Platform for Accessible Tourism on the Greek Islands to Launch

A new web platform that will look to make the Greek islands accessible to tourists with special needs will launch in June by Greek non-profit organization Agoni Grammi Gonimi, Microsoft Hellas and ATCOM.

The platform’s pilot version was introduced on Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 21 and will begin to operate this month under the name “Extra Miliers”. According to an announcement, the aim is to create a complete information network to ensure that persons with a permanent or temporary disability will have access to visit and enjoy the beauty of the Greek islands.

The “Extra Miliers” platform includes a website and an application, and is addressed primarily to the visually impaired and people with mobility disabilities. It is in the final stage of its development, and once completed, it will be available free of charge.

Internet users will be able to create a profile on “Extra Milers” based on their personal needs and discover the services that are available according to their interests.

“Extra Milers” will first ‘travel” to the islands of Syros, Chios and Rhodes, while other destinations will be added in a later stage.

The platform will also be enhanced with new applications based on artificial intelligence (for example speech-to-text conversion apps, face recognition and text analysis), in order to improve the experience of its users.

Syros port. Photo Source: Municipality of Syros-Ermoupolis

“Extra Milers” will also look to attract “responsible tourists” – travelers that take actions to make tourism more sustainable. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), responsible tourism has grown by 40 percent during the last years.

The platform is being developed with the help of organizations supporting people with disabilities and will operate under the auspices of the Greek Tourism Ministry.