(11 November 2013) – Tonight in Brussels, representatives of 19 destinations from all over Europe will receive EDEN trophies for their efforts to offer accessible features and equipment such as walking paths adapted to wheelchairs or prams, specially adapted bike rentals as well as adapted access to beaches and mountains.
These kinds of services and features make holidays more enjoyable for people with different kinds of special access needs: reduced mobility, visual impairments or learning difficulties; but also for senior citizens or families with children. They also mean better overall quality of local services and more comfort for all tourists.
EDEN (European Destinations of ExcelleNce) an accolade that the European Commission has been giving out for six years now, awarding emerging destinations that have successfully contributed to sustainability and opening up tourism to everybody. The goal of this year’s EDEN awards is to give accessible tourism more visibility and to encourage other destinations across Europe to start following their example.
This year’s winners are: Kaunertal Valley (A) , Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve (B), Stancija 1904 – Svetvinčenat (HR), Municipality of Polis Chrysochous (CY), Lipno (CZ), Natural Park of Guara’s Mountains and Canyons (E), Haapsalu City (EST), Morvan Regional Natural Park (F), Municipality of Marathon (GR), Kaposvár and the Zselic area (H), Cavan Town and environs (IRL), Pistoia (I), Liepāja (LV), Telšiai (LT), Horsterwold (NL), Przemyśl (PL), Jurilovca (RO), Laško (SLO) and Taraklı District (TR).