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19. June 2016. | Vrdnik

One-day educational seminar on the situation of persons with disabilities in the field of tourism held on 19 June 2016 at the Premier Aqua Vrdnik.

After the presentation on accessibility in the context of tourism and presentation of the potential that this market bears, the participants had the opportunity to examine and verify the concept accessibility tour Ethno village Vrdnička Kula. The seminar was organized by League for People with Disabilities: Hendi Center Coloseum - Darko Ivic, with the support of the College of Tourism Studies in Belgrade - Vladimir Pavkovic, under the auspices of the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Issues - Nebojsa Milovic.

What is this seminar and who is it for?

- This is the first in a series of educational seminars that will be organized in several Serbian tourist centers. We started from the Vrdnik, with the idea that the workers of our tourism industry informed about the availability (or lack) of tourism services for persons with disabilities. The tourism industry is a broad term, there are hoteliers, tourist agency, tourism events, transportation companies, restaurants ... To all these facilities began to appreciate the diversity of their (potential) customers, the seminar is intended primarily to journalists, because they are the creators and catalysts of public opinion. Without co-operation with the media it is impossible to implement the change.

What is accessible tourism, in general, and why we care?

- Accessible tourism allows everyone, without exception, to the dignified manner using tourist services. According to statistics from the Federal Statistical Office in Serbia, over half a million people in Serbia has a disability. In the world there is 650 million persons with disabilities. So, here we are not talking about exceptions, but the population in large numbers. As my friend Darko Ivic has used to say: If you are not interested in empathy, at least you should be interested in economics.

Where do we start?

- In order to even be able to deal with accessible tourism, we need information from persons with disabilities: what is it that we can not see, not what we think, where the barriers and how to eliminate them? With these seminars we would like to point out the problem, imagine the different possibilities and give specific recommendations for implementation.

Usually information on the websites of hotels and other tourist facilities do not correspond to the real situation, because the lack of detailed descriptions of what is actually available. Is it enough just to enter the hotel!? If there is a ramp at the entrance, it does not mean that there is access to the bathroom, toilet, restaurant, pool, gym and other amenities. Even when there is access for wheelchair users, it is often assumed that they are strong in their hands - not always the case. Many people use a crane to transfer. In this case, not only is it important to enter rooms and bathrooms are spacious enough for a smooth passage to a wheelchair, but should bear in mind the possibility of setting up cranes at the bedside and in the bathroom. To crane could be placed under the bed, it is essential that the bed is lifted from the ground at least 20 inches. It is also recommended that the shower area is flush with the floor (without classical bathtubs), with handles for holding (which can be adapted for seating). I know, in our country there is no accommodation which satisfies all these criteria.

Disabled people make up 50 million people in the European Union (10% of the European population), which is equivalent to the population of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary and the Netherlands together. There is no doubt that investment in accessible tourism a profitable investment and that there is much room for improvement of tourist offer of this market segment.

Darko Ivić: Multiple profit. “I am not travel alone, always bring three to five people with me (personal assistant, driver, someone in the family). Someone might pay at the hotel just for the night and spend the money elsewhere. If all at affordable, i will further spend in the hotel: on the pool, on the restaurant, on the gym. Owners and managers of tourist facilities very easily can create a service that brings them money from people with disabilities. But, it seems that they still do not know how to take money from us. Additional services such as day trips adapted for people with disabilities bring extra money. Such services will certainly recommend it to friends. And, not only that: associations of persons with disabilities often organize seminars, conferences, training for groups of 30 through 150 to 200 people. Is it worth it - even if the seminar lasts only a day or two? Sometimes it takes five. The hotel is adapted for people with disabilities on it can build a reputation of a socially responsible company - which is a good marketing strategy that attracts investors. So do not talk about compassion and mercy - no one here looks for a free room - we' re talking about people with disabilities as consumers. “

Premier Aqua Vrdnik hotel has one room adapted for persons with disabilities and adequate bathroom. Ethno village Vrdnička Kula was largely accessible for wheelchair users: the hotel itself has adequate access and accommodation, restaurant and toilets are available, a path to the bungalow is easily accessible switches.