accessible tourism – global trends and development moscow, march 13, 2011 lilian mÜller enat
TRANSCRIPT
Accessible tourism – global trends and development
Moscow , March 13, 2011LILIAN MÜLLER
ENAT
Accessible Tourism - a growing global trend
Demographic changes
Population share of persons aged 60 and older
Source: European Commission: Europe’s demographic future – facts and figures
UN convention: Rights for persons with disabilities
Article 9:…..”To ensure that private entities that offer facilities and services which are open or provided to the public take into account all aspects of accessibility for persons with disabilities”
Article 30: ..”To ensure that persons with disabilities have access to sporting, recreational and tourism venues”.
Accessible tourism – tourism for all
Accessibility for all
Necessary for 10 % of the population
Essential for 40% of the population
Comfortable for 100% of the population
Design for all Foundation
Main obstacles
1) Lack of accessible facilities (buildings, outdoor
environment, transports e t c) in the tourism service chain, and lack of accessible destinations
2) Lack of reliable information about the level of accessibility
3) Lack of awareness and knowledge among tourism providers
Accessible tourism – the undiscovered business case
…..Are more loyal to a destination
……Spends more money than the average tourist
……Prefer to travel in low seasons
……Are seldom travelling alone
Source: Barrierefreier Tourismus für Alle in Deutschland – Erfolgsfaktoren und Maßnahmen zur Qualitätssteigerung” , www.bmwi.de
Accessible tourism – tourism for all
Tourism offers along the whole tourism chainthat are designed for all = 100% of the population.
Products, services and venues……• May be used by widest possible circle of users as
possible, without modification• Can easily be adjusted to meet different needs• Use of individual auxiliary aids is possible• Potential users are involved in the development
Accessible offers along the entire tourism service-chain
Why investing in Accessible tourism ?
• More visitors• Prolonged seasons• New job opportunities• Increased tax incomes• Decreased need of public assistance
Current development and trends
• Growing awareness of the market potential• Public actions are supporting the
development• Destination networks• Growing competition • Growing demand of advisory and training• SME’s investing in accessible tourism are
successful
Accessible tourism in Europe
National accessibility schemes
Training
and education
Standards and labels
Governmental actions;
regulations and laws
Specialised
travel agents
/tour
operators
Networks and
cooperation
Accessible destinations
Knowledge &
research
Training and education
Training and education
European initiatives
• Passengers rights (Air passengers, Bus directive)
• European Accessible Cities Award • Calypso
Accessible tourism – what is needed ?
• Detailed, reliable, updated information • A professional welcoming + high level of
service• Good accessibility in all parts of the
service chain• Accessible information /booking/communication
Planning for better accessibility…
• Most of the measures are easy and cheap• Plan for better accessibility in all investments• Cooperate with other tourism businesses and
public actors
Think DESIGN FOR ALL !
Accessible destinations – some successfactors
• Strategic long-term planning for accessibility• Public and private co-operation• Training and education of staff• Use external expertise• Exchange of knowledge and good practises• Marketing through mainstream and targeted
channels
ENAT – what we do
• Represents our members• Collects and disseminates information about
Accessible Tourism • Linking the Members (networking) • Working groups• A resource centre for accessible tourism good
practice, research and development
ENAT tools for tourism industry
• Code of Good conduct scheme for businesses
• Accessibility audits, training, support• Tools for self assessments, accessibility
statements, europeforall.com• Accessibility guidelines – CEN workshop
ENAT membership
• Members from 5 continents• Yearly fee 25-300 Euro• Sign up on www.accessibletourism.org
