04/06/2026

SITECON successfully brought together voices and ideas for more inclusive tourist destinations and societies

The SITE Project successfully hosted SITECON: Scientific Conference on Shaping Inclusive Tourist Destinations & Societies in Opatija, an important moment of exchange, reflection and cooperation dedicated to the future of inclusive tourism.

The conference gathered researchers, professionals, practitioners and stakeholders working on accessibility, Universal Design, social inclusion and sustainable tourism. Through a rich programme of presentations and discussions, SITECON offered an opportunity to share experiences, research findings and practical solutions aimed at making tourist destinations more welcoming, accessible and inclusive for all.

We would like to sincerely thank all participants, speakers, chairs and partners who contributed to the success of the event. Their active involvement, expertise and enthusiasm made SITECON a valuable space for dialogue and knowledge-sharing across borders.

A rich programme of insights, research and practical experiences

SITECON brought together a wide range of speakers, each contributing a specific perspective on accessibility, Universal Design, inclusive tourism and social innovation:

• Silvia Gonzalez Morcillo - explored relational accessibility as a key pillar of inclusive tourism;
• Vanja Krajinović - reflected on barriers and opportunities for accessible tourism on islands;
• Stipo Margić - presented social innovation through the case of the Liberato Association;
• Marta Berčić - shared a community-based model for inclusive and accessible tourism;
• Marin Nižić - introduced the experience of the Rijeka Urban Hiking Club;
• Dejan Ristić - discussed accessibility improvements in tourism offers in the Ljubljana Region;
• Ariadna Gassiot Melian and Judith Diaz Sauceda - presented the age-friendly city approach;
• Pawel Sowa - offered insights into the accessibility of Petra in Jordan;
• Iva Kovačević Melinčević - examined the role of foreign workers in wayfinding;
• Vanessa Cumper - addressed the role of AI in the future of inclusive tourism design;
• Nataša Urošević - focused on participatory governance and sustainable urban heritage;
• Ivanka Nestoroska - reflected on how destinations can rethink their path;
• Bendjedid Rachad Sanoussi - explored tourists’ trust in AI assistants in urban destinations;
• Alodia Rean Mitasari - analysed inclusivity within hospitality exchange platforms;
• Tina Rea Takač - discussed the gap between regulation and reality in accessible air travel;
• Sara Piana - shared insights from the 3rd World Summit on Accessible Tourism;
• Alenka Šuljić Petrc - brought the experience of “With the Wind Through Silence”;
• Mateja Breg Valjavec - presented an inclusive approach along the Parenzana Trail; 
• Marianna Preston - focused on social inclusion and well-being of hearing-impaired;
• Albina Žnidar and Denis Marijon - shared a Croatian model supporting young persons;
• Zoltán Raffay - presented findings on disability inclusion in the tourism sector in East Europe;
• Romana Lekić - introduced the inclusive experience of Magical Zelina Fairy Park.

A successful step forward for inclusive tourism

SITECON represented an important milestone for the SITE Project and for the broader discussion on inclusive and accessible tourism in the Italy–Croatia programme area and beyond.

The conference confirmed the importance of cooperation between academic institutions, public authorities, tourism professionals, associations and local communities. The diversity of topics addressed — from relational accessibility and community-based tourism to AI, wayfinding, inclusive air travel, accessible heritage and practical models of social inclusion — showed how accessibility is a shared responsibility and a key element for shaping better tourist experiences.

The high level of participation and the quality of the contributions demonstrated the growing interest in Universal Design and inclusive tourism as drivers of social innovation, sustainability and destination competitiveness.

Photo gallery

A photo gallery from SITECON is available below, capturing some of the key moments of the conference, including presentations, networking moments and exchanges among participants.

Link on the right if you're from PC or below if you're on smartphone!

More content coming soon

In the coming period, new video content from the conference will be published on the SITE Project YouTube channel.

Follow our channel to stay updated and discover more insights from SITECON and from the SITE Project activities: Link on the right if you're from PC or below if you're on smartphone!