ACCESSIBLE TOURISM IMIC 2 February 2006 Dr. Aris Ikkos, ISHC

Disability in the World Accessible Tourism Accessibility in Greece Accessibility Plan Contents

3 Categories of Disabled People Wheelchair users Reduced Mobility Visual Impairments Hearing Impairments Asthma & Allergies Mental Disabilities Reading Difficulties

4 Disabled, Aged & Temporarily Disabled People in Europe 120 mln. – 89 mln. Potential Tourists Source : Eurostat, OSSATE

Disability in the World Accessible Tourism Accessibility in Greece Accessibility Plan Contents

6 Disability & Tourism Many disabled have medium / high income Vacation Packages provided by Social Security 50% of disabled would travel more if services were provided to them Disabled in US (Open Doors Organization-Harris Interactive Study) –By 2030, they will increase by 30 mln. –In 2002 spent $13,6 δις in trips –40% of travellers, travelled outside US: 44% to Europe: Germany (28%), Un. Kingdom (28%), France (25%)

7 Characteristics of Accessible Tourism Book in Advance Internet / open forums Total accessibility Loyal customers With family, friends, and/or carers Travelling out of season as well Accessible destinations: –Competitive advantage => high occupancy / prices –Friendly profile / use for all travellers.

8 Servicing Disabled Tourists Destination Management Organisations Internet, Travel Agencies Source : OSSATE Persons with the highest level of access needs Persons with access needs Persons with all kinds of access needs Persons with low access needs Disability Organisations & Charities Specialised Travel agencies

9 Natural Accessibility Barriers

10 Non-Natural Accessibility Barriers & Solutions

11 Non-Natural Accessibility Barriers & Solutions

12 Social Accessibility Barriers

13 Social Accessibility Barriers

14 Economic Accessibility Barriers & Solutions

15 European Accessibility Label Rules Standards Symbols Services Accessibility of destinations is easily compared

Disability in the World Accessible Tourism Accessibility in Greece Accessibility Plan Contents

17 Evaluation of Accessibility

18 Do you know that the following are fully accessible?

19 Accessibility in Acropolis

20 Does Actual Accessibility differ from that Promoted?

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22 Ιστοσελίδα ΕΟΤ

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24 Ranking of Greece as an Accessible Destination in the Med

25 Role of accessible tourism in reducing seasonality

Disability in the World Accessible Tourism Accessibility in Greece Accessibility Plan Contents

27 Methodology Design a future Without barriers Validate a destination removing barriers Acknowledgement of destinations function Contacts with involved authorities and parties Contacts with the affected social groups Preliminary study Extensive local examination of destination Detection and elevation of the problems PROCEDUREPROCEDURE Solutions Improve rural environment of destination Source: MHI turismo

28 Accessibility Plan Strategy Long-term Design of Action Short-term Objectives Identification Involved parties Sensitization Involved parties Provision of Total Cost Management of Plan Application Points of Action PUBLIC AREAS BUILDINGS TRANSPORTATION COMMUNICATION Source: MHI turismo

29 Campus accessibility map

30 Accessible Historic Cities Venice

31 Accessibility Plan Contents Examination of Accessibility Completed Accessibility Plan Accessibility Plan Implementation of Accessibility Plan Manuals and Guides of Technical Execution Legislation Generation of Qualifications Consulting Proceedings Source: MHI turismo

Thank you Dr. Aris Ikkos, ISHC