Development Of Accessible Tourism Research Articles

The importance of infrastructure in the development of accessible tourism

Accessible tourism is an area that has received only scant attention in Hungarian tourism research. A change in this is only visible in recent years, as a result of the work of a few researchers starting to focus on this issue. Based on the findings of a questionnaire survey, the author of this paper presents important characteristics of travel by people living with disabilities, discussing the need to develop its infrastructure. The issue of accessible tourism concerns approximately 10% of the population of Europe, so in addition to the social and moral magnitude of the issue, serving the travel needs of people living with disabilities is also significant for the economy. In order to create the special supply and to provide equal access of services for those concerned, their expectations and unique consumer habits must be known. As member of an Erasmus project called Peer Act, the author also details the research findings of four project partner countries (Germany, Italy, Spain and Croatia) where data was collected from small samples.

Accessible tourism as an educational resource for the socialization of children with disabilities

The key factors in the new economy are formation of an accessible environment for people with disabilities, including disabled children. This issue is one of the priorities of the states included in the world educational space and is considered as the realization of the constitutional rights of citizens. This activity was initiated by a number of international and domestic documents. In our country the formation of an accessible environment is carried out in the aspect of the implementation of the State Program of the Russian Federation «Accessibility», which provides for the creation of a barrier-free environment for the effective integration of citizens with disabilities into society. This initiates pedagogical research devoted to the study of the educational opportunities of accessible tourism for the full integration of children with disabilities in society. This circumstance confirms the relevance of our research and allowed us to formulate the research problem, which is to identify the possibilities of accessible tourism as an educational resource for the socialization of children with disabilities.The purpose of the research is to substantiate the possibilities of accessible tourism as an educational resource for the socialization of children with disabilities. To achieve this goal, the following research methods were used: the study of scientific literature and information from Internet sources, analysis, generalization, description.The results of the research are as follows the role of cultural and educational tourism as an effective tool for the social rehabilitation of minors with disabilities in a specially organized accessibleenvironment has been revealed. Using the example of barrier-free inclusive tourism, the experience of using the accessible environment as an educational resource for the socialization of children with disabilities has been described.Key conclusions are: cultural and educational tourism has an impact on the education of the personality of a disabled child, developing, first of all, his emotional and value attitude to cultural heritage and creating conditions for the spiritual sublimation of his needs, which can often not be satisfied in real life; the creation of a barrier-free environment in relation to tourism activities includes augmented reality technologies (mobile applications for museums, virtual tours, tours in sign language, tactile maps, etc.). The conclusion is drawn that the development of accessible tourism is a powerful factor in the socialization of children with disabilities in a new educational environment.

Prerequisites of development of an accessible tourism for everyone in the European Union


 
 
 Modern approaches of understanding the concepts of accessible tourism for everyone are analyzed in this paper. Accessible tourism for everyone means that anytourism product should be designed irrespective of age, gender and ability, and with no additional costs for customers with disabilities and specific access requirements. The role of the principles of universal design for accessible tourism for everyone is described. In contrast to the concept of accessibility, which only applies to low-mobility categories of the population and focuses on physical access to transport and premises, as well as access to information, the concept of universal design emphasizes creating the same conditions convenient for all users, without impersonating any of them. The connection between accessible tourism for everyone and the goal of sustainable development is revealed. Accessible tourism for everyone significantly contributes to the achievement most of sustainable development goals. Three main prerequisites for the development of accessible tourism for everyone in the European Union are determined and characterized by: existing accessibilitylegislation and standards at the global, European and national levels, population ageing and increase in the number of people with disabilities. In Ukraine there is a lack of accessibility standards for tourism facilities and services. It is important to transfer experiences and knowledge that exists in the European Union to Ukraine and ensure an adapted implementation to local requirements. A map of the most accessible cities of the European Union is created and the quantitative distribution of these cities by country of ownership is presented. Accessible to all tourism chain is analyzed on the example of Ljubljana city in Slovenia, which was twice noted by the European Commission as one of the most accessible.
 
 

Towards inclusive tourism? Stakeholder collaboration in the development of accessible tourism

ABSTRACTStakeholder collaboration is increasingly being lauded as important in the development of accessible tourism. The purpose of this study is to explore how stakeholders collaborate in the development of accessible tourism. Drawing on research conducted in Western Australia, the study utilises qualitative approaches in its exploration. The evidence from the study strongly indicates that there is minimal collaboration between stakeholders in the development of accessible tourism. The findings suggest that when there are multiple and diverse stakeholders at play, an organic, circulatory and developmental approach to stakeholder collaboration should be adopted to innovatively move towards inclusive tourism – an ideal that aspires to equal access and inclusion for all. To this end, four emergent interrelated themes are considered: control and coordination, communication, clarity of roles and responsibilities and collaboration and integration. From these themes, a framework that can be applied to encourage collaboration is proposed.

Impact of travel obstacles on the development of accessible tourism in Kazakhstan

Impact of travel obstacles on the development of accessible tourism in Kazakhstan

An effort to develop accessible tourism in Greece and Turkey: the MEDRA project approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop accessible tourism in two areas of Greece and Turkey. The areas of Drama in Greece and Mersin in Turkey have cooperated in the frame of MEDRA project to assess their potential and set up a plan for developing accessible tourism. Design/methodology/approach The choice of the two areas was not random. Mersin currently enjoys continuous development, as one of Turkey’s biggest ports and a free trade zone. Drama is a developing area in agricultural manufacturing and high-tech sectors with a rich physical environment which aspires to develop a healthy alternative tourism industry. Findings The findings include, amongst others, the identification of needs of tourists with disabilities, and the relevant historical evolution, legislative framework, international good practices, policy-improvement proposals, accessibility assessment in Mersin and Drama, and suggestions for developing accessible infrastructure together with the training of stakeholders. Practical/implications Greece although made a lot of progress regarding the issues of disability and accessibility still is not on the same level as many European countries, while Turkey has a lot to learn in order to deal with accessibility from a holistic point of view. Social/implications Both countries owe a large percentage of their national income, to the tourist industry and seek ways to gain advantages in this highly competitive sector. Originality/value The successful implementation of the MEDRA project constitutes an example worthy of a wider application in the development of accessible tourism, not only in the two countries but also to countries with similar characteristics.

Accessibility improvement interventions realised in Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki, Greece

Purpose Access to culture is a fundamental right of people with disabilities and a significant aspect in the development of accessible tourism. A visit to a monument provides an authentic experience which cannot be substituted by any representation. However, any interventions to improve accessibility should be made carefully, so as not to alter the monument’s character, or damage it visually or structurally. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical approach model was defined in the PROSPELASIS project for the improvement of accessibility in monuments which was applied in Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki. This approach contains the following steps: evaluation of existing accessibility level; definition of alternative solutions; creation of final studies, approval by archaeological authorities and implementation of interventions. Findings In six major Byzantine monuments significant improvements were realized which include: installation of two lifts and creation of a new staircase at Acheiropoietos; creation of a metal bridge, a new staircase and installation of a lift at Rotunda; opening of the secondary gate and creation of a ramp at the Heptapyrgion fortress; creation of an accessible toilet at the Saint Demetrios church; installation in the six monuments of a WiFi system providing text and audible information as well as information in Greek and International Sign Language; creation of two tactile models; creation of a “cultural route” connecting three major Byzantine monuments. Originality/value For the first time, to the knowledge, a set of interventions has been realized in Byzantine monuments focusing on various categories of people with disabilities, i.e. motor, visual, hearing and cognitive.

A methodology for facing the accessibility of monuments developed and realised in Thessaloniki, Greece

PurposeArchaeological sites and monuments, by their nature, do not allow major interventions to their structure, in order to abolish the obstacles that make them inaccessible. Any interventions should be made sensitively and carefully, so as not to alter the monument’s character or damage it, either visually or structurally. The project “PROSPELASIS” focused on creating a methodology for facing monuments’ accessibility and perceptibility problems for people with disabilities and testing its application at Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe creation of the proposed methodology was based on both research in relevant bibliography and the application of a form of “Delphi method” among involved actors. In this process persons specialized in accessibility and disability issues, persons with disability themselves, as well as employees of the 9th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities, archaeologists and experts in monuments’ restoration, participated.FindingsThe possible sites of interest for visitors with disabilities examined amount to 20 monuments which document the evolution of Byzantine architecture and are included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. In six major monuments (Acheiropoietos, Saint Demetrios, Saint Nicholaos Orphanos, Hagia Sofia, Rotunda, Heptapyrgion Fortress) significant accessibility improvements were realized in order to verify the methodology proposed.Practical implicationsA practical tool for improving monuments’ accessibility has been developed, open for use by any interested body.Social implicationsThe application of the methodology developed is beneficial for the promotion of the equality and non-discrimination principles.Originality/valueThe successful implementation of the proposed methodology and the importance that accessibility improvement of monumental sites has in the attraction of visitors with restricted mobility and perceptibility and the development of accessible tourism, constitute the results of this project not only pertinent to Thessaloniki or Greece, but worthy of a wider application.

Understanding the complex interplay between tourism, disability and environmental contexts

Purpose. To explore and describe the complex issues and factors related to participation in tourism as perceived by people with disabilities in Hong Kong.Method. Naturalistic inquiry using key informant interviews and focus groups with 86 people with disabilities. Interviews were transcribed, translated and coded to develop themes and relationships. Triangulation of three investigators from different backgrounds occurred.Results. The Process of Becoming Travel Active emerged as a six-stage process, intricately related to the personal/disability context and the environmental/travel context. Personal and environmental factors contribute to the six-stage model explaining the complex interplay between tourism, disability and environmental context.Conclusion. Understanding the complexity provides insight into ways to increase active participation in tourism. Health, tourism and disability sectors have a role to play in the development of accessible tourism.