CTO: Prepares action plans for accessible tourism

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Specific action plans for accessible tourism are being prepared by the Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO), with the aim of providing access for people with disabilities to enjoy their holidays in Cyprus, opening the door to a specialized tourism sector that is undoubtedly a large market. global, while it also derives from the obligations of Cyprus towards the European Union.

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At a Conference organized on Tuesday on accessible tourism by the Cyprus Tourism Organization, it was stressed that accessibility is a primary right for all our fellow human beings and at the same time a moral obligation of the stakeholders of both the state and society as a whole.

The Deputy Director of CTO Annita Dimitriadou stated in her greeting that accessible tourism does not concern a small group of our fellow human beings. "There are about 138 million people in the EU with increased accessibility needs, who usually travel for off-peak holidays.

"The infrastructure and services friendly to people with increased accessibility needs, give a positive image to our island, upgrade the quality of our tourism product and show our respect and our culture as a people that respects every fellow human being", he added.

According to data, direct revenues from Accessible Tourism in the EU in 2012 amounted to € 352 billion, employing 4,2 million people. If the effect of the multiplier is taken into account, then the total turnover increases to € 786 billion. Research shows that improving accessibility could lead to a 24,2% increase in demand and an 18% increase in the financial contribution of European tourists by 2020.

Ms. Dimitriadou noted that accessible tourism provides more people with the opportunity to travel. "Cyprus is undoubtedly an attractive tourist destination and so the tourism industry is gaining more visitors, who prefer to travel outside peak times," he said.

The CTO, Ms. Demitriadou told KYPE, attaches special importance because in addition to attracting tourists and investing in infrastructure in general for the whole world, it is an area in which we must become more aware and make the right moves to do so. integrate into our policies. This, he noted, is a large number of tourists who must have the appropriate infrastructure around them as well as in the hotels where they stay to be able to come.

"We went to 37 beaches and created the infrastructure so that people with disabilities can have the opportunity to swim comfortably. Specifically, 11 of the 37 beaches in Cyprus are fully equipped for this purpose. In addition, the CTO operates a subsidy plan for hotel units to upgrade their infrastructure for hosting people with disabilities ", he stressed.

The whole issue, however, he noted, is also a matter for the State. The CTO, he said, although sensitized, tries to regulate what concerns him based on the laws and regulations that govern him, but it is also a matter of the state so that the whole system helps and is friendly to these people.

As it was said at the Conference, accessible tourism allows people with access needs, including motor, visual, auditory and mental dimensions of access, to act independently, with equality and dignity, by providing Designed for All tourism products, services and environment.

This definition includes everyone, including those traveling with children in wheelchairs, the disabled and the elderly. (Darcy and Dickson)

Disability, he stressed, is a social, not a medical problem. People with disabilities during their travels, often make reference to the unavailability of medical help and care.

People with increased accessibility needs are not a uniform group, but have different behaviors, attitudes and needs. In the built environment are considered as important factors the sanitary spaces, the parking spaces and the ease of use of the elevators.

As mentioned, social responsibility can be successfully combined with business goals. Investing in accessibility leads to an increase in the number of customers and is in line with the proper management of a successful business.

Accessibility destinations are usually focused on providing quality services in general. Successful accessible destinations implement some form of cooperation between service providers or guarantee accessible services to the tourism chain. The commitment of the Decision Making Centers and the training of the staff are key parameters of success.

Accessible tourism is considered a business opportunity but there is a lack of coordination, especially between the public and private sectors.

The prevailing perception is that accessibility is a feature for people with disabilities and not as an added convenience and service.

Source: KYPE