Benidorm hosts the Imserso tourism program for deaf people for the first time

During these weeks, the city of Benidorm will be the epicentre of accessible tourism in Spain, thanks to the program called 'Imserso-CNSE Tourism and Thermalism', in which 200 deaf people from all over the national territory will participate until May 11 which arrives in the town for the first time. The Councilor for Social Welfare, Ángela Zaragozí, has visited the first travellers of this program and has shared with them her impressions about the inclusive and accessible offer that exists in the city, after which she has thanked “the trust placed in Benidorm by the organizing entities and their commitment to bringing this program here.”

Ángela Zaragozí explained that it is “an inclusive leisure experience” promoted by the State Confederation of Deaf People (CNSE) and the Federation of Deaf People of the Valencian Community (Fesord CV), which also has funding from Imserso, from the ONCE Foundation and the Generalitat Valenciana. During her visit to the participants, the councillor was accompanied by the president of this confederation, Roberto Suárez; the president of the autonomous federation, Carolina Galiana; and the director of Fesord-CV, Amparo Minguet, as well as numerous users of the program and the sign language interpreters who also participate in it.

At this meeting, the promoters explained that the actions of 'Imserso-CNSE Tourism and Thermalism' make available to their participants a complete program of activities accessible in sign language, with the aim of "increasing the scarce offer of tourism adapted to the available to the deaf population.” Thus, deaf tourists who participate in the program will have the opportunity to visit several places near Benidorm, such as the Toy Museum and the Sea Museum in Dénia, the Chocolate Museum of La Vila Joiosa, or the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències de València, as well as enjoying the sunset aboard a catamaran or exploring L'Albufera by boat.

Likewise, brotherhood dinners are being held at the Valencian Association of Deaf People, and several institutional meetings throughout the two shifts in which the program takes place: the first, from April 21 to 27, and the second, from May 5 to 11.

Among these institutional meetings is the visit made by the councillor of Social Welfare. Ángela Zaragozí recalled that Benidorm is “one of the first tourist destinations that has been clear about the importance of being welcoming and accessible to any tourist who visits us, regardless of their abilities” and that, as a result of this conviction, it is a pioneer in the development of different plans to promote inclusive tourism. Among them, are the Benidorm Tourist Accessibility Plan and the Universal Accessibility Plan.

Likewise, the councillor also recalled that in 2024, in the latest edition of the International Tourism Fair (Fitur), the city was awarded as the most inclusive national destination in the first edition of the 'Fitur 4all Awards'.

“It has been an interesting meeting to learn about their impressions and establish contacts that can bring us new lines of collaboration to continue advancing in our commitment to being a city and a 100% inclusive destination,” the councillor concluded.