Accessible tourism: the European project “OPEN DOORS” launches from Catania to make travel truly inclusive for all

A project lasting 18 months will also involve Poland and Portugal, aiming to develop tourism offerings accessible to people with disabilities.

Across Europe, millions of people with disabilities still face obstacles when trying to travel. These challenges are not limited to architectural barriers, but also include difficulties in accessing information, services, and hospitality. Making tourism truly inclusive means rethinking the entire travel experience, from booking to visiting cultural sites.

With this goal in mind, OPEN DOORS – Building Accessibility in European Tourism was launched. This European project is funded by the Erasmus+ programme – Key Action 2 (KA210-VET) – and aims to develop strategies and skills for more accessible and inclusive tourism across Europe.

The project is coordinated by the Sicilian company Forma.Lab, with partners including CRESAÇOR – Azores for All (Portugal) and the Polish Farm Advisory and Training Centre (Poland), combining expertise in vocational training, inclusive tourism, and territorial development.

The first meeting took place yesterday at Forma.Lab’s Catania headquarters, featuring a roundtable that brought together stakeholders from the tourism sector. Representatives from trade associations, tourism operators, and organizations involved in the city’s cultural promotion participated, including CNA Catania, Officine Culturali Social Cooperative, University of Catania, Neolithic Evolution, Hi.stories Srl, and Fil Rouge Project.

The initiative was conceived as a space for listening and dialogue, to gather needs, challenges, and concrete experiences regarding accessibility in tourism. The insights collected will inform the next phases of the project, helping to develop training paths and operational tools for sector operators.

Over the 18-month duration of OPEN DOORS, 90 European tourism professionals – 30 from each partner country – will receive dedicated training in accessible tourism. Tour guides, accommodation providers, travel agencies, and other sector professionals will participate in a program designed to strengthen practical skills in universal accessibility, inclusive hospitality, and the creation of tourism experiences accessible to people with disabilities or specific needs.

The project will also include research activities, the development of operational tools, and public discussion events in the three partner countries, with the aim of promoting the exchange of best practices and contributing to the improvement of the quality and inclusiveness of European tourism offerings.