Accessible tourism for all – current state in the czech business and non-business environment

Abstract

Tourism is a sector of remarkable economic importance. Nowadays, new ways to develop tourism are being discovered. One of them is accessibility and social policy aspects. The aim of the paper is to map the possibilities for people with physical disabilities to participate in tourism in the Czech Republic. Following the aim, the article hypothesizes the existence of an interdependence between the number of visitors and the number of accessible accommodation establishments. At the same time, a hypothesis forms that in regions with a higher share of accommodation establishments of classes **** (First Class) and ***** (Luxury) there will be a higher number of barrier-free accommodation establishments available. It assesses the situation in all administrative regions while focusing on coverage of the territory with the capacity of accommodation establishments and restaurant & catering facilities, on the existence of accessible educational trails, tourist routes, and cycle routes. The article is also interested in possibilities to visit UNESCO world heritage sites. On the basis of the conducted analysis, it is possible to conclude that the situation in the Czech Republic in the area of accessible tourism is not particularly positive. The average share of barrier-free accommodation establishments in the country is 11% and 12% in restaurant&catering establishments. The most accessible routes, cycle routes, etc., are found in regions with national parks or attractive natural sites, such as Ceský raj, Krkonose, Sumava, and Ceske Svýcarsko. The situation in the Czech Republic in the area of providing disabled people with tourism services is improving in comparison with the past.