inclusive tourism manager

• Content Type Project
• Published At 13/04/2020

IN-TOUR - INclusive TOURism Professions. European Curricula For Accessible Tourism Manager And Frontline Staff

Share on social media.

• Post to Facebook
• Post to LinkedIn
• Post to Twitter

The IN-Tour project aims to cover a gap in the training system in Europe related to Accessible Tourism. With a wide range of partners who are experienced in accessible tourism, accessibility, training and education fields, the project will develop blended learning Vocational Training Courses for a postgraduate Inclusive Tourism Manager profile (ITM) and an undergraduate Inclusive Tourism Frontline Staff (ITFS) profile, involving 3 Universities providing VET.

The In-Tour project aims to cover the need for quality education and training on Accessible Tourism for hospitality Managers and Frontline Staff, in particular by:

• defining an occupational profile (according to ESCO definition) for Inclusive Tourism Manager and Inclusive Tourism Frontline Staff.
• specifying the skill gaps by connecting directly the demand with representatives of tourism industries and entrepreneurs and by analysing the good practices already developed
• defining the European Curricula in the accessible tourism sector, at EQF 6 level and EQF 4 level;
• designing a flexible and modular training path for both professional profiles: Tourism Managers and Tourism Frontline Staff
• delivering the curricula in pilot courses in different countries.

The Curricula will be defined in a flexible and modular way in order to provide a general reference European model which could be implemented in each EU Member State. The Curricula will be tested though the local pilots and will include periods of work-based learning.

The IN-TOUR project will evaluate the flexibility of the Curricula by designing 5 pilot courses in 3 different countries, as follows: ITFS course at EQF level 5 will be implemented in Germany and Greece. The German pilot will address a minimum of 20 students for 300h and will provide a Lifelong Learning Certificate and will credit 20-30 ECTS. The Greek pilot will address a minimum of 20 students for 260h and will provide a Certificate of Postgraduate Training and will credit 20-30 ECTS. The credits will be fixed according with the design of the courses and the LO addressed. ITM course at EQF levels 6 and 7 will be implemented in Germany, Greece and Italy. The German pilot at EQF 6 level will address a minimum of 20 students for 300 hours and will provide a Lifelong Learning Certificate equivalent to 1 semester in a Bachelor’s Degree program and will credit 20-30 ECTS. The Greek pilot (EQF6) will address a minimum of 20 students for 260 hours and will provide a Certificate of Postgraduate Training Lifelong Learning Certificate and will credit 20-30 ECTS. The Italian pilot will address a minimum of 20 students and will be realised to reach EQF7 level, the course envisages a 370 hour training for 60 ECTS credits. Students will receive a certification of Master Universitario di Primo Livello.

The training will include classroom lessons, distance learning and work-based learning (blended learning). The specific content, methods and resources will be arranged during the activities of Work Package 3 and 4, while the evaluation of curriculum, tools and participants’ learning will be carried out through the activities of Work Package 6.

Project Data

Coordinator.

• AISM – Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla Onlus Italy
• SI4LIFE scrl Italy
• Università degli Studi di Genova Italy
• Fondazione per la Ricerca e l’Innovazione Italy
• Hellenic Open University Greece
• EPIMELITIRIO ILIAS (Chamber of Ilia), Greece
• Akademie für berufliche Bildung gGmbH Germany
• Fachhochschule Dresden (University of Applied Sciences), Germany
• FUNKA NU AB Sweden
• Camara Oficial de Comercio e Industria de Valladolid (Chamber of Valladolid), Spain
• CRITERIA-05 S.L. Spain
• EASPD - European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities Belgium
• IAAPA - International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Belgium
• ENAT - European Network for Accessible Tourism Belgium

Project Website: https://in-tour.eu

Project Manager: Mr. Marco Pizzio, Head of Accessible Tourism, AISM. Email: [email protected]

Learning Materials

• Business Studies
• Combined Science
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• English Literature
• Environmental Science
• Human Geography
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• inclusive tourism

Inclusive tourism refers to travel practices that ensure destinations, services, and experiences are accessible and enjoyable for all individuals, regardless of their physical abilities, age, or financial means. This approach not only promotes equal opportunities and participation but also enhances the overall tourism experience, benefiting both travelers and destinations economically. By advocating for universal design, inclusive tourism aims to break down barriers, fostering a more equitable and diverse global tourism industry.

Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies

• Cell Biology

What is the main focus of inclusive tourism development?

Which principle is not part of inclusive tourism?

What services might a hotel offer to practice inclusive tourism?

What is the main goal of inclusive tourism?

What steps are hotels taking to support inclusive tourism?

According to the UNWTO, what is a key component of responsible tourism policy?

Why does embracing inclusive tourism provide economic benefits?

What does inclusive tourism aim to achieve?

Why is inclusive tourism economically significant?

Review generated flashcards

to start learning or create your own AI flashcards

Start learning or create your own AI flashcards

Vaia Editorial Team

Team inclusive tourism Teachers

• 8 minutes reading time
• Checked by Vaia Editorial Team
• Adventure and Niche Tourism
• Cultural Tourism
• Guest Services and Experience
• Hospitality
• Hospitality Analytics and Forecasting
• Hospitality Financial Management
• Hospitality Food and Beverage
• Hospitality Management
• Hospitality Safety and Security
• Hospitality Supply Chain
• Hospitality Sustainability and Ethics
• Hospitality Technology
• Hotel Management
• Human Relations
• Leadership and Hospitality Strategy
• Marketing and Tourism
• Marketing in Hospitality
• Safety and Security in Tourism
• Technology in Tourism
• Tourism Economics
• Tourism Education and Research
• Tourism Infrastructure
• Tourism Management
• agritourism
• community tourism
• crisis management tourism
• destination branding
• destination management
• economic impacts tourism
• ecotourism management
• festivals events tourism
• food tourism
• nature-based tourism
• political impacts tourism
• rural tourism
• service quality tourism
• socio-cultural impacts tourism
• tourism analysis
• tourism crisis recovery
• tourism demand
• tourism destination image
• tourism development
• tourism experience design
• tourism globalisation
• tourism impacts
• tourism law
• tourism marketing
• tourism networks
• tourism planning
• tourism policy
• tourism policy planning
• tourism products
• tourism regulation
• tourism supply chain
• tourism trends
• tourist satisfaction
• transportation tourism
• travel motivation
• wildlife tourism
• Tourism Policy and Regulation
• Tourism Sociology
• Tourism Sustainability
• Tourism and Travel
• Tourist Behavior
• Training and Development in Tourism

Jump to a key chapter

Inclusive Tourism Definition

Inclusive tourism refers to travel practices that cater to the diverse needs of all individuals, regardless of their physical abilities, age, or other personal factors. It aims to remove barriers and provide equal access to tourism experiences for everyone.

Understanding the importance of inclusive tourism requires a look at global travel trends. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), accessibility is a central element of any responsible and sustainable tourism policy . Embracing inclusive tourism not only promotes social equality but also enhances the quality of visitor experiences. Economic benefits arise as well, as it opens up new markets and customer segments. Promoting this type of tourism helps meet the needs of an aging population and offers strong opportunities within often untapped communities.

What is Inclusive Tourism?

Inclusive tourism is about ensuring that travel experiences are accessible and enjoyable for everyone. This involves tailoring services and facilities to meet a wide range of needs and making travel accessible to people with disabilities, the elderly, and others who may face barriers when traveling.Ensuring accessibility in tourism doesn't just involve physical accommodations. It's also about shaping experiences that cater to various needs. This involves offering services like audio guides, clear signage, or guided tours designed for diverse groups.

Inclusive tourism is a concept that integrates the needs of all people irrespective of their age, ability, or other circumstances, aiming to make travel safe, comfortable, and dignified for everyone.

Consider a hotel chain that implements inclusive tourism by designing rooms with wheelchair accessibility, providing menus in braille, and training staff with sign language skills. Such initiatives ensure a comprehensive approach, supporting various needs and promoting inclusive travel.

Did you know? By embracing inclusive tourism, destinations can tap into a market of over one billion people worldwide who have disabilities or limited mobility.

The economic impact of inclusive tourism is significant. A study by the European Network for Accessible Tourism found that travelers with accessibility needs take about 170 million trips annually within Europe. This segment of travelers often stays longer and spends more than average tourists. Moreover, as demographics shift towards older populations, the demand for inclusivity in tourism will only grow. Progress in inclusive tourism also contributes to broader goals such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 10, reducing inequalities, directly aligns with efforts made in inclusive tourism practices. As policies evolve to support these practices, tourism destinations globally are poised to benefit not only socially but also economically.

Inclusive Tourism Development

Inclusive tourism development focuses on integrating the diverse needs of travelers into the tourism sector. It encourages the design of infrastructure and services that accommodate all individuals, including those with disabilities and varying ages. This approach not only enhances overall visitor experience but also ensures equal opportunities for participation in travel and leisure activities.

Principles of Inclusive Tourism

Principles of inclusive tourism form the foundation for creating accessible travel options. These principles emphasize the importance of universal access, equity, and participation for everyone. Here are some of the key principles:

• Ensure accessibility by removing physical, sensory, and communication barriers.
• Promote equity by catering to individual needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all model.
• Foster participation through community engagement and feedback.
• Encourage collaboration between public and private sectors to create inclusive policies and practices.

Inclusive tourism is not just an ethical approach; it also drives economic growth by attracting a wider audience.

Inclusive tourism principles extend beyond mere compliance with legislation. They require ongoing commitment and creativity from service providers. For example, technology development such as apps that provide location-based descriptions or real-time language translation enhances experience for those with sensory impairments. The Catalan Tourist Board's 2022 report reveals destinations receive significant economic boons by prioritizing inclusivity, citing increased visitor returns, longer stays, and positive word-of-mouth recommendations as key factors driving financial gains. Moreover, cross-sector cooperation is essential. By collaborating with disability advocacy groups, tourism establishments can better understand and adopt necessary adjustments to meet specific accessibility needs.

Inclusive Tourism Policies

Creating comprehensive and effective inclusive tourism policies is crucial to fostering an inclusive environment. Policies should address accessibility, encourage stakeholder collaboration, and ensure ongoing evaluation and updates.Key aspects of inclusive tourism policies include:

• Regulatory frameworks ensuring accessibility standards are met across all sectors of tourism.
• Financial incentives and support for businesses enhancing their accessibility measures.
• Mandatory training programs for staff on inclusive practices and customer service .
• Consistent monitoring of service and facility standards through regular audits and feedback mechanisms.

Australia's National Visitor Survey emphasizes the benefits of inclusive policy. Tourism Australia offers guidance and resources to operators, fostering better service for diverse travelers. This proactive approach aligns with their policy to enrich travel accessibility, ensuring their status as a top inclusive destination.

Evaluating the success of inclusive tourism policies relies heavily on ongoing assessment strategies. Effective policies integrate innovative solutions and regular training. For instance, Spain's initiative on accessible hotels, which includes incentive programs to expand accessible room offerings, serves as a viable model for other nations.Moreover, engaging with international bodies like the United Nations on Sustainable Tourism Development Goals can bolster policy creation. By setting international standards and sharing best practices, countries can advance inclusive tourism on a global scale.Ultimately, successful implementation of inclusive tourism policies showcases a commitment to equity and diversity, resonating well with an increasingly conscientious global audience.

Inclusive Tourism Examples

Inclusive tourism showcases various examples where travel experiences are designed to be accessible and enjoyable for all. These examples highlight the steps that different sectors of the tourism industry are taking to embrace accessibility and inclusiveness.

Hotels and Accommodations

Many hotels worldwide have started adapting their facilities to support inclusive tourism . This includes actions such as:

• Providing rooms with wheelchair accessibility and shower handles.
• Offering menus in braille for visually impaired guests.
• Training staff in basic sign language to assist those with hearing impairments.
• Having elevators and ramps to accommodate guests with mobility challenges.

An example is the Scandic Hotel chain, renowned for its accessible rooms and inclusive features. Scandic Hotels have implemented solutions such as vibrating pillows for hearing-impaired guests and alarms with visual signals for emergencies. This commitment to inclusivity has set a benchmark in the hospitality industry.

Tourist Attractions

Tourist attractions have also incorporated inclusive practices to ensure all visitors can enjoy their experiences. These practices include:

• Accessible pathways and ramps at parks and historical sites .
• Captioned videos and audio guides for exhibits.
• Interactive displays for individuals with sensory impairments.

The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., offers extensive resources for inclusive tourism. It has designed special programs that provide tactile tours for visitors with vision loss, along with various braille and audio resources across their museums. The technology used in these facilities, such as virtual reality and touch-sensitive screens, further enriches the experience by catering to a diverse audience. This not only enhances accessibility but also increases engagement from various community segments.

Transport Services

Inclusive transportation is key in connecting travelers to their destinations. Many transport services have adopted measures like:

• Installing low-floor buses for easy access.
• Providing audio and visual announcements for the hearing and sight impaired.
• Ensuring accessible taxi services equipped to handle wheelchairs.

The Vienna International Airport has created an inclusive environment by offering assistance services for travelers with disabilities. It includes special counters for mobility-impaired passengers and support staff trained specifically to cater to diverse needs.

Effective inclusive tourism initiatives increase customer satisfaction and can lead to repeat visits, bolstering both local economies and global travel networks.

inclusive tourism - Key takeaways

• Inclusive Tourism Definition : It refers to travel practices catering to the diverse needs of all individuals, ensuring accessibility and enjoyment for everyone.
• Economic Impact : Inclusive tourism taps into a global market, driving financial growth by increasing visitor stays and spending.
• Inclusive Tourism Development : This involves integrating diverse traveler needs into tourism sector infrastructure and services.
• Principles of Inclusive Tourism : Emphasizes universal access, equity, participation, and collaboration to create accessible travel options.
• Inclusive Tourism Policies : Policies ensure accessibility standards, provide financial incentives, mandatory staff training , and consistent monitoring.
• Inclusive Tourism Examples : Includes adapting hotels, tourist attractions, and transportation services to be accessible for all, like Scandic Hotels and Smithsonian Institution.

Flashcards in inclusive tourism 24

Integrating diverse needs into tourism for equal participation.

Focusing only on luxurious amenities.

Helicopter tours and luxury suites only

Rooms with wheelchair accessibility and menus in braille

To remove barriers and provide equal access for everyone.

Offering only high-tech rooms without considering basic accessibility needs.

Learn with 24 inclusive tourism flashcards in the free Vaia app

We have 14,000 flashcards about Dynamic Landscapes.

Already have an account? Log in

Frequently Asked Questions about inclusive tourism

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards.

Join the Vaia App and learn efficiently with millions of flashcards and more!

Keep learning, you are doing great.

Discover learning materials with the free Vaia app

Vaia is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.

Team Hospitality and Tourism Teachers

Study anywhere. Anytime.Across all devices.

Create a free account to save this explanation..

Save explanations to your personalised space and access them anytime, anywhere!

By signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy of Vaia.

Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.

Join over 22 million students in learning with our Vaia App

The first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place

• Flashcards & Quizzes
• AI Study Assistant
• Study Planner
• Smart Note-Taking

Privacy Overview

Accessible and inclusive tourism

Find advice and resources to help your business provide all visitors a great experience in Scotland.

A great experience without barriers

Providing advice and support for inclusive practices.

Inclusive tourism ensures that all visitors can have a great time without any barriers or restrictions. It will improve the tourism experience for a wide range of customers who may need specific adjustments or facilities. These include disabled people, seniors, families with young children, and those with a medical condition.

Find some top tips, advice, and resources to help make your offering more inclusive and accessible to all. The following are five key focus areas of inclusive tourism development:

customer service

information provision

inclusive design

inclusive events

social tourism

In this section

Improving your customer service.

Find training resources and advice to help improve your customer service for all visitors.

Enhancing your information provision

Discover the importance of promoting your accessibility and how it can benefit your business.

Social tourism schemes

Find out how your business can support social tourism activities and initiatives across Scotland.

Sustainable and accessible events

Find out how to deliver a sustainable and accessible event in Scotland, using our useful guides.

Coming soon

We are currently developing the following new content:

inclusive environments

hosting inclusive events

Do you have any questions about this or any of our accessible and inclusive tourism information? Please email our inclusive tourism team.

Benefits of accessible and inclusive tourism

Increased revenue.

Disabled and senior travellers spend significantly more when they go on holiday than other market groups.

Increased loyalty

Inclusive businesses have higher occupancy rates. They also have a more loyal customer base who is keen to recommend them to their family and friends.

Increased demand

The market is set to increase as the UK’s population ages. The benefits for businesses and destinations catering for inclusive tourism are also growing.

Customer satisfaction

Becoming more inclusive can make life easier for a wide range of customers. Think of:

• people with hearing loss, mental or visual impairments
• wheelchair users
• senior travellers
• families with young children

Did you know?

One in four

people in the UK have a disability or an impairment

£274 billion

the spending power of disabled people to the UK economy

higher spend by senior travellers on leisure and hospitality than other age group

of all disabilities are non-visible

Sources: Family Resources Survey 2022-2023; Scope, Barclays, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme 2022

Learning from other businesses

Browse our case studies from across Scotland.

The Royal Yacht Britannia | Case study

Learn how The Royal Yacht Britannia is putting inclusive tourism at the heart of everything they do.

#TourismForceForGood | Mackintosh at the Willow

Tourism as a force for good | Find out about how Mackintosh at the Willow is expanding its tour offering to provide an inclusive experience.

Connection denied by Geolocation Setting.

Reason: Blocked country: Russia

The connection was denied because this country is blocked in the Geolocation settings.

Please contact your administrator for assistance.

Welcome to IN-TOUR, an EU-funded project on accessibility training for tourism professionals. We make tourism more Accessible and Inclusive across Europe!

Highlights from the Final Conference

Inclusive Tourism professions

To make tourism more inclusive, the IN-TOUR project define two levels of Inclusive Tourism professions; Inclusive Tourism Manager and Inclusive Tourism Frontline Staff.

In-Tour training modules

To make tourism more inclusive, the IN-TOUR project has developed accessibility training modules. The modules form an EU curriculum that can be adapted to the needs of the different Member States.

It’s been a record-setting year for global travel – here’s how we make tourism inclusive and sustainable

Inclusive and sustainable travel and tourism includes supporting micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses. Image:  Unsplash/Michael Barón

.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:hover,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:focus,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);} Nicola Villa

.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;color:#2846F8;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{font-size:1.125rem;}} Get involved .chakra .wef-9dduvl{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-9dduvl{font-size:1.125rem;}} with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale

• The global travel sector is experiencing a robust recovery, with tourists increasingly spending more on travel.
• Despite the overall positive outlook, some destinations struggle with operational challenges, including workforce issues and resource management amid rising tourist numbers and environmental concerns.
• The travel and tourism sector’s potential for advancing socio-economic prosperity is particularly impactful through the support of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises.

The global travel sector forecast is in and it's sunny skies ahead. Through March 2024, consumer spending on travel remains strong, and passenger traffic has soared. Empowered by a strong labour market worldwide, tourists will be on the roads, air and seas once again, with more of people’s budgets on travel.

The latest report from the Mastercard Economics Institute, Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries , reveals that 2024 has already witnessed multiple record-setting days as consumer spending on leisure travel remains strong. The data shows that post-pandemic travellers continue to seek unique experiences rooted in local cultures while increasingly prioritizing spending on memorable events across sports, music and festivals.

The Mastercard Economics Institute’s analysis reveals that travellers also seek opportunities to extend their stays, prioritizing leisure for longer. For the first 12 months between March 2019 and February 2020, a trip’s average length of stay was about four days. As of March 2024, the average length of a leisure trip has edged closer to five days, which translates into an economic boost for the destinations and communities hosting them.

Have you read?

These are the top 10 countries for travel and tourism, what is travel and tourism’s role in future global prosperity, travel & tourism development index 2024, tackling tourism’s challenges.

Yet, while the overall outlook for travellers looks bright, that’s not the case for all destinations. Some tourism hotspots and lesser-known locales are facing growing challenges around operating conditions. The World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024 highlights the ongoing constraints facing the global travel and tourism sector – including the lack of investment in skilled and resilient workforces and issues around resource management – cultural and natural – as destinations grapple with higher tourist visitor numbers and rising environmental concerns.

The report offers travel and tourism decision-makers recommendations around how the sector can take a more active role in tackling social challenges across socio-economic prosperity, peace and cultural exchange. As the industry accounts for approximately one-tenth of global gross domestic product and employment , the public and private sectors must work together to ensure future tourism development is, first and foremost, inclusive and sustainable.

Supporting the backbone of travel and tourism

As the TTDI 2024 notes, one area where the sector’s potential in advancing socio-economic prosperity can be particularly impactful is in the economic empowerment of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, more than 80% of travel and tourism businesses fall under this category.

Policies and investments promoting the adoption of digital solutions and enhancing digital skills development while improving access to credit can provide a major boost to tourism-focused MSMEs.

In Costa Rica, the Instituto Costariccense de Turismo, a member of Mastercard’s Tourism Innovation Hub , is championing such an approach to ensure increased tourist traffic results in better opportunities for MSMEs. Last year, the institute launched Tico Treasures , a platform facilitating tourist connections with Costa Rica’s Crafts with Identity programme, a group of 17 artisan collectives across the country. The platform allows visitors to discover local Costa Rican products, learn about artisan communities and then purchase and ship the goods back to their home country – all through one experience.

The programme is an example of public-private collaboration, including backing from Correos de Costa Rica, Banco de Costa Rica and the Instituto Costariccense de Turismo. Its objectives are multifold: delivering more authentic experiences for tourists, expanding citizens’ access to the digital economy and contributing to MSME resilience.

Protecting future environments

There are also novel approaches to solving destinations’ sustainability challenges underway. A key role of the Travel Foundation , a global non-government organization, is to facilitate innovative public-private collaborations in tourism that accelerate and scale sustainable solutions. One notable example is in Scotland, where the national tourism organization VisitScotland is partnering with the Travel Corporation, a global tour operator, to help decarbonize the destination supply chain. Both organizations are pooling their insights, data and expertise to support local businesses, develop new ideas for reducing carbon footprints and identify barriers to a green transition.

The learnings from this and other projects led by the Travel Foundation will be shared to influence future policy, investment and product development decisions at national and global levels. By combining public sector resources and capabilities with private sector technological expertise, travel and tourism decision-makers can enact policies and programmes that balance tourism growth with environmental protection, providing a nuanced approach that works for unique destinations.

It’s an important time for the sector – to leverage travel and tourism’s robust recovery and advance socio-economic prosperity, fuelling a more inclusive future for our treasured destinations. By accelerating collaboration between governments, destination management organizations and technology companies, we can ensure destinations, the communities that power them and the environments they inhabit are at the heart of all future tourism development.

Don't miss any update on this topic

Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

The Agenda .chakra .wef-n7bacu{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-weight:400;} Weekly

A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda

.chakra .wef-1dtnjt5{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;} More on Trade and Investment .chakra .wef-17xejub{-webkit-flex:1;-ms-flex:1;flex:1;justify-self:stretch;-webkit-align-self:stretch;-ms-flex-item-align:stretch;align-self:stretch;} .chakra .wef-zh0r2a{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;white-space:normal;vertical-align:middle;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:0.75rem;border-radius:0.25rem;font-weight:700;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;line-height:1.2;-webkit-letter-spacing:1.25px;-moz-letter-spacing:1.25px;-ms-letter-spacing:1.25px;letter-spacing:1.25px;background:none;padding:0px;color:#B3B3B3;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;}@media screen and (min-width:37.5rem){.chakra .wef-zh0r2a{font-size:0.875rem;}}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-zh0r2a{font-size:1rem;}} See all

How digital nomads can transform tourism and the economy of Small Island Developing States

Pedro Lopes

October 17, 2024

AI regulation necessary to avoid trade frictions and other international trade stories to know this month

Mingcong Li

October 11, 2024

Why AI is the new frontier global trade must learn to cross

Patrick McMaster

October 9, 2024

What are National Trade Facilitation Committees and how can they help improve global supply chains?

Philippe Isler

Strengthening the Gender Dimension in the Trade Policy Review Mechanism

Digital Assets Regulation: Insights from Jurisdictional Approaches

Inclusive Tourism, a Cultural Paradigm Shift in Approaching Tourism Development

• First Online: 06 October 2022

Cite this chapter

• Ingrid Molderez 5 &
• Kavindya Perera 5 , 6  

Part of the book series: Contributions to Management Science ((MANAGEMENT SC.))

337 Accesses

2 Citations

In this paper, the purpose is to highlight another concept of inclusive tourism than what is usually understood as “inclusiveness.” Despite its very specific meaning: tourism is accessible to everybody by taking away the barriers that prevent a person from enjoying tourism, inclusiveness is much broader than only focussing on the demand side. The supply side of inclusive tourism stresses the underprivileged providers of tourism in the Base/Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) areas. The paper is rather conceptual and describes the relevance of the BOP frameworks with respect to tourism. Research has shown that the most inspiring cases can be found where the two criteria of entrepreneurship and co-inventor meet. However, not many cases in the tourism sector can be found here. This approach of tourism is important because entrepreneurs are appreciated due to their capabilities. They develop tourism models from their perspective, in contradiction to models that focus on applying western business perspectives. The local community is involved because their skills and motivation for participation are central. Local people become a change agent and a developer for a greater understanding of their local culture which leads to positive contributions such as the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage. This approach of inclusive tourism is illustrated by the Hiriwaduna Village Tour in Sri Lanka. Despite the importance of this model, cases in the tourism sector are rare. This underlines the fact that the tourism sector is still too much seen from the demand side of the tourists and does not include enough input on how local people would like to develop their community into a flourishing and self-reliant one.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save.

• Get 10 units per month
• Download Article/Chapter or eBook
• 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
• Cancel anytime
• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Success in Progress? Tourism as a Tool for Inclusive Development in Peru’s Colca Valley

The Process of Tourism Transition and the Tourism Social Contract in Indigenous Territory: The Case of the Nova Esperança Indigenous Community (Rio Cuieiras, Brazil)

The Evolution of Sustainable Tourism in Asia

Arellano, A. (2011). Tourism in poor regions and social inclusion: The porters of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. World Leisure Journal, 53 (2), 104–118. https://doi.org/10.1080/04419057.2011.580551

Article   Google Scholar  

Ashley, C., Haysom, G., & Spenceley, A. (2008). The development impacts of tourism supply chains: Increasing impact on poverty and decreasing our ignorance. In A. Spenceley (Ed.), Responsible tourism: Critical issues for conservation and development (pp. 129–156). Routledge.

Google Scholar  

Bandara, J. S. (2019). Tourism in post-conflict development: Making use of new opportunities in Sri Lanka. In D. Weerakoon & S. Jayasuriya (Eds.), Managing domestic and international challenges and opportunities in post-conflict development: Lessons from Sri Lanka (pp. 173–194). Springer.

Chapter   Google Scholar  

Biddulph, R. (2018). Social Enterprise and inclusive tourism. Five cases in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Tourism Geographies, 20 (4), 610–629. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2017.1417471

Burchardt, T., Le Grand, J., & Piachaud, D. (2002). Introduction. In J. Hills, J. Le Grand, & D. Piachaud (Eds.), Understanding social exclusion . Oxford University Press.

Buultjens, J., Ratnayake, I., & Gnanapala, A. (2016a). Whale watching in Sri Lanka: Perceptions of sustainability. Tourism Management Perspectives, 18 , 125–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2016.02.003

Buultjens, J., Ratnayake, I., & Gnanapala, A. (2016b). Post-conflict tourism development in Sri Lanka: Implications for building resilience. Current Issues in Tourism, 19 (4), 355–372.

Buvinic, M. (2004). Introduction: Social inclusion in Latin America. In M. Buvinic, J. Mazza, & R. Deutsch (Eds.), Social inclusion and economic development in Latin America (pp. 3–31). InterAmerican Development Bank.

Cañeque, F. C., & Hart, S. (Eds.). (2015). Base of the pyramid 3.0: Sustainable development through innovation and entrepreneurship . Greenleaf Publishing Limited.

Chmielewski, D. A., Dembek, K., & Beckett, J. R. (2020). Business unusual: Building BoP 3.0. Journal of Business Ethics, 161 (1), 211–229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-018-3938-7

Chinyowa, K. C. (2015). Participation as ‘repressive myth’: A case study of the interactive Themba theatre organisation in South Africa. Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, 20 (1), 12–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/13569783.2014.975109

Commission of the European Communities. (2003). Joint report on social inclusion: Social security and social integration . European Communities. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/social_inclusion/docs/final_joint_inclusion_report_2003_en.pdf

Godley, A. C. (2014). Creativity and growth. In Edmund Phelps (2013), Mass flourishing. How grassroots innovation created jobs, challenge and change. International Journal of the Economics of Business, 21 (2), 255–260. https://doi.org/10.1080/13571516.2014.919737

Golja, T., & Požega, S. (2012). Inclusive business - What it is all about? Managing inclusive companies. International Review of Management and Marketing, 2 (1), 22–42.

Gibson, C. (2009). Geographies of tourism: Critical research on capitalism and local livelihoods. Progress in Human Geography, 33 (4), 527–534. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132508099797

Hall, J., Matos, S., Sheehan, L., & Silvestre, B. (2012). Entrepreneurship and innovation at the base of the pyramid: A recipe for inclusive growth or social exclusion? Journal of Management Studies, 49 (4), 785–812. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2012.01044.x

Harrison, D. (Ed.). (1992). Tourism and the less developed countries . Belhaven Press.

Hegarty, D. (2006). Satisfying a burning need. Password Phillips Research Technology Magazine, 28 , 28–31.

Hughes, E., & Scheyvens, R. (2016). Corporate social responsibility in tourism post-2015: A development first approach. Tourism Geographies, 18 (5), 469–482. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2016.1208678

Hunt, J., Lane, P., & Farris, J. (2010). The lesson of Miss Arlene’s oven: Entrepreneurship at the base of the economic pyramid. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 14 , 85–110.

Hunzicker, W. (1951). Social tourism: Its nature and problems . International Tourists Alliance Scientific Commission.

International Labor Organization (ILO). (2016, May 17). Sustainable tourism: A driving force of job creation, economic growth and development . Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_480824/lang%2D%2Den/index.htm

Jamal, T., & Camargo, B. A. (2014). Sustainable tourism, justice and an ethic of care: Toward the just destination. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 22 (1), 11–30.

Jancovich, L. (2017). The participation myth. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 23 (1), 107–121. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2015.1027698

Jayasuriya, S., & Weerakoon, D. (2019). Introduction: Challenges and opportunities of Sri Lanka’s post-conflict economic development overview. In D. Weerakoon & S. Jayasuriya (Eds.), Managing domestic and international challenges and opportunities in post-conflict development. South Asia economic and policy studies (pp. 1–12). Springer.

Karnani, A. (2007). The mirage of marketing to the bottom of the pyramid. How the private sector can help alleviate poverty. California Management Review, 49 (4), 90–111. https://doi.org/10.2307/41166407

Kakoudakis, K. I., McCabe, S., & Story, V. (2017). Social tourism and self-efficacy: Exploring links between tourism participation, job-seeking and unemployment. Annals of Tourism Research, 65 , 108–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2017.05.005

Kolk, A., Rivera-Santos, M., & Rufin, C. (2014). Reviewing a decade of research on the “base/bottom of the pyramid” (BOP) concept. Business & Society, 53 (3), 338–377. https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650312474928

Lange, A., Hüsig, S., & Albert, M. (2021). How frugal innovation and inclusive business are linked to tackle low-income markets. Journal of Small Business Management , 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2021.1924380 .

Leblanc, D. (2015). Towards integration at last? The sustainable development goals as a network of targets. Sustainable Development, 23 (3), 176–187. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.1582

Maalaoui, A., Ratten, V., Heilbrunn, S., Brannback, M., & Kraus, S. (2020). Disadvantage entrepreneurship: Decoding a new area of research. European Management Review, 17 (3), 663–668. https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12424

Marasinghe, S., Perera, P., Simpson, G. D., & Newsome, D. (2021). Nature-based tourism development. In Coastal Wetlands of Sri Lanka: An importance–performance analysis at Maduganga Mangrove Estuary. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 33 , 100345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2020.100345 .

McCabe, S., & Qiao, G. (2020). A review of research into social tourism: Launching the annals of tourism research curated collection on social tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 85 , 103103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.103103

Molderez, I. (2021). Corporate social responsibility and the sustainable development goals (SDGs). In W. L. Filho, A. M. Azul, L. Brandli, A. Lange Salvia, & T. Wall (Eds.), Decent work and economic growth. Encyclopedia of the UN sustainable development goals (pp. 116–128). Springer.

Morgan, H. M. (2020). Underdog entrepreneurs: A framework of success for marginalized and minority innovators . Springer International Publishing.

Book   Google Scholar  

Münch, H., & Ulrich, R. (2011). Inclusive tourism. In A. Papathanassis (Ed.), The long tail of tourism (pp. 159–169). Springer Nature.

Ohe, Y. (2019). Community-based rural tourism and entrepreneurship . Springer Pte. Limited.

Pasanchay, K., & Schott, C. (2021). Community-based tourism Homestays’ capacity to advance the sustainable development goals: A holistic sustainable livelihood perspective. Tourism Management Perspectives, 37 , 100784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2020.100784

Pascariu, G. C., Cehan, A., & Branzila, C. (2022). International tourism regionalization: Major trends and shock disruption. Transylvania Revue , special issue 2022 (forthcoming).

Peredo, A. M., & Chrisman, J. J. (2006). Toward a theory of community-based enterprise. Academy of Management Review, 31 (2), 309–328. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2006.20208683

Phelps, E. (2013). Mass flourishing: How grassroots innovation created jobs, challenge, and change . Princeton University Press.

Prahalad, C. K. (2005). The fortune at the bottom of the pyramid: Eradicating poverty through profits . Wharton School Publishing.

Prahalad, C., & Hart, S. (1999). Strategies for the bottom of the pyramid: Creating sustainable development (1–26). Ann Arbor.

Prahalad, C. K., & Hart, S. (2002). The fortune at the bottom of the pyramid. Strategy+Business, 26 , 54–67.

Priatmoko, S., Kabil, M., Purwoko, Y., & Dávid, L. D. (2021). Rethinking sustainable community-based tourism: A villager’s point of view and case study in Pampang Village, Indonesia. Sustainability, 13 (6), 3245.

PwC. (2015). Make it your business: Engaging with the sustainable development goals . Retrieved from http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/sustainability/SDG/SDG%20Research_FINAL.pdf

Ranasinghe, R., & Cheng, L. (2018). Tourism-induced mobilities and transformation of indigenous cultures: Where is the Vedda Community in Sri Lanka Heading to? Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 16 (5), 521–538. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766825.2017.1393081

Rahman, M., Bose, S., Babu, M. M., Dey, B. L., Roy, S. K., & Binsardi, B. (2019). Value co-creation as a dialectical process: Study in Bangladesh and Indian Province of West Bengal. Information Systems Frontiers, 21 (3), 527–545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-019-09902-4

Richards, G. (2018). Cultural tourism: A review of recent research and trends. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 36 , 12–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2018.03.005

Rifai, T. (2017). Travel and tourism competitiveness report 2017: Tourism and job creation – Advancing the 2030 agenda . World economic forum. Retrieved from https://reports.weforum.org/travel-and-tourism-competitiveness-report-2017/tourism-and-job-creation-advancing-the-2030-development-agenda/

Rosca, E., Reedy, J., & Bendul, J. C. (2017). Does frugal innovation enable sustainable development? A systematic literature review. European Journal of Development Research, 30 (1), 136–157. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-017-0106-3

Sacco, P. L. (2011). Culture 3.0: A new perspective for the EU 2014-2020 structural funds programming . Report for the OMC working group on cultural and creative industries. Retrieved from http://archive.interarts.net/descargas/interarts2577.pdf

Sacco, P. L., Ferilli, G., & Blessi, G. T. (2018). From culture 1.0 to culture 3.0: Three socio-technical regimes of social and economic value creation through culture, and their impact on European cohesion policies. Sustainability, 10 (11), 3923. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113923 .

Scheyvens, R. (2006). Sun, sand, and Beach Fale: Benefiting from backpackers-the Samoan way. Tourism Recreation Research, 31 (3), 75–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2006.11081507

Scheyvens, R. (2011). Tourism and poverty . Routledge.

Scheyvens, R., & Biddulph, R. (2018). Inclusive tourism development. Tourism Geographies, 20 (4), 589–609. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2017.1381985

Schindler, E. M. (2022). Structuring people: The myth of participation and the organisation of civil society in development . Springer Fachmedien.

Schott, C., & Nhem, S. (2018). Paths to the market: Analysing tourism distribution channels for community-based tourism. Tourism Recreation Research, 43 (3), 356–371. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2018.1447837

Simanis, E., & Hart, S. (2008). The base of the pyramid Protocol: Toward Next Generation BoP Strategy . https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.5097.0402 .

Timothy, D. J. (2007). Empowerment and stakeholder participation in tourism destination communities. In T. C. Andrew Church (Ed.), Power and space (pp. 203–216). Routledge.

United Nations (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development . United Nations Publications. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/resources/report/transforming-our-world-2030-agenda-sustainable-development

United Nations (2019). International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, 2021 . Retrieved from https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3835223?ln=en#record-files-collapse-header

Walmsley, A. (2012). Decent work and tourism wages: An international comparison. Progress in Responsible Tourism, 2 (1), 90–99.

Wang, J.-H., & Wang, S.-Y. (2019). Indigenous social policy and social inclusion in Taiwan. Sustainability, 11 (12), 3458. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11123458

Weerasinghe, I. (2018). Tour Operators’ role in product diversification for enhancing visitor satisfaction: a case study of Hiriwadunna Village Tour, Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Conference paper for Tourism Leaders’ Summit (TLS) and International Tourism Research Conference (ITRC) - 2018, At: BMICH, Colombo. Journal of Tourism Economics and Applied Research, 1 (1). Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/70130/4679 . https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328161673_TOUR_OPERATORS'_ROLE_IN_PRODUCT_DIVERSIFICATION_FOR_ENHANCING_VISITOR_SATISFACTION_A_CASE_STUDY_OF_HIRIWADUNNA_VILLAGE_TOUR_DAMBULLA_SRI_LANKA

Wei, X. (2021). The geography and remote sensing analysis of Sri Lanka . Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4627-7 .

World Tourism Organization. (2018). Global report on inclusive tourism destinations – Model and success stories . UNWTO. https://doi.org/10.18111/9789284420094 .

Yurdakul, D., Atik, D., & Dholakia, N. (2017). Redefining the bottom of the pyramid from a marketing perspective. Marketing Theory, 17 (3), 289–303. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470593117704265

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the reviewers for their very supportive comments and Prof. Dr. Carina Branzila, University of Iasi, Romania, for her valuable feedback.

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business, CEDON (Centre for Economics and Sustainable Entrepreneurship), Brussels, Belgium

Ingrid Molderez & Kavindya Perera

Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Kavindya Perera

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ingrid Molderez .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

Link Campus University, Rome, Italy

Elena Borin

University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy

Mara Cerquetti

Faculty of Humanities, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain

Marta Crispí

Judith Urbano

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Molderez, I., Perera, K. (2022). Inclusive Tourism, a Cultural Paradigm Shift in Approaching Tourism Development. In: Borin, E., Cerquetti, M., Crispí, M., Urbano, J. (eds) Cultural Leadership in Transition Tourism. Contributions to Management Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14121-8_15

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14121-8_15

Published : 06 October 2022

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-031-14120-1

Online ISBN : 978-3-031-14121-8

eBook Packages : Literature, Cultural and Media Studies Literature, Cultural and Media Studies (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

Share this content.

• Share this article on facebook
• Share this article on twitter
• Share this article on linkedin

Global Report on Inclusive Tourism Destinations: Model and success stories

• Middle East

Together with the UNWTO Affiliate Members Department, Affiliate Member  globaldit  is launching the  Global Report on Inclusive Tourism Destinations: Model and Success Stories. 

The   Global Report on Inclusive Tourism Destinations: Model and Success Stories  presents a model for inclusive tourism which  refers to the capacity of tourism  to integrate disadvantaged groups so that they can  participate in, and benefit from, tourism activity. The report showcases how tourism can function as a vehicle for sustainable development and the reduction of poverty and inequality in the context of the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report  highlights  the need to foster discussion on and examine new  approaches to inclusive tourism in order to drive long-term  sustainability in the sector.  The Model for inclusive tourism destinations presented in this  Global Report is a formula for practical and realistic public  action that can be applied to different types of destinations.  It is a path towards inclusion that is adaptable, modular  and scalable, and facilitates the transformation of tourism  models towards socially and economically inclusive models.

Related Content

Regional report on women in tourism in the middle east, global report on public-private partnerships: tourism d..., global report on shopping tourism, global report on the meetings industry.

Grow your Business Create Social Impact

Accessibility is a central element of any responsible and sustainable tourism policy. it is both a human rights imperative, and an exceptional business opportunity.  unwto (2013), …accessibility is not a “favour” to visitors but rather a game-changer for businesses, helping them to combat the effects of covid-19   unwto (2020).

We are qualified Disability Access Consultants specialising in the Tourism Sector.  We have extensive experience that brings real benefits to our clients. We understand the on-the-ground environment of tourism operators as well as the local government and state/territory-based tourism within which they work. 

We work in a collaborative way to create a more inclusive tourism industry, where people with disabilities, their families and friends are able to enjoy the same experiences as any other traveller. We think outside the box to achieve the best results, making destinations and businesses more accessible for more people.

Who we work with

We work with Government at all levels; State tourism, Local Councils and Destination Management Organisations. We work with Tourism businesses, small, medium and large. We support operators  to build on existing assets to make them accessible to more people whilst increasing the bottom line.

Our Services

Marketing & Communications

Our Clients include

Case studies.

Sapphire Coast Tourism Future

Our latest insights.

Bellingen Shire’s Inclusive Tourism Strategy Wins Excellence Award

Inclusive Tourism Strategy wins 2022 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards for Organisational Diversity and Inclusion

Riverside Resort Urunga Wins Gold Again!

Congratulations to our friends at Riverside Resort Urunga! Winners of the Excellence in Accessible Tourism category for the second year in a row.

Making Your Business More Accessible

You can get some tips on making your business more accessible by watching this 30 minute panel discussion hosted by Giovanna Lever of Sparrowly Group.

Managing tourism development for sustainable and inclusive recovery

• Industry, business and entrepreneurship
• Regional, rural and urban development
• Multi-level governance

Select a language

Cite this content as:.

Despite the significant negative impacts of COVID-19 on tourism, the crisis is providing an opportunity to rethink tourism for the future. Achieving this greener and more sustainable tourism recovery, calls for a greater policy focus on the environmental and socio-cultural pillars of sustainability. The paper focuses on five main pillars of policy solutions, and best practices, to help destinations rebuild and flourish in this dramatically changed policy context for tourism development. Recommended policy solutions aim to: i) rethink tourism success, ii) adopt an integrated policy-industry-community approach, iii) mainstream sustainable policies and practices, iv) develop more sustainable tourism business models, and v) implement better measure to better manage. The report presents a selection of 9 case studies on destination strategies to support a sustainable and inclusive recovery.

In the same series

Related publications

• Tourism Trends and Policies: Policy Highlights French 26 September 2024
• Executive summary in French - Regional Governance and Public Investment in Wales, United Kingdom 24 September 2024
• Executive summary in Welsh - Regional Governance and Public Investment in Wales, United Kingdom 20 September 2024

• Launch presentation: OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2024 8 July 2024

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Matthew Ray A more inclusive workforce in tourism means happier colleagues and customers

LAST UPDATE | 22 Oct

IT’S 2024, AND “inclusivity” has become one of the top priorities businesses aim to feature in their annual manifestos.

Interestingly, in my previous roles, I never gave much thought to whom inclusivity truly applies. I had always assumed that my workplace — and many others — were already “inclusive.” After all, we hired lots of women, and people from different cultures, so what more could there be?

What I hadn’t fully considered were the opportunities available for individuals with different abilities, and the learning processes required to help them thrive. And the immense benefits that an inclusive environment brings not just to them, but to everyone in the workplace.

A hotel is like a small self-contained ecosystem, very much like a ship whereby everyone has their part to play, one colleague’s actions directly affect those of another and of course, the guests, without whom the industry would collapse.

Just like any ecosystem we rely on tolerance, acceptance and efficiency for things to work and historically speed, accuracy and standards were the order of the day. 

I don’t believe anything has changed in that respect however in a rapidly changing world and a constant squeeze on finances, I believe it is our people who set us apart, it’s our people who make the “Service Industry”. A beer tastes the same at home as in the bar, but it just isn’t the same – it’s the people in service who make the visit worthwhile.

Inclusivity and Down Syndrome Ireland

Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) has long been the charity partner of The Inua Collection and The Radisson Blu Sligo, with money raised through initiatives each year going to assist the charity in its work.

Where DSI really stands out in my mind, is through its DSI National Employment Programme, whereby they work “to break down barriers and change low employment rates that adults with Down Syndrome experience”. Something that I feel we as a business are contributing towards in ways that aren’t just monetary.

As Aoife Gaffney, Head of Employment, DSI states: “Employment has a substantial impact on the person with Down Syndrome. It helps improve confidence, increase social connectivity and promote integration into the local community. It gives the person an opportunity and the ability to contribute to their local community and become a valued member of society.”

I mean, who doesn’t want to feel valued?

How it works

It’s quite simple really, at the programme’s inception, before my tenure here at the property with the assistance of DSI and its National Employment Programme, interviews were held with potential candidates for roles in the hotel. Mentors were allocated, and induction packs were drawn up – tailored to the needs of our new colleagues. Fun, clear, specific workbooks for successful employment ensued. Followed by hard work and, of course, fair payment.

Just like any role, task or person, there are some things that one enjoys and some that may be more challenging or less enjoyable and it is important to recognise that and navigate the challenges as they arise – to adapt and overcome as it were.

Each colleague is different with different skill sets and abilities and I believe in simply coaching the player, not the game. 

That means sometimes extra communication is required, sometimes someone needs to ask more questions, sometimes close management is required and then autonomy is the way to go – just like all of us.

Through my last three years here, working alongside colleagues on the DSI National Employment Programme I’ve discussed tasks that are fun and those that are not so fun with our DSI colleagues – a little secret, in the world of work, not liking something is not an excuse for not doing it — and throughout that time I’ve seen our colleagues learn and grow in their roles, switch to more suitable roles, take on new responsibility and make a large cohort of new friends whom can be relied on to help, advise and poke fun when required/deserved.

And the impact

Well, from the guests, tourism’s number one priority, I hear no complaints of service or of poor standards whatsoever. This is a win and is to be celebrated. For the hotel, we have three new colleagues completing the work we require of them, which is also a win. 

For our DSI colleagues, the roles bring great pay, great benefits and great friends. I believe that’s also a win. Is this visible proof that the scheme can work in the tourism sector, with further room for a truly inclusive workforce? Absolutely. 

Matthew Ray is the people and culture manager at the Radisson Blu in Sligo.

If you want to find out more about building stronger and more inclusive workplaces, check out  Fáilte Ireland’s Recruitment Toolkit.   

To discover exciting career opportunities in tourism, visit tourismcareers.ie .

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

To embed this post, copy the code below on your site

600px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/inclusion-in-the-tourism-industry-6480144-Oct2024/?embedpost=6480144&width=600&height=460" ></iframe>

400px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/inclusion-in-the-tourism-industry-6480144-Oct2024/?embedpost=6480144&width=400&height=460" ></iframe>

300px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/inclusion-in-the-tourism-industry-6480144-Oct2024/?embedpost=6480144&width=300&height=460" ></iframe>

Create an email alert based on the current article