How accessibility is good for business
As a service industry always thinking about the consumer first, we reflect on accessibility in tourism and how considering specific access requirements can bring economic benefits.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 15% of the population has some kind of need for accessibility assistance. 70% of Europeans with disabilities have physical and economic possibilities to travel.
According to the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) accessible tourism includes:
- Barrier-free destinations: infrastructure and facilities
- Transport (air, land and sea) suitable for all users
- High-quality services: delivered by trained staff
- Activities, exhibitions, attractions: allowing everyone to participate in tourism
- Marketing, reservation systems, websites and services: information accessible to all.
In that context, HOTREC is a partner of the DIVETOUR project funded by the Erasmus + programme. Targeting students and professionals as well as staff and organisations in tourism and hospitality, DIVETOUR is delivering innovative e-learning tools relating to accessible tourism.
The first deliverable, to be launched in January 2023, is an online training platform and open learning community (cMOOC). It will give access to the latest research in accessible tourism as a response to challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The cMOOC will enhance the dialogue among Vocational Education Training professionals and companies to share ideas and best practices. The second deliverable is a game-based app to foster awareness among students of the ethical and economic relevance of accessible tourism. Last but not least, a hotel chatbot will be developed to interact with clients and improve the quality of information about issues such as inclusiveness and accessibility.
So don’t miss your chance to embark on this accessible tourism journey and discover why the tourism sector and the hospitality industry can highly benefit from considering specific access requirements. Register to the cMOOC (available from 21 November 2022): MOOC – Divetour.
