accessible tourism germany - travelling in a wheelchair to germany
DESCRIPTION
Presentation about accessible tourism in Germany and www.travelhands.eu An overview of inititiatives for disabled travellers, travellers in a wheelchair or travellers with reduced mobility in Germany and some of the features www.travelhands.eu has to offer disabled travellers coming to Germany, for example accessible Berlin. Travelhands.eu is the first marketplace for accessible travel products. You’ll find anything to arrange your accessible trip independently. From wheelchair rental, xl taxi, tours for blind travellers, travel assistance to accessible accommodation in Germany.TRANSCRIPT
Cities without borders, Tourism without borders
Alanya, Turkey, November 26th, 2011
Nicole Bosch - CEO Travelhands.eu
Topics of presentation
• Accessible Travel Initiatives in Germany– Natko
– National Tourism Board
– Barriere-Free Destinations
– Individual Regional Initiatives
• Travelhands -> online marketplace for accessible travel
Studies by Federal Government
• “Economic Impulses of Accessible Tourism for All” (2003)
• „Analysis of success factors and development of actions to increase the quality of accessible Tourism for All in Germany" (2007)
• Findings:-Accessibility gained more acceptance in German Tourism-“What is missing is: a comprehensive sustainable strategic and operational plan regarding the nature of the offering and marketing along the entire travel service chain.“
Potential
• Market: 6,7 million Germans with a disability
• 1/3 of Germans will be older than 65 in the next years
• 30/35 procent of Germans have reduced mobility
• Economic impact: 4,8 Billion Euro, 90.000 extra jobs (Source: BmWi 2003)
Natko
• Accessible Tourism Organisation supported by associations for the Disabled (since 1999)
• Main activities: Consultant / trainings, checking of accessibility
Germany National Tourism Board
• Selected listings of destinations and associations for disabled travellers
• General information about accessible Travel to Germany
Barrier-Free Destinations in Germany
• Cooperation of 7 partners in Germany (since 2008)
• sharing of best practices
• Joint promotion of accessible tourism
Individual / regional Initiatives
• Accessible Black Forest (Natko Project)
Individual/regional Initiatives
Individual/regional Initiatives
Findings
• More general acceptance for accessible travel in Germany
• Pioneering role of some destinations / regions (Erfurt, Düsseldorf) -> achievement: competitive advantage
• Single initiatives (regions, cities, or cooperation) -> most activities are carried out by “motivated” individuals, hardly considered strategically and on a long term basis
• Online Information is fragmented and selective, development and marketing along the entire tourism service chain is still missing on the Internet
• Difficult to book services directly online
• Information often in German only
Online Booking of Trips* in EuropeTr
ips
(1.0
00.0
00)
*Trip = one night or more, exluding daily tripsSource: Eurostat, Travelhands research
www.travelhands.eu
Travelhands
• Online marketing / booking of accessible travel services
• along the entire travel chain
• give all suppliers opportunity to market in the travel chain and towards disabled travellers
• In German, Englisch and Dutch
• Nation wide Germany -> Europe wide
Organization(Preparation,Information,Booking)
Travel to and fromDestination
Tours aroundDestination
Arrival andOrientation
Lodging
Eating & Drinking
Shopping
SportActivities
Cultural Activities/Sightseeing
Services at Destination& Medical Care
Local Transport
Going to Berlin…
Direct contact
Quality Reviews
Marketing Channel for Destinations
Conclusions
• Seniors /disabled are the fastest growing demographic in Internet use
• Growing market demand for individual accessible travel due to democraphic changes (aging population and the retirement of the Baby Boomers)
• Tourism industry will find new markets and increase of turnover if they’ll cater for the new and growing consumer groups and their demands
• Accessible travel is a innovative approach to improve quality and service for destinations and to remain competitive
Teşekkür ederim!
Nicole Bosch, CEO Travelhands.eu
www.travelhands.eu
http://www.facebook.com/Travelhands.eu
Twitter: @travelhands
http://de.linkedin.com/in/nmbosch