1,9 million funding for accessible and inclusive tourism: Liguria awards 4 projects

Regione Liguria successfully closes the call for accessible tourism: 16 projects submitted, 77 Municipalities involved and almost 1,9 million euros available to finance inclusive initiatives. Now begins the selection of the 4 winners who will be able to obtain up to 430 thousand euros each.

As many as 16 applications were received for a total of 77 Municipalities involved in the partnerships and numerous third sector entities. This is the balance, at the closing date of January 27, of the call for proposals relating to the initiative promoted by the Minister for Disabilities, in agreement with the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister of Labour and Social Policies and the Minister of Tourism, which has allocated resources to the Regions for the financing of specific interventions, through the selection of projects aimed at promote accessible tourism. In particular, almost 1,9 million euros were allocated to the Liguria Region. The 16 questions, corresponding to as many projects aimed at developing a tourist offer characterized by the increase of experiences related to accessible and inclusive tourism, are divided as follows: 4 for Genoa, 3 for Savona, 6 for Imperia and 3 for La Spezia.

An evaluation phase is now underway to select the 4 winning projects and the dialogue with the Ministry for Disabilities aimed at obtaining the funds: each project will be able to benefit from a maximum financing of 430 thousand euros. Once obtained, it will be up to the Agency in Liguria to take care of the promotion, information and communication actions initiatives for accessible and inclusive tourism.

"We express great satisfaction for the success of this regional call dedicated to accessible tourism – declare theRegional Councillor for Tourism Luca Lombardie theCouncilor for Social Policies Massimo Nicolò - The Liguria Region has always been very attentive to this issue, having also created in past years the Guida Mare Accessibile and the 'Liguria Accessibile' section of the Lamialiguria website, which highlights the tourist resources of our region such as services, facilities, nature trails, equipped beaches and experiences. We thank the Consulta for the protection of the rights of the disabled person of the Liguria Region which has made itself available to offer further support for the definition of the project actions".

The tourist territorial areas covered by the call are made up of a minimum of three and a maximum of five Municipalities, of which at least two are coastal and at least one inland Municipality bordering one of the two coastal Municipalities, even in two different Provinces, with one or more third sector entities in an aggregating logic of public and private non-profit.

"We are happy with this call for proposals that will allow the winning Municipalities to have adequate financial tools in order to be even more welcoming and accessible towards tourists with disabilities or fragilities coming from the rest of Italy and abroad. – says the secretary and coordinator of the Committee for the protection of the rights of disabled people in the Liguria Region Claudio Puppo – Liguria is improving significantly to better guarantee stays in our locations for disabled people and their families by offering services and attention that meet their needs and requirements.".