Fifteen companies and institutions participate in the tourist accessibility course in Torroella de Montgrí

The training consisted of two theoretical classes and two practical workshops within the framework of the Baix Empordà Tourist Accessibility Plan.

Participants in the tourist accessibility course

The Mediterranean Museum in Torroella de Montgrí hosted on Tuesday the culmination of a tourist accessibility course , which aimed to raise awareness and sensitize the public and private sectors of Baix Empordà about the importance of considering accessibility in their tourism planning and management. The training, developed over 4 sessions during the month of March, combined theory and practice. The theory was taught by the director architect of Rovira-Beleta Accessibilidad SLP and professor responsible for the Accessibility Area of ​​the School of Architecture UIC Barcelona, ​​Enrique Rovira Beleta .

Participants from all areas of tourism activity

This edition of the course had a total of fifteen participants from the following sectors: accommodation (campsites, rural houses and hotels), catering, nautical activity companies and technicians from tourist offices, museums and beaches. Some of the practical activities that were developed proposed going around the municipality in wheelchairs to test the accessibility of Torroella de Montgrí, the attendees also covered their eyes and walked with canes in order to put themselves in the shoes of people with visual impairments and they also practiced Catalan sign language. With these dynamics, the aim was to make the attendees feel the need and importance of working well on accessibility without thinking only about the removal of architectural barriers and without thinking only about physical disability but also about sensory disability such as visual or auditory. The workshops were carried out by the MIFAS entities, the Visual Disability Association of Catalonia B1+B2+B3 and also the company Multisignes .

Highlighting Torroella and l’Estartit as an accessible destination

These trainings are part of the Baix Empordà Tourist Accessibility Plan , a project promoted by the Tourism Department of the Regional Council , which aims to highlight the region as an accessible destination and generate a new differential and qualitative value in the tourist competitiveness offered by the region. Before the awarding of diplomas to thank the participants for their participation and the interest shown by the municipality of Torroella de Montgrí – l’Estartit in promoting inclusive tourism, some theoretical concepts were reviewed. Technical staff from the Baix Empordà Regional Council explained what the Tourist Accessibility Plan consists of to encourage participants to join.

Involvement of institutions and the business sector

The vice-president and regional councilor for Tourism and Economic Promotion, Xavier Dilmé , after thanking the involvement and collaboration of the Torroella de Montgrí – l’Estartit City Council, remarked that “from the Regional Council we are clearly committed to inclusive tourism and we appreciate the work that is being done by the Torroella City Council to promote an accessible tourist offer for all audiences. Accessibility must be one of the distinctive features of the region’s offer and, to make it a reality, the involvement of all the sectors that have been part of the course is necessary.” For her part, the councilor of the Torroella-l’Estartit-Illes Medes Tourist Destination, Dúnia Oliveras , thanked the initiative and commitment of the Regional Council to promote accessible tourism in the region and also the sensitivity shown by the people who participated in the training in order to adapt their businesses and initiatives and train themselves to provide a better service to people who visit the municipality.