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For the first time, the World Tourism Organization (OMT) attributed the distinction of fate in the world that best promotes accessibility for people with disabilities and Portugal was the only country to achieve the award.

The most accessible destination in the world? Portugal gains recognition from OMT

For the first time, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) attributed the distinction of fate in the world that best promotes accessibility for people with disabilities and Portugal was the only country to achieve the award, granted in Partnership with the ONCE Foundation. The distinction was delivered this Wednesday during the 23rd General Assembly of the OMT in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In Europe alone, and according to data from the Portuguese Government, there are 90 million tourists with specific mobility needs. For the Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho, cited in a statement by the Ministry of Economics, this award constitutes "a great impetus for Portugal to become the most inclusive destination in the world".

In turn, the Secretary of State for the inclusion of people with disabilities, Ana Sofia Antunes, argues that this is the recognition "of a solid and structured work" that Portugal has done in terms of accessibility.

The measures to be an international "leader" in Mobility and inclusion

The ruler, like Lusa, uses as arguments in favour of this recognition the launch of the more access program, which will support projects to promote accessibility in about 50 municipalities in a total value of 15 million euros, as well as the realization of global surveys of the accessibility conditions of the public building.

The program "All for All" (all for All), launched in 2016 with the aim of empowering the Portuguese tourist offer and creating accessible itineraries nationwide, is another of the highlights.

According to the data of the Ministry of Economics cited by the news agency, up to the moment were supported 116 projects, which represent an investment of 20 million euros and received a support of 14 million euros.

Among these are the creation of accessibilities in the castle of São Jorge, in Lisbon, in the Convent of Christ, in Tomar and in the Caves Calém, in Vila Nova de Gaia.

In the tourism schools, in turn, a module dedicated to accessible tourism has been included and, in addition to the accessible Beach program, was launched this year the festivals + accessible, which aims to distinguish events that present "conditions of accessibility for People with specific needs ".

In Idealista portal 12/09/2019