Awards for innovative and regional initiatives for accessible travel - the winner is the nature park association Kaunergrat in Tyrol
Vienna (OTS/BMWFJ) - Last Thursday, the Ministry for Tourism handed out the awards for the “Tourism for everyone” competition to exemplary Austrian regions, which have developed innovative tourism initiatives relating to multi-generational offers and accessibility or which have developed such offers further. The jury - made up of representatives of the tourism and leisure industry, families, pensioners and disability associations as well as transport associations - chose Kaunergat Nature Park Association in Tyrol as the winner from among 15 submissions. The crucial factor was the extensive design and realisation of an accessible offer in a High-Alpine landscape.
Individuals with limited mobility as well as families and pensioners can access a broad range of accessible leisure and tourism offers in Kaunertal. Hotel Weißseespitze is the accessible centre in the region and offers accessible holidays in summer and in winter. Naturparkhaus at Piller-Sattel is also designed with this in mind. A multimedia exhibition tells visitors about the flora and fauna, as well as the origins, of the region. In the summer, wheelchair users can ride on the Swiss Truck to make it easier to discover hiking trails. In winter, equipment is available for visiting the accessible cross-country trails. And the accessible lift at Kaunertal glacier should also not be forgotten. The winner will receive funding of up to 40,000 Euros from the Ministry for Tourism for a specific tourism project. Kaunergrat Nature Park Association will use these funds to turn Piller Moor - a popular destination for excursions - into an accessible location.
It is surely unique for a mountain valley in the High Alps to be entirely wheelchair-accessible up to 3,108 m above sea level! What started with the High Mountain Road has today become a multi-award-winning role model and milestone project in Europe.
KAUNERTAL. It was very close... but in the end, at the award ceremony in London on 6 November 2013, Kaunertal lost to the Brazilian Bonito region. Its nomination among the Top 4 is further proof that the region’s efforts to offer all guests an accessible and a great holiday all-round are setting it on the right path. Holidaymakers with limited mobility will find an excellent infrastructure in the truest sense of the word. In addition to its success in London, Kaunertal also received much recognition for its accessibility as a winning destination in Austrian and international competitions.
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https://www.kaunertal.com/en/activities/accessible/awards