Wheelchair And TOurism

Tourism is one of the main reasons for a more barrier-free environment worldwide. Loads of tourism experts have learned about handicapped people as an increase in turnover. That way tourism triggers the establishment and set-up of barrier-free facilities even in those countries where no legal guidelines have been adopted as of yet. According to the Department of Statistics (Statistisches Bundesamt, Germany), there have been almost 10 million handicapped people in Germany in 2009. Slightly more than half of them are people with a walking disability. It can be well assumed that the number of those with a restricted mobility will be rising along the increasing average age of the population.

These figures can be understood a lot better when being put in a context with other touristy target groups: For instance, there are 420.000 active divers (1), approx. 400.000 golfers (2) and 500.000 boat owners (3) in Germany. Saying so, a barrier-free tourism not only contains a social aspect, but can also significantly push the economical growth of a region. The share of tourists who travel despite their reduced mobility will be increasing within the next few years, alongside a growing segment of barrier-free tourism.
To develop the segment of a barrier-free tourism is a highly demanding project which can only be handled successfully if all parties involved cooperate adequately. Barrier-free vacation does not begin at the front door of a hotel. Comprehensive action regarding the infrastructure are as well necessary as wheelchair-usable facilities and a marketing precisely focusing on the target group.

On the sub-pages of the category „wheelchair and tourism“ we give you some useful information on everything connected with barrier-free tourism.
Interesting projects from various touristy regions can be found here along with statistical evaluations taken from our surveys. The certification and valuation standards of various national and international associations and authorities are being presented as well on these sub-pages. By doing so we intend to make the market for barrier-free tourism for wheelchair users on the one hand and tourist companies on the other hand more transparent.

(1) tiv 2010
(2) 2004, Strukturen des Golfmarktes in Deutschland, Alexander V. Steinbrück
(3) 2008, Strukturen im Bootsmarkt, Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Wolf-Dieter Mell