Procap and Thurgau Travel: Together for Inclusivity
The Procap Reisen 2025 catalog marks an important step forward in accessible tourism in Switzerland: for the first time, a river cruise has been made accessible to wheelchair travelers. Thanks to the collaboration with Thurgau Travel, this initiative opens up new possibilities for people with reduced mobility, offering a comfortable and barrier-free travel experience aboard the MS Antonio Bellucci.
20250129_Antonio_Bellucci_2024_Aussen_Foto-Holger_Leue-©-Thurgau Travel
20250129_Procap_Strassburg
Setting sail on a river cruise is an experience that combines relaxation, culture, and the discovery of picturesque landscapes. However, for people with reduced mobility, such a trip can present numerous challenges. To address this need, Procap, Switzerland’s largest association for and of people with disabilities, has carefully studied and tested the accessibility conditions of the MS Antonio Bellucci. The ship features an accessible suite, a stairlift to reach the sun deck, and a central dock in Basel St. Johann, easily accessible by both train and car.
For years, Procap Reisen has been committed to making river cruises accessible to wheelchair travelers. Helena Bigler, the organization’s manager, emphasized how the ability to reach the port by train or with their own car makes this type of trip an ideal option for people with reduced mobility. However, she highlighted the numerous challenges still present, including the variability of water levels, which can affect boarding and disembarking operations, the accessibility of cabins, and the layout of ships in ports, which sometimes prevents shore excursions.
To tackle these difficulties, in-depth inspections and practical tests were conducted aboard the MS Antonio Bellucci, with the participation of wheelchair users. Additionally, a group cruise to Amsterdam is planned for August to gather further feedback and improve the travel experience for passengers.
Suite Oberdeck (ca. 32 m²) mit franz. Balkon
The initiative has received support from Thurgau Travel, whose CEO, Daniel Pauli-Kaufmann, expressed great satisfaction with the collaboration with Procap. He emphasized the importance of making travel accessible to people with physical limitations, minimizing barriers, and praised Procap as a highly skilled and competent partner. Furthermore, he reiterated the company’s commitment to further expanding travel offers dedicated to people with disabilities in the future.
This cruise is just the first step toward increasingly inclusive tourism. Procap Reisen & Sport continues to work to raise awareness among the public and industry companies about the needs of people with disabilities, promoting travel that is truly accessible to all.
The high demand for this new offering demonstrates the strong need for barrier-free travel solutions, confirming the importance of a concrete commitment to accessibility in the tourism industry. Thanks to the support of Thurgau Travel, this project not only opens up new travel opportunities for people with reduced mobility but also marks an important step toward more inclusive tourism.
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