UN Tourism and Germany Collaborate to Enhance Opportunities for Disabled Individuals

UN Tourism has partnered with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to reshape how destinations and businesses view employees and customers with disabilities.

Prioritizing Inclusive Tourism
Globally, 1.3 billion individuals live with a notable disability, and 80% of this population resides in developing nations. When these individuals travel, they generally need accompaniment due to their specific requirements. Embracing accessibility in tourism businesses not only opens new revenue streams but also enhances overall performance.

Despite advancements, barriers continue to impede the travel capabilities of individuals with disabilities, and many potential job applicants do not see tourism as a valid career path. This presents an opportunity lost for businesses that may tap into a vast talent pool and clientele.

Advocating Solutions for Inclusive Employment and Accessibility

During ITB Berlin 2025, UN Tourism and BMZ collaborated to emphasize the myriad benefits of accessible tourism. They called for a more inclusive tourism sector through international partnerships to generate more jobs, broaden travel accessibility, and foster resilient communities.

The Vision for Future Tourism

This partnership endorses:

• Raising awareness about the advantages of accessibility as a long-term investment rather than charity.
• Engaging in innovative practices that benefit communities.
• Providing superior service to the billion-dollar consumer and labor market.

The event convened prominent industry figures to discuss strategies for developing more inclusive workplaces and services within the tourism sector, which benefits both advanced and emerging markets. A forthcoming report will highlight effective practices from countries such as Albania, Austria, Ecuador, Germany, India, Jordan, and Morocco, along with success stories propagated by several organizations.

Key Recommendations

The recommendations to be included in the report will emphasize:

1. Collaborating with end-users with disabilities to grasp their needs.
2. Forming a solid business case for accessibility.
3. Training employees in inclusive practices.
4. Modifying role descriptions and working conditions to enable direct applications from individuals with disabilities in the hospitality sector.