Accessible tourism – global trends and development Moscow, March 13, 2011 LILIAN MÜLLER ENAT.

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

Thank you for your attention!

[email protected]