UN Tourism joins AWE in delivering practical solutions for more accessible and inclusive tourism businesses

UN Tourism announced a partnership with the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE), backed by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to deliver practical guidelines for accessible and inclusive tourism businesses.

Guidelines Released:
Practical steps for accommodation providers, travel agencies, transport companies, and destinations to improve accessibility.

Benefits for Businesses:
- Grow revenue by reaching a broader customer base
- Strengthen brand reputation
- Plan cost-effective accessibility improvements

Market Impact:
- Over 1.3 billion people worldwide live with severe disabilities
- Nearly half of people over 60 have some form of disability
- Customers with disabilities and seniors may represent up to one-third of the global tourism market

Business Case: Disability-inclusive companies outperform competitors, achieving:
- Up to 28% higher revenue
- Double net income
- 30% higher profit margins
- Faster profit growth and stronger employee retention

Leadership Statements
- Zoritsa Urosevic, UN Tourism Executive Director: stressed that accessibility must be a pillar of tourism growth, benefiting both travelers and the workforce.

- Susanne Friedrich, Director of AWE: described the guidelines as a “triple win” — progress for the tourism industry, inclusion for persons with disabilities, and economic growth for developing countries.

Next Steps
- Guidelines will be promoted at major accessibility events in Ecuador and Cuba.
- Further initiatives planned with German partners in 2026 to help businesses embrace accessibility opportunities.
- The ONCE Foundation ensured the guidelines were published in an accessible format.

This partnership positions accessibility not just as a social responsibility, but as a strategic business advantage for tourism worldwide.