Barrier -free Valais: Forum demands inclusion in tourism!

Barrier -free Valais: Forum demands inclusion in tourism!

On May 27, 2025, over 250 specialists met at the Emera-Hesso forum in Siders to discuss the challenges in the field of accessibility in tourism. The aim of the event was to improve the accessibility of tourist offers in Valais. The forum was organized by the Emerera Foundation in cooperation with the University of Economics (HEG) and the Tourism Study of the HES-TO Valais-Wallis. The topic of the forum, "challenges and perspectives of an inclusive tourism", illuminates an increasingly important aspect of society.

The UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (BRK) has been in force in Switzerland for 11 years and obliges the states to access cultural, sporting and leisure activities, including in tourism. This standard is crucial because it ensures around 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide, such as bmas .

challenges in the tourism sector

The shortcomings in the area of ​​accessibility are diverse. It was found that barrier -free offers receive too little support, information about it is difficult to find or scattered and many actors in the tourism sector have inadequate knowledge of the topic. The demographic change and the aging population require stronger efforts to become social inclusion.

The cantonal government has already actively campaigned for the promotion of living conditions of people with disabilities. Especially in Valais, where tourism is a central economic column, it is essential to create, including offers that are accessible to everyone.

positive approaches and future prospects

The forum presented positive examples that come from the disability sport, public transport and events. Innovative accommodations and accompanying offers could also be highlighted as best practices. These examples show that inclusive tourism not only has possible, but also a significant development potential.

A central conclusion of the forum was the need for a nationwide barrier -free infrastructure in Valais. It was emphasized that the accessibility of information plays a crucial role and that specialists should be trained or further trained in this area. However, accessibility means not only the reduction of structural hurdles, but also the improvement of the attitude and the experience of the guests.

The BRK specifies the framework for these developments by concretizing the rights of people with disabilities and defines measures for equal opportunities. The concept of participation is broken down to different areas of life, which supports the structuring of the objectives in order to promote better integration of all people.