Professionals and experts from the sector contribute to the FiturNext 2022 programme dedicated to accessibility

FiturNext, the FITUR Observatory dedicated to promoting good tourism practices that promote sustainability, sponsored by Mastercard, has today published the full programme for this year’s edition, focusing on accessibility in tourism. The agenda will combine the awards ceremony for the winning initiatives of the 2022 Challenge with dialogues, conferences and round tables with experts from the sector, who will highlight how to promote inclusion in the industry for a more egalitarian society.

Winning and finalist proposals: the protagonists of FiturNext 2022

The conference will begin with the opening of the event on 19 January at 12:30h (CET), followed by a presentation by Francisco Rodríguez, a consultant specialised in tourism at Ideas for Change, who will explain the FiturNext 2022 report, an analysis document with the keys, guidelines and good practices for promoting accessible resources. The speeches will be preceded by the awards ceremony for the winning initiatives of the 2022 Challenge, and throughout the day they will explain their projects in the three categories promoted by the Observatory in this edition.

The collaborative platform, TUR4all, winner in the category of new technologies at the service of accessible tourism, will talk about its digital application to disseminate accessible resources. On the other hand, the airline Albastar, awarded for its contribution to tourism services and an accessible complementary offer, will show its adapted and inclusive air travel options. Finally, COCEMFE, winner in the category of management and promotion of accessibility, will present how the project organises experiences where all activities, accommodation and transport are accessible.

In addition, the finalist initiatives of this edition will receive a special mention during the ceremony: Equalitas Vitae, Viajeros sin límite, Sentir el alto Tajo, Can Morei, Borja con todos los sentidos, Turisme de Catalunya, Dominican Access, Turisme Comunitat Valenciana and On Wheels App.

Round tables with the General Directorate for Tourism of Catalonia and Valencia

The FiturNext 2022 programme includes a series of activities with a wide range of dialogues, presentations and debates with experts and professionals committed to accessibility.

One of the most eagerly awaited activities of the edition will be the round table between Marta Domènech, general director of Tourism of Catalonia, and Rosa Mª Ivars Llopis, deputy general director of Tourism of the Valencian Community, on how accessibility can become a synonym of quality for a tourist destination.

The event will also feature two panel discussions on "Measuring sustainability in tourism. An opportunity to redesign the industry" and on "Health and Wellness Tourism: the new frontiers of tourism", in the framework of the Mastercard Space. With the aim of promoting more inclusive and egalitarian public policies, Tania Iglesias, Head of projects in the R+D+i  area of SEGITTUR, will participate alongside experts from two leading national destinations in a debate to explore opportunities for improvement in the sector.

Finally, the FiturNext Observatory will organise a conversation with the public to discuss the 2023 Challenge and its positive impact on the tourism industry.

The full FiturNext programme can be found in the attached file.

More information:  https://www.ifema.es/en/fitur-next

About FITUR

FITUR is one of the world's leading trade fairs for tourism events and a hub par excellence for the Ibero-American market. Organised by IFEMA MADRID, it will hold its 42nd edition from 19 to 23 January 2022 at the Spanish capital's Trade Fair Centre, with the support of its declaration by the Government as an Event of Exceptional Public Interest. Added to this is the significant support it receives from institutions, countries and destinations, hotel chains, agencies and tour operators, technology companies, suppliers, means of transport, etc., which make FITUR a great platform of reference for discovering new developments, proposals and future trends in terms of specialisation, technology and sustainability, and the essential event for the entire international tourism industry.

About Mastercard

Mastercard is committed to smart, sustainable and inclusive tourism that helps people, cities and the planet to thrive. To achieve this, they collaborate with industry actors, governments and communities by making their knowledge, digital tools and technology available to all.

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits people everywhere by making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. By using secure information and networks, building partnerships and putting passion into what we do, we enable our solutions and innovations to help users, financial institutions, governments and businesses realise their full potential. Our culture and everything we do inside and outside the company is driven by our Decency Quotient (DQ). With connections in more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a more sustainable world where everyone can benefit from priceless opportunities.

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