São Paulo cities recognized for excellence in accessible tourism

The Government of the State of São Paulo has recognized several municipalities for excellence in accessible tourism. Following a survey of 308 initiatives, 15 best practices were selected based on innovation, scope, and the potential for replication. The recognition program is a collaborative effort between the State Secretariat for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Secretariat of Tourism and Travel, and the School of Arts, Sciences, and Humanities of the University of São Paulo (EACH-USP).

In the Circuito das Águas Paulista region, the city of Socorro was honored for the work of the Rede dos Sonhos hotel complex. The complex is noted for adapting adventure tourism activities, such as horseback riding and ziplining, for people with disabilities. It features tactile signage, Braille maps, and adapted facilities including ramps, bathrooms, and pools.

On the coast, the cities of Bertioga and Santos also received recognition. Bertioga was highlighted for the ‘Onda BGF’ project, which offers adaptive surfing and canoeing, and a 960-meter accessible suspended trail at Sesc Bertioga. Santos was recognized for the ‘Santos às Cegas’ initiative, which provides adapted bicycle tours through historical sites using 3D-printed tactile replicas and accessible architectural information. Other cities, including Caraguatatuba and São Sebastião, received honorable mentions for their inclusion programs.