Granting Accessible Tourism for Everyone
By means of new technologies (mobile devices, augmented and virtual reality, beacons) GATE affirms the concept of inclusive tourism in UNESCO areas, the Alps and the Prealps. Inclusive tourism implies the possibility for anyone to live an interesting and enriching experience regardless of natural, physical and semantic obstacles. GATE gathers together local and regional governments, private organizations and research institutions with the purpose of promoting inclusive tourism as strength of the Alpine area, in order to increase the local tourism offer, promoting bio and geo diversity. Giving to the people the opportunity to experience the knowledge is the way to reach these goals. The cross-border cooperation is a GATE's essential element, necessary not only for knowledge exchange, but also for implementing guidelines, languages and uniform standards of inclusive hospitality as well. The pilot projects give value to different sites, proving the flexibility of accessible tourism tools. Thanks to a demonstrative, participative and formative approach, GATE promotes inclusive tourism among public bodies and tourist operators as instruments for enforcing the touristic promotion of local areas. GATE aims to be a flagship initiative toward a sustainable and inclusive Europe, where tourism is an experience that enhances the knowledge of the people and protect the territories and their heritage.