RESOURCES
RESOURCES: PAPERS & PRESENTATIONS
| Author : | Andreas Kagermeier |
|---|---|
| School/Work Place : | Trier University, Germany |
| Contact : | andreas@kagermeier.de |
| Year : | 2016 |
Although the discussion on Accessible Tourism has increased in intensity over the past 20 years, and by now there are even a few examples of Good Practices being implemented, it nevertheless must be pointed out that this approach is not yet so widespread that it can be seen as part of the mainstream – Accessible Tourism must still be regarded as a niche segment.
One of the reasons often cited for the relatively low penetration rate of offers designated as “Accessible Tourism” is the high costs of investment and the lack of short-term yields. Another hurdle to a broader offer of Accessible Tourism is a certain “barrier in the mind”. Broader dissemination of “Tourism for All” options represents a major challenge, particularly for destination management organisations. Destination management organisations are particularly well-equipped to undertake such actions; however, merely implementing a general CSR programme is likely to be insufficient. This paper argues that supportive governmental structures have to be implemented if a more comprehensive level of Accessible Tourism is to be attained.
