Session 2. The Imperative of Advancing Tourism for All. Ivor Ambrose Managing Director ENAT European Network for Accessible Tourism

Transcription

1 Session 2. The Imperative of Advancing Tourism for All Ivor Ambrose Managing Director ENAT European Network for Accessible Tourism

2 Accessible Tourism is: Universally designed Tourism for All Making environments, venues and services suitable for the widest range of customers, including people with disabilities, seniors, families with small children and many more. Equal opportunity to enjoy tourism experiences Accessibility: Comfort, Safety, Sustainability

3 Tourism open to everyone 3

4 Access needs of all kinds, not only Mobility requirements Visual impairments Hearing impairments Learning Difficulties Different stature Service animal Asthma-Allergy Long-term illness Temporary impairment Pregnant women Tired, stressed Not understanding the language And more

5 Accessible Tourism is: Universally designed Tourism for All Making environments, venues and services suitable for the widest range of customers, including people with disabilities, seniors, families with small children and many more. Equal opportunity to enjoy tourism experiences Accessibility: Comfort, Safety, Sustainability

6 Accessible Tourism: A Global, Multi-dimensional Phenomenon Your North African tourist guide Cultures meet

7 Accessible Tourism: A Global, Multi-dimensional Phenomenon Compete on a level playing field Play to win Gold!

8 Accessible Tourism: A Global, Multi-dimensional Phenomenon Cultural experiences Guided tour for young people with learning difficulties (T-Guide training)

9 Tourism for All brings Benefits for All Visitors Businesses Tourism destinations

10 The Problem: For visitors with access needs Lacking access information - travel can be unpredictable, difficult or sometimes even impossible Quality of services and information varies widely More expensive? What if something goes wrong? Lack of access standards So why bother to travel? Or just stick to the places you know

11 The Problem: For public enterprises & private businesses Customers needs and requirements are unknown or misunderstood Investment costs are misunderstood, exaggerated Access is seen mainly as a problem rather than a golden opportunity

12 Actions are needed on every level International Destination (Continent / World Region) Tourism 3. Commercialisation Businesses 1. Awarenessraising National Destination Regional Destination 2. Promotion Local Destination

13 Turismo de Portugal All for All Accessible Tourism Development Supporting innovation Investing in Tourism for All EURO 5 Million government funding 90% grants for access improvements DMOs as partners, engaging with suppliers Accessible Tourism Destination Handbook Manual de Gestão de Destinos Turísticos Acessíveis, 2017 Turismo Acessível delivered by

14 Accessible Travel Online Resources UNWTO Accessible Tourism Brochure for World Tourism Day, nt/accessible-tourism City Palace, Jaipur. Yoko Whyte m.org/?i=enat.en.news.198 8

15 The Accessible Tourism Directory The global marketing platform by ENAT for: Tourism suppliers With accessible offers: - to attract customers and - find B2B partners and travel directory for: Visitors seeking accessible facilities, services and experiences 700 Suppliers in Europe Now opening to the World

16 The global accessible Tourism marketing platform Accessible Travel Everywhere!

17 Follow Accessible Travel Bloggers Thomas and Telma Travel & Adventure with British Sign Language Xun Ji 146,000 followers & counting Martyn Sibley, UK s 3 rd most influential disabled person

18 European Accessibility Act 18

19 Join us 2 nd World Summit: Destinations for All Brussels, Belgium, October

20 Thank you

21 Accessible Tourism Extras

22 Benefits to Visitors Accessibility Being Included! Feeling Welcome Personalized Services Travel with Family or Friends Unique Experiences Enhanced Self Esteem Personal Fulfillment Greater Independence Enjoy Events, Culture, Arts, Sports Opportunities for Education, Business, Cultural Exchange

23 Benefits to Business & Destinations Accessibility Improve Quality Differentiate New Market Opportunities Social Responsibility Repeat Visits & Recommendations Civic Pride More Competitive A Better Welcome Respond to Changing Markets Create a Unique Selling Proposition Reduce Seasonality Investment & Jobs Economic, Social & Environmental Sustainability

24 Accessible Tourism Demand Study European Union, 2014 "Accessible tourism" generated 786 billion gross turnover in EU in 2012 Supports 9 million jobs But only 9% of Europe's tourism services are accessible to some degree, for some visitors EU Study, 2015, GFK

25 Accessible Tourism Market Europe UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain have largest populations of people with access needs, all above 10 million. People with access needs took 783 million trips within the EU (2012) Demand is expected to grow to 862 million trips per year by 2020, (+ 1.2% per year). EU Study, 2015, GFK

26 Travel companions People with access needs travel with 1.9 companions (on average) On average: People with disabilities companions Older people +1.6 companions EU Study, 2015, GFK

27 Accessible Tourism (England) Which disabilities? Visitor Survey (2013) - groups where one of the members has a disability or long-term health condition Source: VisitEngland

28 Accessible Tourism (England) Accessible Tourism spend: 12.4 BN Source: VisitEngland

29 Accessible Tourism (England) Stay longer Spend more Source: VisitEngland

30 The Visitor Journey Suppliers Suppliers Suppliers Suppliers Suppliers Suppliers

31 The Accessible Tourism Supply Chain A chain is only as strong as the weakest link... Information arrival local transport eat, sleep shopping visit attractions departure

32 The Accessible Tourism Supply Chain Information arrival local transport eat, sleep shopping visit attractions If just one link in the chain is broken (inaccessible) the trip will be spoiled... departure