First of its kind helpful online database launches on accessible travel and facilities in Germany
The German National Tourist Board has revealed a new and comprehensive online database for accessible (BarrierFree) travel, the first of its kind to include a national labelling and “Accessibility Checked” seal.
Entitled Travel for All, the database enables the user to search for a wide range of accessible holiday facilities throughout Germany, including accommodation, restaurants, activities, shopping centres and essential information such as accessible travel and local tourism offices. It includes an online map, showing the location of the item and linking directly to each supplier and the relevant certification.
The Travel for All project has been funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy; it was developed by the German Seminar for Tourism (DSFT) in coordination with the Tourism for All Germany (NatKo) organisation, as well as a wide variety of tourism partners.
Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of GNTB’s board of directors, said: “BarrierFree tourism services are indispensable for about ten percent of visitors to Germany. Our new database includes over 1,500 fully certified BarrierFree facilities and service providers and this information will be expanded on an ongoing basis.
“The database is highly useful for both consumers and tour operators. It is an aid not only to the actual travel planning but also researching activities or accommodation, from a trusted source that provides up to date information from certified partners in BarrierFree travel.”
Each company included in the database is documented by trained researchers and evaluated with clear quality criteria. Detailed information on the accessibility of each listed entry can be viewed by the guests – providing more transparency and reliability – and which bears the “Accessibility Checked” seal.
Rolf Schrader, Managing Director at DSFT, explained: “The ‘Travel for All’ project, developed by us in co-operation with the GNTB and many other partners, is the first to offer nationwide labelling for accessible travel.
“Our system enables a comprehensive, certified database for BarrierFree tourism over a wide cross-section of accessible tourism service providers; in addition, these companies can be directly involved in their certification process. The interest to date has been tremendous.”
Detailed information about accessible travel offers in Germany can be accessed here
Accessible travel is a key requirement for the tourism industry in the 21st century and the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is continuing to meet this requirement and to expand its accessible tourism offers and services in Germany.