GR
Translation from the original text in Greek: Andreas Zafeiropoulos
Greece loses billions of euros yearly because it cannot capitalize on accessible tourism. Visitors with disabilities and their families, according to international surveys, manage quite a lot of money and are loyal customers to a place if served decently there while also spreading their positive impression pro bono at the PwD communities.
What does a hotel accessible to everyone mean?
Not a costly approach, but mostly simple things like:
- An elevator with a voice announcement for blind visitors to know which floor they are on.
- Technically accessible websites and social media that allow people with disabilities, with the use of specialized programs and methods of internet navigation, e.g., screen reading, etc., to access them.
- The guide dog should not be treated as a simple pet because it has a special permit and special treatment by Greek and international legislation; a wrong approach directly exposes the country internationally, let alone the company/business.
- The person in charge of the evacuation plan in case of emergency should have received instructions and training in case of a disabled customer within the hotel.
- For all information leaflets, brochures, and promotional material of the hotel, e.g., price lists, there should be a copy in Braille for the blind, as well as in large print for people with partial vision loss.
- A lower towel rack, therefore, appropriate for wheelchair users.
- A seminar for the hotel staff, focusing on how to interact with and serve PwD (correct vocabulary, ways to accompany properly, communication techniques, etc.).
NPO “Me Alla Matia”, operated by scientists with disabilities, provides expertise in accessibility. Since last year, we have been scientific advisors to the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation (HHF) on relevant issues.
See our business programs in detail here, which aim to strengthen your social profile and reach new customer groups for your business.
