Empowering Tourism Accessibility: A Digital Revolution in Pieria, Greece

Accessibility is a fundamental human right and a key driver for inclusive tourism, particularly for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and others with mobility challenges. This study aims to promote the Pieria region, Greece, as an “Accessible Tourist Destination” through the development of...

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Main Authors: Charisios Achillas, Dimitrios Aidonis, Ioannis Tsampoulatidis, Dimitrios Folinas, Ioannis Kostavelis, Naoum Tsolakis, Dimitrios Triantafyllou, Christos Vlachokostas, Athanasios Kelemis, Vasileios Dimou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11136
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author Charisios Achillas
Dimitrios Aidonis
Ioannis Tsampoulatidis
Dimitrios Folinas
Ioannis Kostavelis
Naoum Tsolakis
Dimitrios Triantafyllou
Christos Vlachokostas
Athanasios Kelemis
Vasileios Dimou
author_facet Charisios Achillas
Dimitrios Aidonis
Ioannis Tsampoulatidis
Dimitrios Folinas
Ioannis Kostavelis
Naoum Tsolakis
Dimitrios Triantafyllou
Christos Vlachokostas
Athanasios Kelemis
Vasileios Dimou
author_sort Charisios Achillas
collection DOAJ
description Accessibility is a fundamental human right and a key driver for inclusive tourism, particularly for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and others with mobility challenges. This study aims to promote the Pieria region, Greece, as an “Accessible Tourist Destination” through the development of a digital platform designed to provide detailed information on the accessibility of routes, public spaces, and points of interest. The platform collects and displays data on the region’s accessibility infrastructure, including ramps, sidewalks, and points of cultural and tourist interest, allowing users to plan safe and convenient routes. The methodology involves comprehensive audits of accessibility features, and the data are integrated into an online platform, enabling personalized suggestions for users based on their needs. Initial results from the Platamonas area show detailed documentation of 68 points of interest and 97 routes, improving the accessibility experience for visitors. The findings suggest that accessible tourism has the potential to not only enhance social inclusion, but also contribute to local economic growth by attracting a broader range of visitors. The digital platform represents a significant step towards promoting tourism for all in Pieria.
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publishDate 2024-11-01
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spelling doaj-art-db2b85bc814d47e4a001fea87a6c08522024-12-13T16:22:56ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-11-0114231113610.3390/app142311136Empowering Tourism Accessibility: A Digital Revolution in Pieria, GreeceCharisios Achillas0Dimitrios Aidonis1Ioannis Tsampoulatidis2Dimitrios Folinas3Ioannis Kostavelis4Naoum Tsolakis5Dimitrios Triantafyllou6Christos Vlachokostas7Athanasios Kelemis8Vasileios Dimou9Institute of Sustainable Development and Circular Economy, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, GreeceInstitute of Sustainable Development and Circular Economy, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, GreeceDepartment of Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceInstitute of Sustainable Development and Circular Economy, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, GreeceDepartment of Supply Chain Management, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, GreeceDepartment of Supply Chain Management, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, GreeceDepartment of Supply Chain Management, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, GreeceDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Supply Chain Management, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, GreeceDepartment of Business Administration, University of Macedonia, 54636 Thessaloniki, GreeceAccessibility is a fundamental human right and a key driver for inclusive tourism, particularly for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and others with mobility challenges. This study aims to promote the Pieria region, Greece, as an “Accessible Tourist Destination” through the development of a digital platform designed to provide detailed information on the accessibility of routes, public spaces, and points of interest. The platform collects and displays data on the region’s accessibility infrastructure, including ramps, sidewalks, and points of cultural and tourist interest, allowing users to plan safe and convenient routes. The methodology involves comprehensive audits of accessibility features, and the data are integrated into an online platform, enabling personalized suggestions for users based on their needs. Initial results from the Platamonas area show detailed documentation of 68 points of interest and 97 routes, improving the accessibility experience for visitors. The findings suggest that accessible tourism has the potential to not only enhance social inclusion, but also contribute to local economic growth by attracting a broader range of visitors. The digital platform represents a significant step towards promoting tourism for all in Pieria.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11136accessibilitytourism for allinclusive traveldestination brandingPieria region
spellingShingle Charisios Achillas
Dimitrios Aidonis
Ioannis Tsampoulatidis
Dimitrios Folinas
Ioannis Kostavelis
Naoum Tsolakis
Dimitrios Triantafyllou
Christos Vlachokostas
Athanasios Kelemis
Vasileios Dimou
Empowering Tourism Accessibility: A Digital Revolution in Pieria, Greece
Applied Sciences
accessibility
tourism for all
inclusive travel
destination branding
Pieria region
title Empowering Tourism Accessibility: A Digital Revolution in Pieria, Greece
title_full Empowering Tourism Accessibility: A Digital Revolution in Pieria, Greece
title_fullStr Empowering Tourism Accessibility: A Digital Revolution in Pieria, Greece
title_full_unstemmed Empowering Tourism Accessibility: A Digital Revolution in Pieria, Greece
title_short Empowering Tourism Accessibility: A Digital Revolution in Pieria, Greece
title_sort empowering tourism accessibility a digital revolution in pieria greece
topic accessibility
tourism for all
inclusive travel
destination branding
Pieria region
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11136
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