Accessible tourism

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Accessible tourism global trends and development

• Moscow , March 13, 2011
• LILIAN MÜLLERENAT

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Accessible Tourism - a growing global trend
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Demographic changes
Population share of persons aged 60 and older
Source European Commission Europes demographic
future facts and figures
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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.

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Accessible tourism tourism for all
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Accessibility for all
Comfortable for 100 of the population
Necessary for 10 of the population
Essential for 40 of the population
Design for all Foundation
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Main obstacles

• Lack of accessible facilities (buildings, outdoor
  environment, transports e t c) in the tourism
  service chain, and lack of accessible
  destinations
• Lack of reliable information about the level of
  accessibility
• Lack of awareness and knowledge among tourism
  providers

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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

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Accessible tourism tourism for all

• Tourism offers along the whole tourism chain
• that 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

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Accessible offers along the entire tourism
service-chain
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Why investing in Accessible tourism ?

• More visitors
• Prolonged seasons
• New job opportunities
• Increased tax incomes
• Decreased need of public assistance

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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
• SMEs investing in accessible tourism are
  successful

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Accessible tourism in Europe
Training and education
Training and education
National accessibility schemes
Standards and labels
Networks and cooperation
Training and education
Accessible destinations
Specialised travel agents /tour operators
Knowledge research
Governmental actions regulations and laws
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European initiatives

• Passengers rights (Air passengers, Bus
  directive)
• European Accessible Cities Award
• Calypso

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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

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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 !

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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

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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

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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

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ENAT membership

• Members from 5 continents
• Yearly fee 25-300 Euro
• Sign up on www.accessibletourism.org

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Thank you for your attention!

• lilian.muller_at_equality.se