INSETE Study Highlights Actions for Inclusive Tourism in Greece

In order to remain competitive, Greece’s tourism sector should take actions that will ensure inclusive and accessible travel experiences, found a study released last week by INSETE, the Greek Tourism Confederation’s (SETE) research body in collaboration with GBR Consulting.

According to the findings, Greek tourism stakeholders will be required to focus on five key areas aimed at making Greek tourism services more diverse, equal and inclusive as part of overall sustainability goals.

These actions should focus on raising awareness, improving accessibility to public spaces, ensuring access to accurate information, providing reskilling and upskilling opportunities for people working in tourism, and targeted actions implemented by the private sector through the development of social responsibility policies and travel experiences that will contribute to the creation of an “accessible and inclusive product” so that visitors will have equal access to travel options.

The INSETE study further notes that the promotion of inclusive policies helps businesses adapt to ESG (Environment, Society, Governance) principles for sustainable development that can improve overall performance.

It is of utmost importance, say INSETE analysts, that tourism enterprises across the travel and tourism chain, including those active in accommodation, F&B, retail trade, and leisure apply the principles of accessibility to their services.

Among others, INSETE analysts are highlighting the need to adopt a “universal design” that will integrate accessibility into hotel design and construction as well as into amenities.

According to the study, more travelers are now taking inclusivity into consideration when booking their trips. Additionally, based on EU data, 17 to 25 percent of the population suffers from some form of disability.