The Puglia Region with its beautiful beaches and ancient culture is a destination of great tourist interest for the divisible.
In Europe there are about 37 million permanently disabled people and 130 million those with a certain disability; while, in Italy, over 3 million people have special needs.
It is necessary to guarantee disabled people the opportunity to fully enjoy the holiday periods in the Apulian territory.
But what are the real characteristics of accessible tourism, such as the degree of accessibility of
tourist facilities and services in Puglia?
For accessibility we mean, in fact, not only the removal of architectural barriers, according to current regulations, but also the promotion of a different mentality, which is based on respect and willingness to accept, so that those who have “special needs” can live the experience of a holiday in Puglia in a complete, harmonious and serene way.
Offer, therefore, tourism services with a sympathetic smile to allow everyone the full enjoyment of the territory and access to places and information of tourist interest.
The task of the Public Institutions is to implement promotional and communication actions of the tourist offer in Puglia in relation to accessibility and to undertake to adapt the accommodation facilities, sites and cultural assets of primary interest to the “diversifiable” tourist, as well as to adapt the public transport system to the laws in force, in compliance with the specific needs of the disabled, so that they can move even without a companion.
It is therefore necessary that not only the Private Bathing Establishments have strict rules – and for which the Concession is bound by the accessibility of the same by the diversified subjects – so the removal of architectural barriers is fundamental (all structures must be equipped with of catwalks, toilets under, changing rooms …), but also free beaches. In fact, apart from some rare exceptions, the coastal municipalities overlook the free beaches that are in fact inaccessible to wheelchairs. The lack of equipped areas, walkways, shady areas and changing rooms, otherwise risks making the summer season unsuitable for diversifiable.
Enhance and optimize the services in the historical and characteristic places of Puglia, therefore, based on the strongly growing demand on accessible tourism.
The sites and accessible tourist facilities are, in fact, attractive not only for disabled users, but for their greater usability, even for travelers who – more generally – want to move without particular difficulties (such as the elderly).
It is necessary that their existence be promoted, increasing the quality criteria of the structures and places and providing adequate information tools so that the diversifiable, from potential tourists, can become actual tourists