German National Tourist Board gets serious about barrier-free tourism research

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) got serious about “barrier-free tourism” in 2007 by adding a supplementary question to the Quality Monitor - German tourism industry survey, which surveys 17,000 German and international visitors (German National Tourist Board, 2010). The monitor distinguishes between four dimensions of access: restricted mobility or in wheelchairs; partially sighted or blind; deaf or hard of hearing; and visitors with pushchairs. Since introducing this initiative the GNTB has introduced barrier-free tourism products, overhauled their websites to be more accessible and provide selected reporting on barrier-free satisfaction and quality (German National Tourist Board, 2008). Importantly, the GNTB regard barrier-free tourism as part of their international marketing efforts (German National Tourist Board, 2009). The limited results released suggest that international tourists with disabilities have higher expectations and lower satisfaction than German domestic tourists but overall people with disabilities rated their satisfaction as ‘good’ (Muqbil, 2010). We look forward GNTB making all the results of the study freely available.


Germany's main travel destination website includes a page entitled "Germany for all", which highlights barrier free travel amongst other groups including 50+, GLBT (gays lesbians bisexuals transgender), honeymooners, young people and families. Within their barrier free travel includes photos relating to people with mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive disabilities. This approach are being inclusive of all groups is a refreshing approach for a National Tourism Office and is to be commended. Photo 1 depicts a person who is blind enjoying a tactile experience and strongly connects with the most recent academic literature on embodied tourist experiences.

Photo 1: Accessible tactile experience for blind or partially sighted people (source: http://www.germany.travel/en/deutschland_fuer___/menschen_mit_barrieren/menschen_mit_barrieren_1.html )

References

German National Tourist Board. (2008). Importance of Tourism Available from http://www.germany-tourism.de/pdf/jb_2008_en_2_the_importance_of_tourism.pdf

German National Tourist Board. (2009). Press Release: GNTB global marketing - Barrier-free travel an integral part of GNTB's marketing activities.   Retrieved 13 March, 2010, from http://www.germany-tourism.de/pdf/110309_barrier-free_travel.pdf

German National Tourist Board. (2010). Quality Monitor - German tourism industry survey.   Retrieved 13 March, 2010, from http://www.germany-tourism.de/ http://www.germany-tourism.co.uk/EGB/about_us/market_research.htm

Muqbil, I. (2010). 4. Travelling In Germany Rated 'Good' By People With Disabilities. TRAVEL IMPACT NEWSWIRE, 16(12 March 2010), np