This document summarizes initiatives and studies around accessible tourism in Germany. It discusses various programs from the national tourism board, regional initiatives, and studies conducted by the German government. These found general acceptance of accessible travel in Germany but initiatives are still fragmented and lack long term strategic planning. The document then introduces an online marketplace called Travelhands that aims to consolidate accessible travel booking across Germany and Europe to better serve the growing market of seniors and those with disabilities.

1. Cities without borders, Tourism without borders
Alanya, Turkey, November 26th, 2011
Nicole Bosch - CEO Travelhands.eu

2. Topics of presentation
• Accessible Travel Initiatives in Germany
– Natko
– National Tourism Board
– Barriere-Free Destinations
– Individual Regional Initiatives
• Travelhands ->
online marketplace for accessible travel

3. Studies by Federal Government
• “Economic Impulses of Accessible
Tourism for All” (2003)
• „Analysis of success factors and
development of actions to
increase the quality of accessible
Tourism for All in Germany"
(2007)
• Findings:
-Accessibility gained more
acceptance in German Tourism
-“What is missing is: a
comprehensive sustainable
strategic and operational plan
regarding the nature of the
offering and marketing along the
entire travel service chain.“

4. Potential
• Market: 6,7 million Germans with a disability
• 1/3 of Germans will be
older than 65 in the next years
• 30/35 procent of Germans
have reduced mobility
• Economic impact: 4,8 Billion Euro,
90.000 extra jobs
(Source: BmWi 2003)

5. Natko
• Accessible Tourism
Organisation supported
by associations for the
Disabled (since 1999)
• Main activities:
Consultant / trainings,
checking of accessibility

6. Germany National Tourism Board
• Selected listings of
destinations and
associations for
disabled travellers
• General information
about accessible Travel
to Germany

7. Barrier-Free Destinations in Germany
• Cooperation of 7
partners in
Germany (since
2008)
• sharing of best
practices
• Joint promotion of
accessible tourism

8. Individual / regional Initiatives
• Accessible Black
Forest
(Natko Project)

9. Individual/regional Initiatives

10. Individual/regional Initiatives

11. Findings
• More general acceptance for accessible travel in Germany
• Pioneering role of some destinations / regions (Erfurt,
Düsseldorf) -> achievement: competitive advantage
• Single initiatives (regions, cities, or cooperation) -> most
activities are carried out by “motivated” individuals, hardly
considered strategically and on a long term basis
• Online Information is fragmented and selective,
development and marketing along the entire tourism
service chain is still missing on the Internet
• Difficult to book services directly online
• Information often in German only

12. Trips (1.000.000)
Online Booking of Trips* in Europe
*Trip = one night or more, exluding daily trips
Source: Eurostat, Travelhands research

13. www.travelhands.eu

14. Travelhands
• Online marketing / booking of accessible
travel services
• along the entire travel chain
• give all suppliers opportunity to market in the
travel chain and towards disabled travellers
• In German, Englisch and Dutch
• Nation wide Germany -> Europe wide

15. Organization
(Preparation, Travel to and from
Information, Destination
Booking)
Tours around Arrival and
Destination Orientation
Local Transport
Services at Destination
& Medical Care
Going to Berlin…
Sport Lodging
Activities
Cultural Activities/ Eating & Drinking
Sightseeing
Shopping

16. Direct contact

17. Quality Reviews

18. Marketing Channel for Destinations

19. Conclusions
• Seniors /disabled are the fastest growing demographic
in Internet use
• Growing market demand for individual accessible
travel due to democraphic changes (aging population
and the retirement of the Baby Boomers)
• Tourism industry will find new markets and increase of
turnover if they’ll cater for the new and growing
consumer groups and their demands
• Accessible travel is a innovative approach to improve
quality and service for destinations and to remain
competitive

20. Teşekkür ederim!
Nicole Bosch, CEO Travelhands.eu
www.travelhands.eu
http://www.facebook.com/Travelhands.eu
Twitter: @travelhands
nmbosch@travelhands.eu
http://de.linkedin.com/in/nmbosch