Translated by Andrés Martínez
Bogota has received recognition for its accessible tourism strategy, which offers easily accessible tourism options for the enjoyment of tourists, visitors, and residents. The Representative State Platform for People with Physical Disabilities (PREDIF) of Spain, within the framework of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), presented this recognition to the city, as announced by the Bogota Tourism Institute (IDT).
Through this strategy, the IDT aims to break down existing barriers in infrastructure, communication, and information, while strengthening the skills of Bogota's tourism sector. The goal is to enable all individuals, especially those with specific accessibility requirements, to enjoy tourism in the city autonomously, comfortably, and safely.
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"At IDT, we are committed to accessibility and inclusion. That's why, together with stakeholders in the tourism sector, we work to make Bogota a destination that allows accessible experiences. Over 2,000 people have been sensitized to accessible tourism, and we promote tours that everyone can participate in, along with installing tourism signage with accessibility criteria," stated Andrés Santamaría, the director of the District Institute of Tourism.
The initiative's objective is to implement actions that encourage the tourism value chain to embrace accessible tourism in their spaces, attractions, services, and products. This includes eliminating access barriers in the city to attract more tourists.
To promote accessible tourism in the city, the IDT has taken steps such as creating the Accessible Tourism Network, offering adapted tours and experiences, and providing information about inclusion criteria for tourist attractions on the @tur4all platform. This application offers updated accessibility information for tourism service providers, reducing access barriers and making the destination more attractive and competitive.
Here is a post from the IDT about Bogota's recognition for its accessible tourism strategy:
Desde el #IDT trabajamos para que #Bogota sea un destino con ofertas turísticas de fácil acceso para los turistas y residentes.
— IDTBogota (@IDTBogota) January 25, 2024
Conoce todo sobre el reconocimiento que @Impulsaigualdad entregó a @Bogota por su estrategia de #TurismoAccesible👩🦽
Aquí 👇https://t.co/P35EEyjuL4pic.twitter.com/qOiHhPEyUJ
The development of this strategy has involved partnerships between public entities and private sector companies, including the National Institute for the Deaf (INSOR), Best Buddies Colombia Foundation, Ibero-American Council for Design, City and Accessible Construction (CIDCCA), Plaza Mayor, Botanical Garden, and Divine Redemption Missionaries Foundation (Fumdir).
It's worth noting that Bogota was accredited as a Smart Tourist Destination (DTI) following an evaluation conducted by the Spanish State Society for Information and Tourism Technologies Management (SEGITTUR), achieving an accessibility compliance rate of 81.2%. This recognition, combined with other components, earned the city the distinction of being named a Smart Tourist Destination in 2023.
