by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 8:05 AM ET, Wed November 4, 2026
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) is partnering with the Tourist Office of Spain, IMPULSA IGUALDAD and TUR4ALL to help Canadian travel advisors better understand and meet the needs of travellers requiring accessible travel options.
The new training initiative, launching this month, will combine live webinars and self-paced online learning, with participating advisors gaining practical knowledge on how to assess accessibility requirements, evaluate destinations and plan trips for clients with diverse needs.
Advisors who successfully complete the program will also have the opportunity to be considered for a destination learning experience in Spain in 2027, where they can explore accessible tourism facilities, attractions and experiences firsthand.
“Accessible travel is about creating opportunities for more people to experience the world with confidence and dignity. Travel advisors have an important role to play in making that possible,” said Suzanne Acton-Gervais, President of ACTA.
“Through this partnership with Spain, we are investing in our members’ professional development while helping move our industry forward. Building greater awareness, knowledge and confidence around accessibility benefits travellers, strengthens our profession and reinforces the value of working with a professional travel advisor.”
Three Webinars, One Opportunity to Experience Spain
The program will include three live webinars led by the Tourist Office of Spain in Canada, scheduled for November 25, 2026, December 9, 2026, and February 4, 2027.
Participants must attend all three sessions and complete accompanying self-paced training and TUR4ALL platform modules.
The curriculum will focus on identifying individual accessibility needs, assessing accessibility throughout the travel journey and finding reliable, destination-specific information to help advisors make informed recommendations.
The partnership also coincides with the launch of Spain for All, a new initiative highlighting the country's accessible tourism offerings.
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“This partnership comes at a very special moment, as it coincides with the launch of Spain for All, our new program showcasing Spain as one of the best-prepared countries in the world to welcome travellers with accessibility needs. Travel advisors are key to bringing that message to Canadians, and this is the beginning of what we hope will be a long-lasting relationship with ACTA to position Spain as a leading destination for accessible travel in the Canadian market,” said Isabel Martín Benítez, Tourism Counselor at the Tourist Office of Spain in Canada.
Building on ACTA's Accessible Travel Efforts
The training initiative follows ACTA's launch earlier this year of its Accessible Travel Advisor Directory, designed to connect travellers with advisors who have experience and expertise in accessible travel.
The directory currently lists 42 advisors, with additional ACTA members continuing to join.
Advisors already featured in the directory will receive priority access to the new training program. Any remaining spaces will then be opened to other ACTA members.
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The initiative reflects a broader effort to make accessibility a routine consideration in travel planning rather than a specialized service offered only by a limited number of advisors.
For Canadian advisors, the training provides an opportunity to develop skills in an area where accurate information and an understanding of individual client needs can make a significant difference to the travel experience.
ACTA members can register for the program here.
More information about ACTA's Accessible Travel Advisor Directory is available here.
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