Items

• More citizen engagement on sustainable matters
  Bordeaux is seeking to nurture a dialogue. Surveys about the public perception of tourism are conducted regularly with residents and visitors by TCI Research. Between 2018 and 2021, residents considered that we are taking these issues into account more and more (up 9 points). The first public forum on sustainable tourism was held in May 2021, gathering 115 attendees. Over 780 ideas were put forward by residents, associations, institutions, elected representatives and professionals from the tourism sector. Focus groups are now meeting to propose a long-term sustainable tourism strategy regarding leisure activities, business travel and local tourism. Find out more at: https://www.bordeaux-metropole.fr/Actualites/Economie-consultation-autour-de-la-future-strategie-metropolitaine
• A bicycle-friendly city supported by NaturRADtour
  Karlsruhe was named Germany’s most bicycle-friendly major city for the second time in a row in 2020. It is distinguished by its extensive network of bike paths and the unique NaturRADtour. With the NaturRADTour, visitors can explore natural areas, protected areas and green oases. The 48 kilometers of the tour run through numerous nature reserves within the city limits. As a result, the share of cycling in the city’s total traffic has already been increased to over 30%. This is also promoted by the comprehensive expansion of environmentally friendly bicycle rental systems.Find out more at: https://www.karlsruhe-erleben.de/en/freetime/cycling/naturradtour
• Enhancing citizens’ engagement for better policy-making
  A vibrant civil society has emerged in the city, with an increasing number of community groups taking the initiative to improve their neighbourhoods and solve pressing issues on the ground. In those circumstances, many projects in Athens have been supported by enhanced stakeholder and resident engagement that was pioneered by synAthina, the social innovation platform of the City of Athens that engages citizens in problem-solving and reform. The synAthina platform has been the first model of inclusive government in Greece and a systematic mechanism to collect and facilitate the participation of residents and visitors in developing sustainable solutions for the City of Athens. One of its more relevant initiatives is Co-Athens, an additional framework for refugees who have received asylum to collaborate with other residents, citizens’ initiatives, and local authorities in the design and implementation of small-scale urban interventions. Selected groups receive funding and support to carry out activities that will have a meaningful and positive impact for the city, and an investment in human capacity that builds from the bottom-up to resolve city challenges and empower refugees. Find out more at: https://www.synathina.gr/en/synathina/about-us.htmland https://oecd-opsi.org/innovations/synathina-platform/
• Inclusive touristic tours for people with disabilities
  People with disabilities can access Civic Museums for free and find a tailored cultural offer carefully designed in collaboration with key stakeholders. For instance, multi-sensory visit routes are designed conjointly with the Blind Union, allowing blind people to enjoy cultural heritage wonders though touch, smell, sound, and spatial dimension sensorial experiences. For hearing-impaired individuals, IS language tours are organised in collaboration with Deaf Organisation. Virtual routes of physically inaccessible sites are offered to those with reduced mobility and special project for Alzheimer’s or cognitive impairment with narrative and interactive paths in the museums (“Museum in a suitcase”) is accessible. Similarly, four itineraries have been designed, from 2 to 8 km along the Arno River with Sup4All project, that brings together tourism, accessibility, and sport, and which can be modulated according to the participants’ needs to make them accessible to all.Find out more at: https://www.visittuscany.com/en/ideas/accessible-museums-in-florence/
• Surf and Sea for all
  Ravenna has launched the BEST Project or the Beaches accessible to all which grants everyone the access they need and deserve to Ravenna’s beaches with special seats, amphibious armchairs and wheelchairs allowing all people to enjoy the beach and the sea. Find out more at: https://www.turismo.ra.it/en/nature-seaside/beach-resorts-ravenna-en/accessible-beaches/
• Beach Guide is redefining accessible beaches
  The Guide for Accessible Beaches in Palma is available in 4 languages and provides detailed information about the beaches, infrastructure, and services available at the city’s beaches. Five of the city’s beaches are certified as being inclusive (Universal Accessibility Management System Certificate) and the guide to these beaches underlines the city’s commitment to helping as many people as possible reach and enjoy the beach.Find out more at: https://www.palma.cat/portal/PALMA/contenedor4.jsp?seccion=s_lloc_d10_v5.jsp&codbusqueda=638&codResi=1&codMenuPN=1811&codMenu=826&layout=contenedor4.jsp&layout=contenedor4.jsp&language=en
• Facilitated access to the beach for people with disabilities
  Entrances to the city center beach are equipped with posts for the blind with pictograms Braille directions and wooden ramps. A playground with equipment for children with disabilities is also provided along with umbrellas for sun protection. The city centre beach also offers toilets and showers for people with disabilities and people with mobility impairments can take advantage of bathing chairs at the bathing site (so-called amphibian). The city’s lifeguards have been trained to communicate with people with sight, hearing or multiple disabilities and have acquired methods and techniques for transferring, supporting and assisting people enjoying the bathing sites.Find out more at: https://www.inyourpocket.com/gdansk/travelling-with-a-disability-in-gdansk-sopot_77157f and https://civitas.eu/sites/default/files/webinar_22.02.2016_gdynia_apawlowska.pdf
• Sea legs are a thing of the past
  As a popular yachting destination, Szczecin has introduced an elderly friendly marina concept for the sake of the elderly sailors who are coming to visit the city by boat. The newly constructed marina has a specially designated mooring berth dedicated for the elderly. It is equipped with ramps and adjusted toilets as well as an extra step that makes stepping of the boat easier. The marina staff are specifically designated to help any elderly sailors wishing to have some assistance mooring their vessel if given prior notice. Find out more at: https://northeast-marina.pl/en/
• “The Grand Walk of Athens”
  In summer 2020, Athens implemented an initiative called “The Great Walk of Athens” that transformed streets into walking and biking paths in areas heavily utilized by cars. The pilot phase of a long-term redevelopment program, the Grand Walk generated wide discussion about urban infrastructure as a public good. Helping residents participate in the design of public spaces helps raise awareness of streets that need to serve many different purposes and populations with differing privileges and abilities.Find out more at: https://news.gtp.gr/2020/07/17/grand-walk-of-athens-project-enhance-citys-tourism-identity/
• Project ‘Living Lab’ for a more sustainable city
  Since Matosinhos is aiming to become a sustainable city, it has created and introduced the ‘Living Lab’ project to test solutions for lower carbon dioxide emissions, to rise the energetic efficiency and to reduce the city’s polluting emissions. The overall goal of the project and the city is to develop environmentally friendly and ecologic technology. The envisioned technology encompasses a range of innovations, such as lamps that measure CO2 emissions, pavements that reduce vehicles’ speed without the driver’s intervention, a bicycle sharing system connected to the public transportation system, real-time accounting of carbon dioxide emissions saved with intelligent mobility, or a house covered in solar panels that follows the movement of the sun and stores energy. These are some of the technological innovations, developed by more than 18 partners, that will be implemented under this project. ‘Living Lab’ is being funded by the Ministry of Environment. Find out more at: https://www.cm-matosinhos.pt/servicos-municipais/comunicacao-e-imagem/noticias/noticia/acordo-cidade-verde
• CO2-neutral by 2030
  Aarhus has a beautiful location, close to forests, beaches and water. Both citizens and visitors enjoy the convenience of having a clean city, nature within easy reach and the fresh air flowing free in their lungs. Preservation and further development of the blue and green city is a key target for the city In 2008, Aarhus City Council set an ambitious goal to become a climate neutral society by 2030 exceeding the national target in Denmark of reducing emissions by 70% by 2030. The goal in Aarhus is a fixed-level target at net zero emissions in 2030. From 1990 to 2019, CO2-emissions were reduced by 55,2%. As one of the fastest-growing cities in Denmark, Aarhus recognises that its goal to become CO2-neutral by 2030 needs to go hand-in hand with responsibly planned commercial development and urban growth. That’s why the City’s ambitious sustainability strategies, including its Climate Plan 2021-24, were developed and in 2022, Aarhus has been selected to join the as one of ‘100 European climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030’ by the European Commission. Find out more at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_22_2591
• "Sevilla Smart Accessibility Tourist and Events" project and Seville Accessible App
  The “Seville Smart Accessibility Tourist & Events” is an innovative project supported by the Spanish government and the European Union to improve accessibility, and urban space management through the use of ICT-based actions. This project uses GIS technology and AI 25 tools for the management and decision-making processes behind the recommended spaces and routes between attractions. All this information is shared with citizens and tourists through the SEVILLE ACCESSIBLE app. This app (multi-platform and multi-language) combines information on accessibility and mobility in real time with tourist information allowing for greater awareness and insight into how crowded a public space really is, being able to plan accessible itineraries, have updated tourist information and knowing the status and situation on the use of unsure road conditions. Find out more at: https://www.urbanismosevilla.org/areas/sostenibilidad-innovacion/Oficina%20de%20Accesibilidad/noticias/copy_of_premiado-un-proyecto-municipal-liderado-por-la-gerencia-de-urbanismo-para-el-impulso-de-la-201cciudad-inteligente201d
• Sensorial Routes
  The National Archaeological Museum of Taranto – MARTA – is equipped with specific routes for the blind or visually impaired as well as totally equipped for only booking and ticketing. These sensorial routes are linked to the concept of museum accessibility and to a particular segment of cultural tourism for the direct overcoming of architectural, cognitive, and sensorial overcoming of pre-existing barriers to accessibility in the museum. All architectural barriers that could limit the ability to explore by visitors with motor disabilities have been eliminated inside the museum. Ramps and elevators allow total use of the museum spaces and there is also an interactive audio guide system, as well as 3D printing for the reproduction of the finds, "where everything can be touched". The museum demonstrates that innovative smart tourism can be found in creative accessibility measures that enable knowledge to be shared with all who want to visit a museum. 24 Find out more at: https://museotaranto.beniculturali.it/en/
• Taranto Capital of the Sea
  The “Taranto Capitale di Mare” project has enabled the city to bring together organizations, associations, companies, and governing bodies that manage over one hundred tourist attractions through the city to sign the “Pact of Tourism”, a specification that binds managing bodes to meet accessibility criteria. This includes making architectural, infrastructure barriers a thing of the past, enabling digital payment tools and the use of at least the English language in addition to the local Italian language. Find out more at: https://www.tarantocapitaledimare.it/en/home-english/
• “Just a Minute” Card and commitment to accessibility
  The Cork-based Trigon Hotel Group is the first hotel group in Ireland to become ‘Just A Minute’ (JAM) Card friendly, ensuring that their hotels are welcoming and accessible to all. People with memory problems or difficulties to communicate, unable to explain their condition to others can carry a ‘Just A Minute’ (JAM) card which provides a simple and stress-free solution. The JAM card can be presented discretely in a public environment to tell people that the holder may need a bit more time or additional assistance. Team members across the Trigon Group’s hotels have been trained to identify and support customers and fellow team members carrying JAM Cards. The Trigon Hotel Group has further shown its commitment to accessibility by raising €11,000 to fund the creation of a new wheelchair-accessible sensory garden in the city, offering young people and adults with learning disabilities an “oasis of calm” in the busy city. 21 Find out more at: https://www.jamcard.org
• Re-Thinkers Program
  One of the clearest symbols that Aarhus loves to make guests feel welcome, are the 2,000 volunteers who have joined the volunteer network, ReThinkers, organised by the official tourism organisation, VisitAarhus. Whenever there is an event in the city, or a cruise ship in port, the ReThinkers are welcoming visitors, eager to meet and greet and make guests feel welcome. Thanks to the ReThinker volunteers, Aarhus might be one of the most hospitable cities in the world and being awarded as European Capital of Smart tourism will support our continued efforts to promote Aarhus as more than ‘just another city’ on a national and European level.   Find out more at:https://accessdenmark.com/
• Accessible beaches / Disabled Friendly Beaches
  Antalya has 231 blue flagged beaches and 42 of them are fully accessible to disabled which has special wheelchair sunbeds and 189 beaches are partly disabled friendly.  Find out more at: https://www.mobilityturkey.com/wheelchair-accessible-holiday-antalya
• Acoustic Pedestrian Warning Device System
  The Acoustic Pedestrian Warning Device System applications were implemented at the intersections in different parts of the city in Antalya. It aims to make the pedestrian crossings at signalised intersections safer and available for independent use for the visually impaired and elderly people. With the Acoustic Pedestrian Warning Device, when the pedestrian signal transmitters change colour, audible messages are given to the pedestrians, allowing them to cross the street or wait. When the pedestrians come to the pedestrian crossing, when they show their hand from 5cm distance or touch, the system sends a request for a pedestrian crossing to the intersection device. When the time given for crossing the road is completed, the beep sound indicated for the red light will be activated and this warning will continue until the request button is pressed again. In addition, warnings in touristic areas are made in English.  9 Find out more at: https://raillynews.com/2020/12/Traffic-lights-will-speak-for-the-visually-impaired-in-Antalya/
• One of the most important and essential parts of cultural heritage in Maribor
  is the World’s Oldest Vine by the Old Vine House that has started to implement VR experiences for visitors. The Old Vine virtual experience is an upgrade of the remarkable story of the 450-year-old vine. The VR headset transforms visitors into the Old Vine and takes them through time from 1570 to the present day. During this VR experience, visitors can also get to know important Maribor historical events, personalities and legends and observe the changes that took place on Lent over the centuries. The Old Vine House is located in the heart of the old city centre. The age of the “Žametovka” or “Modra Kavčina” vine is over 400 years and has won it a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest noble grapevine in the world still bearing grapes. The Old Vine is a symbol of the rich wine culture of Maribor, Styria, and all of Slovenia. The house was built in the 16th century, and the south side of the House has seen no major architectural changes since then. Today, the Old Vine House is a temple of wine tradition and culture of Maribor, Styria, and Slovenia, offering guided tours of rich wine legacy and other museum exhibits. Find out more at: https://www.visitmaribor.si/en/what-to-do/art-and-culture/ and https://www.visitmaribor.si/en/what-to-do/wine-and-culinary/old-vine-house/
• Under the guidance of the urban architect Nicolas Michelin
  an industrial wasteland has become a multi-faceted site: a “melting port”, a place of culture and revelry. In just a decade, everything has changed. Nowadays, the Bassins à Flot district is a shining example of how to transform an abandoned zone into a trendy area where places of culture, nightlife, residence, business, and shopping can sit harmoniously alongside one another. It also represents another success in terms of “balance”; the emergence of this new tourist district has contributed to spreading the flux of visitors over the city. For instance, Les Bassins de Lumières, the largest digital art centre in France, is housed in an old submarine base from the Second World War, plunging visitors into the works of Monet, Renoir, and Chagall. Similarly, Le Musée Mer Marine is another symbolic building to have emerged in the district, shining a light on the oceanic world and sailing, and the Cap Sciences popularises scientific culture for both adults and children. These cultural establishments live alongside open-air bars, restaurant boats, an indoor-market, venues for music and dance shows, plus nightlife hotspots that attract locals and visitors alike. Find out more at: https://www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk/district/bassins-flot-bacalan.html
• Τhe National Museum of Copenhagen
  has developed a chatbot to help guests to a smooth experience and give an overview of the many possibilities that the museum offers. The chatbot gives answers to not only to FAQs and helps with the practical needs, but also offers an interactive and digital guided tour of some of the most popular themes in the expositions and give visual information. The chatbot solution has been launched, tested, and adapted and the data shows that the chatbot is used both before and during the visit, and the digital tours are a quite a success.Find out more at: https://en.natmus.dk/museums-and-palaces/the-national-museum-of-denmark/chatbot/
• Transforming an industrial port into a residential hub
  20 years ago, the quays of Bordeaux were an empty shell of an old commercial port that had been moved downstream. With the regeneration of the waterfront came river tourism. The forty-odd cruise ships that docked in the heart of the city in 2019 bear testament to the success of this new industry for Bordeaux, as do the river cruise operators offering wine cruises departing from Bordeaux. Bordeaux is tackling the sensitive subject of the environmental impact of the industry and is committed to preserving its environment. The port adopted a demanding environmental cruise ship charter in December 2019. The city is also making its four-river cruise ship landing stages “electric-ready”, introducing waste collection and sewage collection via barge. Find out more at: https://www.bordeaux-port.fr/en/discover-port
• A large part of Szczecin’s cultural heritage
  is shared across the German-Polish border. As with many cities through the Europe, shifting borders have resulted in cultural heritage being often the part of two nations as in the case of Szczecin. To address this and include it within the city’s promotion and touristic offerings, Szczecin has created the Cross-Border City Walks project which promotes activities to support and promote the integration the citizens across the border area within the Pomeranian Euroregion. The purpose of the walks is primarily to strengthen relations and to develop the sense of identity of the citizens of the region and the sense of belonging to a cross-border society. Find out more at: https://visitszczecin.eu/pl/kultura/125-transgraniczne-spacery-miejskie-plde
• Treasure hunts
  Terra Aventura is a family treasure hunt that takes place all over the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region via a mobile app. The game is proposing 400 fun and unusual routes throughout the region, providing users with an opportunity to discover the natural and cultural heritage of many different places. With its significant community of players, Terra Aventura is a fantastic way to encourage users to explore little-frequented places. The tourist office made the choice in 2018 not to create a trail through Bordeaux city centre, despite significant demand. Conscious of the future success of the Terra Aventura trails, the Bordeaux Tourist office created one in the commune of Lormont in 2018 and in Gradignan in 2019: places that have a rich heritage but are rarely visited compared to the UNESCO-listed Bordeaux city centre. Learn more about Terra Aventura here https://www.terra-aventura.fr/en
• Padua:
  The web portal of the museums of Padua constitutes a modern, digital solution that gathers in one place the museum’s offering for the public. The web portal (MeB) displays the collections, artworks and main features of each museum in Padua. The new web portal plays an important part in the future of digitalisation of museums and the touristic offerings that they allow. This tool represents an important information, research and promotion tool for Padua and those who are interested in its steep history. Find out more at: https://padovamusei.it/it/collezioni-meb