This course is designed for anyone interested in learning about accessibility within the context of tourism in coastal cities and in developing inclusive solutions for industry stakeholders.
Please be aware that your home university may set a different application deadline depending on their internal selection process.
This course aims to equip participants with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills to address accessibility challenges in tourism, with a specific focus on coastal destinations in the EU. Through a blend of virtual seminars and a hands-on Hackathon, participants will explore the medical, social, legislative, and economic dimensions of accessible tourism, developing inclusive solutions to improve travel experiences for all.
The course will feature lectures by academic staff covering topics such as tourism, urban planning, technology, accessibility, and business development. These lectures will be enhanced by company visits and guest presentations from industry professionals and NGOs. Students will also participate in teamwork sessions and peer feedback activities.
Key Concepts of Accessibility in Tourism: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of accessibility principles and inclusive design in the context of tourism, with a focus on coastal cities.
Analyze Accessibility Challenges: Identify and analyze specific barriers and challenges faced by diverse travelers in coastal tourism environments, considering cultural, physical, and social dimensions.
Apply Inclusive Design Strategies: Utilize inclusive design and universal access strategies to propose improvements for tourist sites and services, ensuring they cater to a wide range of needs.
Collaborate in Multicultural and Interdisciplinary Teams: Work effectively within diverse, interdisciplinary teams to develop and pitch innovative solutions during the Hackathon, gaining skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
Develop Practical, Accessible Tourism Solutions: Formulate actionable and sustainable solutions that can be applied by tourism stakeholders to improve accessibility in coastal destinations.
Evaluate Impact of Accessible Solutions on Tourism Experiences: Assess how implementing accessible solutions can enhance the experience for all visitors, promoting inclusivity, social equity, and economic benefits within the tourism sector.
During the physical mobility, students will meet, and they will work in a group on a Hackathon project on Accessibility in Coastal Cities. During this period on-site visits around Nice area are planned to better understand the local practices. This part will be assessed through a group oral presentation. The physical mobility part will be running from June 16th to 20th 2025 in Nice, France.
Virtual segment will be running from Mai 19th 2025 to Mai 23rd 2025. This part will be assessed through an individual written assignment on the best practices in coastal cities, due for June 13th 2025.