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Getting Closer to Distant Locations - Target of Agreements

Up-to-date

Getting Closer to Distant Locations - Target of Agreements

A volontary target agreement was signed on 12 March in Berlin. Gastronomic associations and societies for the handicapped in Germany agreed on standards how to register, evaluate and present barrier free touristic offers.

A study has shown it. The ministry for economy and labour in Germany had investigated the demand of handicapped people for travelling. The results showed that many disabled would travel and spend money if they had had the chance to do so. Which shows that there is plenty of room for more offers on accessible travelling. And the voluntary target agreement wants to make a contribution to that.

Barrier free accommodations and gastronomy for people with impaired movements and wheel chair users (Categories A and B)

Since 1st of May 2002, a law concerned with equality (Bundesgleichstellungsgesetz - BGG) takes care that the term "barrier free” is appointed by law including barriers for visually impaired and hard of hearing people as well as the mentally handicapped. Additionally the BGG wants to support the conclusion of voluntary target agreements between acknowledged societies for the handicapped and trade associations. The result now is a first nationwide agreement between the hotel industry and societies for the handicapped.

Barriere free accommodations and gastronomy for blind and visually impaired guests (Category C), for deaf and hard of hearing guests (Category D)

Now, hoteliers and gastronomers who want to present their barrier free offers in the German Hotel Guide, the IHA Hotel Guide or according internet platforms need to incorporate agreed standards. These are divided into five categories concerned with the different types of handicaps and are represented by five icons. Easy to recognise for everybody.

Barriere free accommodations and
gastronomy for guests with
with physical or sensory
handicaps (Category E)

The impulse for such agreements was made by considering the growing number of seniors who travel a lot. With them the economic importance of barrier free travelling became clear. But it is not sufficient that travel businesses make good offers. The whole chain concerned with different aspects of tourism including information and reservation, arrival and departure, leisure, sports and culture needs to be considered, too.

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