Tourism is accessible to everyone. Master class
Accessible tourism (accessibleTourism) or, as it is often called, tourism for all (tourismforall), is one of the most dynamically developing segments of the tourism market. There is practically no information about accessible tourism in Russian. There are also no expert studies of the capacity of the Russian accessible tourism market. In the Russian Federation there are 13.074 million (Rosstat, 2009) disabled people and about 2 million disabled children, about 3 million patients with diabetes, about 15 thousand patients currently on hemodialysis. About half of disabled people with limited mobility (in wheelchairs) are young people under the age of 40. They take an active life position and learn new professions. Inclusive education will also bear fruit. Demand in the tourism market, accessible to all, will grow in the coming years.
According to the UN, there are about 650 million people with disabilities in the world (about 10%) (of which about 200 million are children with disabilities), in European countries people with disabilities make up from 22% to 37% of the population (Eurostat, 2007) - a total of 60 million.
And completely different statistics: in Moscow there are 32 thousand working disabled people. The call center on Ogorodny Proezd employs about 1,000 blind people. It is planned to open another such call center, almost twice as large. There are other projects to create jobs for people with disabilities, perhaps not so large-scale. In addition, many have family, friends, and everyone has a desire to discover something new and travel. “Don’t worry too much about my rights, pay attention to my wallet!”, advised the head of the Spanish Society of the Blind, Jesus Hernandez, to representatives of the tourism industry.
Disabled people travel less actively than other EU citizens: from 37% in the UK to 53% in Germany. Meanwhile, 11% of all tourist trips in Europe and 7% worldwide are made by travelers with special needs, most often in the company of family members or friends.
Over the past 10 years, experts have noted dynamic growth in this segment of the tourism market, although even abroad it is still difficult to call it massive. However, the demand for affordable tourism is growing all over the world, and is emerging in Russia.
The meaning of terms that define tourism for people with disabilities has been the subject of scientific debate for more than 20 years. In addition, the term “Tourism accessible to all” is enshrined in international regulations.
Experts cite fear and inevitable discomfort caused by limited mobility or cognitive abilities in people with visual and hearing impairments, as well as a narrow understanding of the term “accessible tourism” and confusion around this concept as one of the reasons for low demand.
On the Russian tourism market, you can find various offers for people with disabilities: “travel for the disabled,” “paratourism,” “disabled tourism,” “tourism for the disabled,” “tourism for the deaf,” “tourism for the blind,” “rehabilitation tourism,” “correctional and educational tourism”.
Often this also includes “social tourism” - travel subsidized by the state from funds allocated for social needs (Federal Law “On the Fundamentals of Tourism Activities in the Russian Federation” 132-FZ dated November 24, 1996)
The terms used abroad are “tourism for all”, “accessible tourism”, “inclusive tourism”, “barrier-free tourism”.
It is difficult to say which term will take root in Russia. Affordable tourism is often called low-budget tours, and inclusive tourism is a tourism product in which transport services are paid simultaneously with meals, accommodation and other tourist services - “all-inclusive”.
Potential consumers of this segment of the tourism market are not only disabled and elderly people, but also their guardians and members of their families, families with small children.
Inclusive tourism (fr. inclusif - including, lat. include - conclude, include) is a process of tourism development that implies the accessibility of tourism for everyone, in terms of adapting the infrastructure of tourist centers and tourist attractions to the various needs of all people, including , disabled people, the elderly, their guardians and family members, people with temporary disabilities, families with small children.
Inclusive tourism concept - traveling around the world. Its foundation is universal design, the seven principles of which were formulated and implemented more than 30 years ago under the leadership of wheelchair architect Ron Mace and colleagues at North Carolina State University. Universal design is also reflected in the legal acts of the Russian Federation - GOSTs, SNIPs, standards. An accessible environment created according to the principles of universal design is vital for 10% of the world's population, needed by 40% of the population and convenient for everyone.
Disabled tourism is a type of recreational tourism designed for people with disabilities.
I noticed an interesting poster on the wall.
A young man in a wheelchair was depicted against the backdrop of a modern airport. The poster read the affirmative title “Travel is everyone’s right.” This call or slogan has been floating around in my head for some time. And, indeed, I realized that there are so many interesting places in this world that I long to see and that are already ready and adapted for me - tourist in a wheelchair.
What should we call tourism for the disabled?
When I started delving into the topic tourism for people with disabilities, the first thing I realized was that I was confused in the terminology. Some call this type of tourism “social” or “tourism for everyone”, also heard the definition "invatourism", others call this type of tourism - "inclusive tourism".
Often "inclusive tourism“is confused with the tourist term “all inclusive” - “all inclusive”, I just want to draw your attention to the fact that not everything, but EVERYTHING without exception, including disabled tourists.
I have also heard the phrase used "rehabilitation" tourism, yes, I agree that tourism can be a good rehabilitation - both physical and moral, but I would not choose such a name, it’s somehow gloomy...
In Western sources about tourism for people with disabilities, the phrase “ accessible tourism", which translated into Russian means – "accessible tourism". I really like this definition. I don’t understand the phrase at all "disabled tourism", sounds somehow worn out, with a humiliating aftertaste.
"Affordable tourism",in the broadest sense, includes transport, information, and even financial.
Why develop tourism for disabled people?
I'm sure it's a niche accessible tourism should develop rapidly. And bring good profits to the owners of tourist centers and entertainment complexes.
Development and modernization can be financially and socially justified. If we ask anyone wheelchair user where he is resting, we will most likely hear the answer - “in a sanatorium”. Not because he wants to go there and this is his conscious choice of vacation, but there is simply no big alternative. Nowhere.
The same can be said for people with hearing and vision impairments who need slightly different accessibility. If for wheelchair user important – ramp, wide doors, then for – tactile directions, teflocomments, audio description.
Often when the whole family gets together on vacation, they first of all think “what to do with elderly family members, or with a relative who has a disability?” Leave me alone at home? No. Take it with you on a trip? No. The location and transport are not adapted.
There are not many accessible tourist complexes that can and are ready to accept.
I personally have been ignoring specialized sanatoriums for five years now. I don’t want to be treated like a patient and have the notorious “medical history.” I want to rest and gain new strength and impressions, and not savor the diagnosis. When and where I should undergo treatment or rest, I want to decide for myself.
And not when the state deigns to give me a ticket to a sanatorium, and often at the wrong time for this.
Is it available?
To be fair, it must be said that financial accessibility also plays an important role in the topic of accessible tourism. Most hotels in the four or five star categories have long had . This is a condition of the tourist market in assigning a “star” rating to a hotel. But are they financially accessible to most people with disabilities? I can confidently say “no”. in the world-famous Radisson Blu hotel chain in Kyiv costs neither more nor less - about 300 euros per night.
Yes, there is something to think about...
And away from home, you also want to feel comfortable and be independent of other people.
Last year I managed to visit several European countries. For me tourism– this is a contribution to my self-development and to the quality of my life. This is my personal way to meet interesting people and get to know myself better, enjoy new tastes and smells. After every trip I come home refreshed. I want to believe that I am wiser and more patient. And I really want to repeat the call from that poster again “Travel is everyone’s right”. And mine too. 🙂
Everyone wants to live in a fair society - and be able to travel with ease. We figured out what inclusive tourism is and why it is important for everyone.
What is inclusion?
First, let’s understand what “inclusivity” or “inclusion” means. This is a principle of organizing life in society that allows all people to participate in its various aspects (everyday life, education, culture and art), regardless of their appearance, origin, gender, or state of health.
Inclusive tourism means that all travelers can enjoy tourism services without restrictions, independently of other people, on equal terms and with dignity. In particular, attention is paid to travelers with special accessibility needs. This may be accessibility in movement, visual and auditory accessibility. Accessibility means equal access to infrastructure, transport, information and communications. This is the definition of the World Tourism Organization.
The basic principle of inclusive tourism is universal design, that is, taking into account special needs and at the same time suitable for all categories of people.
What other names can you find?
In addition to “inclusive tourism,” you can also come across the following concepts (they all mean the same thing):
Tourism for all
Barrier-free tourism / tourism without barriers
Accessible tourism
Can you give me a couple of examples?
You've probably already come across many of these examples while traveling around Europe and the USA, when you easily get to the station with a huge suitcase, without stumbling on any curbs - because there are none on your way.
Other examples:
Information plates and signs are written in a clearly legible, contrasting font.
The width of the doors is no less than 85 cm, the thresholds are no more than 2 cm; to enter, you do not need to climb the steps. The width of city paths and alleys is at least 180 cm: this allows people to walk in different directions, as well as for a pedestrian and a person in a wheelchair to move side by side. Inclusive tourism means that the same paths are laid out to the beaches.
All necessary objects (for example, switches, handles, sockets) are no higher than 120 cm and no lower than 40 cm, so that they can be reached while standing or sitting.
You don't have to climb steps to get on a bus or train.
The spaces are well lit, with transitions between different spaces marked with contrasting colors and textures. Pedestrian crossings are clearly marked and have light and sound signals.
Accessibility of information: excursions in sign language, museums adapted for visually impaired or hearing impaired people.
More details in guidelines for inclusive tourism .
One more point: inclusive tourism is not only accessible and comfortable cities, but also a service that is ready to work with all people and their needs. People with disabilities may need additional services: for example, a veterinary service for guide dogs or repair services for prosthetics and equipment, adapted taxis.
Is this only important for people with disabilities?
With the development of inclusive tourism, traveling becomes easier for everyone. Benefits from universal design include:
People with disabilities and people with diseases of vision, hearing, musculoskeletal system;
Parents with children, pregnant women;
Elderly people;
Travelers who do not know a foreign language;
Travelers with heavy luggage.
So inclusive tourism will be useful to you now, not to mention when you retire - you’re not going to sit at home, are you?
Have you ever wondered what difficulties people with disabilities face when traveling? For any tourist, the main thing before a trip is to be prepared for it not only mentally, but also physically. And for people burdened with temporary or permanent restrictions, as well as for older people, this is even more important.
Sandy beaches, huge pools, beautiful views - this is a standard description of a hotel in one of the most popular tourist destinations. But for a disabled traveler, it is much more important to see in this description whether there are handrails or ramps on the hotel premises, because just a couple of steps can make the golden sand of the beach inaccessible to him. With such a rapid pace of development of the tourism industry as we observe today, and close international communication, including the exchange of experience among participants in the tourism industry, in fact, there are no difficult barriers to affordable tourism. As for our country, there is, of course, a lack of experience in this area - hence the lack of training of staff to serve clients with disabilities, inconvenience in using transport or accessing tourist places.
HOW DOES THEY HAVE IT?...
In Europe, tourism for the disabled is a developed, profitable business; each country has up to 20 specialized tour operators.
That is why it is easier for a tourist with disabilities in European countries to assess the complexity of routes, the intensity and duration of the trip. After all, when drawing up a route, it is necessary to take into account all the recommendations of the attending physician, coupled with the wishes of the tourist and his family members. All travel details must be developed in accordance with the specifics of the client.
The presence of a relative or friend of a traveler with special needs is not always required. If this is not directly related to a medical factor, and is not an essential condition for the safety of life and health of a tourist, then it depends entirely on the wishes of the traveler. He can go on a trip with his relatives, friends or with a personal assistant.
If necessary, an assistant can be provided for the duration of the entire trip or at necessary moments.
AS AN EXAMPLE - SLOVENIA
In recent years, Slovenia has become much better adapted to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
Among the Slovenian cities that are systematically improving accessibility for people with disabilities, special mention should be made of Ljubljana, Maribor, Ajdovščina and many tourist destinations. In Europe, 70% of the total number of people with disabilities travel. The demand for “accessible tourism” (accessible tourism - a term most often applied to tourism for people with disabilities) is constantly growing.
All public buildings and tourist attractions that are not yet accessible for disabled people usually have at least some designated parking spaces at the entrance.
In the Slovenian capital, even the main railway station is equipped for access by people with disabilities. There is a very high percentage of city buses that have low thresholds and audio announcements about the names of stops.
Also, almost everywhere there are usually equipped toilets for the disabled. Many Slovenian cities have specially configured sidewalks. Every day there are more and more low-mounted ATMs for easier access for people with disabilities, as well as ATMs that use Braille for the blind and visually impaired.
One of the most popular Slovenian tourist attractions, Ljubljana Castle, can be reached via a funicular, which is equipped for disabled access. People with disabilities are also taken care of at the Ljubljana Zoo. Also, disabled people can get to the main city post office without any problems.
Convenient access for disabled people is also provided in some city museums and galleries.
IN RUSSIA
Russian tour operators today offer various excursion tours around the Golden Ring, Moscow, St. Petersburg and so on as “affordable tourism”.
EXOTIC COUNTRIES
As surprising as it may sound, traveling to exotic countries is almost more affordable than traveling to some parts of Europe. New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, China - these destinations are now actively developing; tour operators specializing in affordable tourism operate in these countries. They offer active recreation, cruises - a wide variety of tours for people with disabilities.
STATE QUALITY SIGN “TOURISM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES”
This brand offers people with disabilities complete and reliable information about special services and equipment throughout the country. It unites institutions where the quality of service best satisfies customers.
The mark is assigned to all tourism professionals, i.e. hotels, restaurants, attractions and leisure facilities.
The mark is assigned on a voluntary basis. Each institution can submit an application and fill out a special questionnaire, which assesses the degree of accessibility for people with disabilities.
If this first stage is completed successfully, an independent assessment is carried out, activity is monitored and all special equipment is registered.
The sign is assigned by the Association “Tourism for People with Disabilities” for 5 years, and can be extended after passing control for compliance with certain requirements. It comes in 4 categories: for people with defects in the motor-skeletal system, vision, hearing and with mental disabilities.
