Accessible tourismJoanne Straub & Marcial SommerModule 713 – International tourismTIA Blog presentation 16.12.2013

http://www.venere.com/blog/accessible-paris-travel/

Table of contents

• Introduction• Examples of disabilities• Concept• Case study• Conclusion• Sources

Introduction – What is accessible tourism?

• Accessible tourism is the ongoing endeavour to ensure tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people.• Tourism and travel that is accessible to all

people, with disabilities or not.

Source: ENAT. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2013, from European Network for Accessible Tourism http://www.accessibletourism.org/?i=enat.en.faq.744

Introduction – Why is it important?

• According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, UNWTO, approximately a billion people on earth have some kind of disability today. That is equivalent to 15 percent of the total population. The number is growing fast because we are living longer and because we are travelling more than we used to in older age.

• The world’s population is getting older – the need to handle problems that come along with this issue is important.

• To attract a wider range of clientele, it benefits your business if it is accessible to all sorts of disabilities.

Introduction – In which touristic fields is it important?Merely all fields of the touristic industry should be aware of accessible tourism. There are a couple of touristic branches however, who are in a particular need to make their offer accessible:• Transport industry (airplanes, trains, buses, ships)• Accommodation industry• Guided tour businesses• Activity providers (ski stations for example)• Tour operators and travel agents should know how to handle

the topic• Many, many more

Examples of disabilitiesType of disability Description

Mobility • Physical restrictions, affecting legs, feet, back, neck, arms.

Sensory • Limited or no capacity to see• Limited or no capacity to hear

Communication • Limited or no capacity to use expressive and/or receptive language.

Intellectual / mental health • Any sort of illness that results in a behavioural disorder

Hidden • Variety of illnesses, such as heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy and so on.

Source: Buhalis, D., & Darcy, S. (2008). Accessible tourism. Bristol: Channel View Publication.

Concept• Physical access and access to information• Transport• Accommodation• Attractions

• Direct and negative effect on:• Tourist numbers• Quality

• Reason• Ignorance • Lack of awareness customer’s need

Source: ENAT. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2013, from European Network for Accessible Tourism http://www.accessibletourism.org/?i=enat.en.faq.744

ENAT

• European Network for Accessible Tourism• improve accessibility in the tourism sector • existing knowledge• Put this knowledge to use

Source: ENAT. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2013, from European Network for Accessible Tourism http://www.accessibletourism.org/?i=enat.en.faq.744

Case study

• Scandic Hotels• First in the World to Offer Everyone Interactive Web Training on

Disabilities• answers to difficult and sometimes sensitive questions• checklist of 110 points

Source: Scandic. (n.d.). Accessibility for all. Retrieved December 2013, from Scandic: http://www.scandichotels.com/Always-at-Scandic/Special-needs/

Web training

Web training

Web training

Web training

Web training

Web training

Web training

Web training

Conclusion

• Personal opinions• Useful for other sectors• Opportunity yes but also personal well-being• Professionalism

Questions?

http://news.gtp.gr/2013/12/03/accessible-tourism-recommendations-unwto/

Bibliography• Buhalis, D., & Darcy, S. (2008). Accessible tourism. Bristol:

Channel View Publication.• ENAT. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2013, from European

Network for Accessible Tourism: http://www.accessibletourism.org/?i=enat.en.who_we_are

• ENAT. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2013, from European Network for Accessible Tourism http://www.accessibletourism.org/?i=enat.en.faq.744

• Scandic. (n.d.). Accessibility for all. Retrieved December 2013, from Scandic: http://www.scandichotels.com/Always-at-Scandic/Special-needs/