parks. Lancaster County has seven trail systems for walking, running, and biking. The largest and one of the most popular green spaces is Central Park , featuring 13 miles of interconnected, multi-use trails.

Hiking and snowshoeing are permitted on all trails, while select trails are open to off-road biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. Interestingly, Lancaster is also known for its Amish communities.

Rural farmland in southern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

14 Things To Do In Lancaster: Complete Guide To The Amish Capital Of The World

1 fort collins, colorado, mean noise level: 33.03 dba, access to nearest outdoor space: 73%.

Fort Collins is 65 miles north of Denver and ranks as the most peaceful city in the United States to live in, according to the study . Fort Collins has a crime rate of 32 per 1,000 residents , which ranks lower than the Mile High City, which comes in at 74 per 1,000 .

Fort Collins is all about wide open spaces, with Lory State Park having 26 miles of scenic trails of varying terrain from rolling valleys to mountainous hillsides. Visitors to Lory State Park can enjoy a variety of hikes, trail runs, and backcountry camping. Many of the trails connect to Horsetooth Reservoir , which is popular with kayakers and paddleboarders. Fort Collins also has seven community parks and 43 pocket and neighborhood parks.

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  1. Accessible tourism: Enabling tourism opportunities for differently-abled people

    accessible tourism destinations

  2. What is Accessible Tourism?

    accessible tourism destinations

  3. Accessible tourism: a right and a business opportunity

    accessible tourism destinations

  4. Accessible Tourism for All: An Opportunity within Our Reach

    accessible tourism destinations

  5. Accessible Tourism Identified as ‘Game Changer’ for Destinations

    accessible tourism destinations

  6. Accessible Tourism: Making Travel Available to All

    accessible tourism destinations

COMMENTS

  1. The world's most wheelchair-accessible travel destinations

    Barcelona, Spain. With the national tourism authority and Catalonia in particular pushing accessible travel, it's no surprise that wheelchair users have been flocking to Barcelona. With 80% of the metro stations and 100% of buses wheelchair-accessible, as well as a relatively flat and cobblestone-free old city, getting around is a breeze.

  2. Accessible Tourism

    The "Accessible Tourism Destination" was launched in 2019 by UN Tourism and the ONCE Foundation, to recognize and promote accessible tourism destinations. The ATD is an annual UN Tourism distinction based on an Expert Committee evaluation, which acknowledges destinations enabling a seamless experience to any tourist, regardless of their abilities .

  3. Wheelchair Accessible Travel Destinations

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The former Portuguese colony has become one of the most accessible destinations in Latin America. 55 detailed accessible travel guides for destinations in the United States, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America and more.

  4. Accessible Tourism Identified as 'Game Changer' for Destinations

    3 Dec 2020. Ensuring accessibility for tourists with specific access requirements can be a 'game changer' for destinations around the world as they look to bounce back from the impacts of the pandemic. A new set of Inclusive Recovery Guides from the World Tourism Organization, produced in partnership with the European Network for Accessible ...

  5. Accessible tourism

    Accessible tourism. Accessible tourism is the ongoing endeavor to ensure tourist destinations, products, and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical or intellectual limitations, disabilities or age. [1] It encompasses publicly and privately owned and operated tourist locations. The goal of accessible tourism is to ...

  6. 9 Mobility-friendly Trips That Are Accessible to All Travelers

    Wheel the World, a travel booking platform known for making global travel more accessible, recently launched nine itineraries, including a women-only tour of Morocco and a seniors trip to Israel.

  7. Sharing accessibility solutions for tourism

    Destinations for All (DfA) aims to promote accessible tourism around the world. It brings together many players from across the globe to share good practices in the field of accessible tourism. Two summits have already been held, first in Montreal in 2014, and then in Brussels in 2018. The third, initially planned to be held in Miami in 2021 ...

  8. 6 Tour Companies Dedicated to Wheelchair Travel and Other Disabilities

    In 2016, she founded Planet Abled, a travel company that caters to the needs of people with various disabilities, a group the World Health Organization estimates at 15 percent of the world's ...

  9. Journeyable

    The world's top accessible travel destinations, experiences, advisors, and a global community of pioneers helping you discover the world around & within you. Journeyable is the globally trusted resource for the insights & inspiration you need to plan unforgettable journeys. See our mission & vision. Welcome to the Journeyable Life…

  10. Promoting accessible tourism for all

    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.

  11. Accessible and Disability-Friendly Travel Destinations Around the World

    With 2,100 tactile and Braille street signs and accessibility for almost all their public transportation, Sydney is quickly becoming a disability-friendly destination. Their Accessibility Map, currently in beta, provides helpful information, such as where to find mobility parking spaces and accessible public restrooms.

  12. Accessible Tourism for All: An Opportunity within Our Reach

    Our mission is to make tourism destinations, products and services at the European level accessible for all visitors, while supporting the promotion of inclusive and accessible tourism on a global scale. Capitán Haya 42, 28020 Madrid, Spain Tel: (34) 91 567 81 00 / Fax: (34) 91 571 37 33 www.unwto.org.

  13. What is Accessible Tourism and Why is it So Important?

    Destinations that are experiencing or that have recently experience terrorist attacks are unlikely to be accessible tourism destinations. e.g. New York after the 9/11 attacks, Tunisia after the shootings in 2015, Bali after the bombing in 2002. War. Areas that have ongoing war are also unlikely to be accessible tourism destinations.

  14. Accessible Travel in the USA: A Guide for Visitors of All Abilities

    From the sandy shores of the Pacific Ocean coastline to the peaks of New York City skyscrapers, the USA is a diverse vacation destination attracting visitors from around the world. To ensure that all travelers are able to make everlasting memories during their time here, the USA is committed to being an accessible destination for all travelers.

  15. Accessible Tourist Destinations

    The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Fundación ONCE celebrated the best 'Accessible Tourist Destinations', at FITUR, the tourism trade fair in Madrid. These are distinctions granted by the two entities to recognize and promote tourist destinations that are accessible to all people. In this first edition of the initiative, this ...

  16. Welcome to ENAT European Network for Accessible Tourism

    ENAT Meets European Travel Commission Members in Athens for Training Workshop on Accessible Tourism. 8 February 2024, Athens. Hosted by the Greek National Tourism Organisation, the 9th Annual Meeting of the Market Intelligence and Marketing Groups of the European Travel Commission (ETC) enjoyed a stimulating collaborative Workshop addressing Accessible Tourism in the context of National ...

  17. Analyzing Destination Accessibility From the Perspective of Efficiency

    Some studies have focused on tourist perceptions in evaluating destination accessibility. AlKahtani et al. (2015) define accessibility as the ability of tourists to conveniently reach a destination, and individual differences among them (e.g., gender, income, and education) may affect the perceptions of accessibility among tourists and their subsequent travel decisions.

  18. Accessible Tourism from the Destination Perspective ...

    The term "accessible tourism" is relatively recent. According to Rubio-Escuderos et al. [], it was first used in the academic literature in 1989, in a report by Baker titled "Tourism for all" [].Accessible tourism refers to the issue of accessibility through the removal of urban and architectural barriers as well as social integration through tourism for people with some kind of ...

  19. PDF Get Rolling: Tips on Exploring the Bay Area and Beyond

    access to trails, picnic and camping sites, and beaches. This tip sheet provides some accessible resources for things like parks, playgrounds and how to be involved in recreational activities in the bay area and beyond. We also provide some resources to plan an out of town vacation. Accessible Parks, Trails Facilities and Recreation Programs

  20. 52 Places for Travelers to Visit in 2022

    The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution. Built on a cluster of islands in the Venetian lagoon, with centuries-old buildings rising from the ...

  21. Amtrak Tickets, Schedules and Train Routes

    WHY AMTRAK Amtrak's unique travel experience for families, individuals and groups BEFORE YOU GO Tickets & fares, accessible travel service, security & ID requirements AT THE STATION Boarding information, station lounges, baggage & station services ONBOARD Seating & sleeping, baggage info, train amenities, food & dining

  22. Oregon's Most Accessible Fishing Spots

    Fish From Wheelchair-Friendly Spots on the Coast. On the Coast, a new half-million-dollar fishing pier opened in 2022 at the Bandon Marina to give people of all abilities and ages a place to fish in an area along the Coquille River that is safe and easy to use. Like all new constructions for accessible fishing, the pier was built to Americans with Disabilities Act standards and has ramps ...

  23. Tourism Improvement Districts and Community Shared Value

    The main concern is the long- term stability of increased revenue and advocating for the value of an additional source of funding. Despite these challenges, the benefits of these additional revenue funding sources can contribute to the destination's community shared values in an invaluable way. Tourism Improvement district funding can benefit ...

  24. This New Luxury Hotel Is Helping Make Fort Worth, Texas, One ...

    The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2024 6 Best Weekend Getaways in Texas for National Park Adventures, Luxury Resorts, and Small-town Charm How This Classic Game Became the Latest Must-have Hotel Amenity

  25. Publication of first international standard on accessible tourism for

    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.

  26. Ramadan 2024 travel: Top 6 must-visit destinations for rich cultural

    Best destinations to visit on Ramadan 1. Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a wonderful destination to visit during Ramadan because of its rich Islamic history and plenty of mosques and other places of ...

  27. 8 Most Peaceful Places To Live In The US

    Lack of noise, plentiful green spaces, and access to nature make these destinations some of the most peaceful places in the US to live. ... Daytona Beach might be a popular tourist spot, but its 23 miles of Atlantic shoreline contribute to the overall laid-back beach community vibe. Florida's mild temperatures make year-round water activities ...

  28. Boca Raton: Your perfect luxuriant vacation destination

    With an insatiable passion for discovering new destinations and adventure, Angela Caraway-Carlton is a South Florida-based freelance journalist who focuses on travel, luxury lifestyle trends ...

  29. Symbolic interactionism: exploring the experience of traditional

    As a symbol of cultural exchange, destination clothing experience is of great importance in the construction of tourists' identity, especially the traditional clothing experience. In recent years, Hanfu has gradually become a representative symbol of Chinese culture, and many tourist attractions have become the initial platform of Hindu use.