Greece Makes Accessible Tourism and Culture a Top Priority

Photo credit: This is Athens/Τhomas Gravanis

Ensuring access to tourism and culture for all is a top Greek government priority, announced Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni and Culture Minister Lina Mendoni on occasion of International Day of Disabled Persons on Sunday.

Participating in a discussion about the National Strategy 2024-2030 for the Rights of People with Disability, Kefalogianni said the aim was to make Greece a leader in accessible and inclusive tourism.

In this direction, Kefalogianni said the ministry had set up a working group that will oversee the implementation of an action plan for 2024 designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities and ensure equal access to the country’s tourism offerings.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni discussing about the National Strategy 2024-2030 for the Rights of People with Disability / Photo source: Ministry of Tourism

According to Kefalogianni, projects include making beaches accessible, raising awareness, increasing the “Tourism for All” subsidy for eligible parties, and encouraging tourism business owners to create accessible facilities that will receive certification.

On her part, Mendoni referred to the Digital Disability Card, launched by the labor ministry, which not only facilitates the daily life of the disabled but can also be used as a “Culture Card” allowing immediate and free access to both the user and companion to archaeological sites and museums.

Minister: Dozens of museums and sites across Greece now have ramps, lifts 

The new lift at the Acropolis in Athens for visitors with mobility issues. Photo source: Culture Ministry

Additionally, Mendoni said that ramps and lifts had been installed at dozens of museums and sites across Greece, with many works currently in progress.

Among these, ramps and wheel-chair friendly lifts have been installed at the National Archaeological Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, Sounion is fully accessible, works are underway at the Ancient Agora, the Olympieion and the archaeological site of Elefsina, the Old Fortress of Corfu, the monasteries of Meteora. At the same time, several sites, including Ancient Messini, Ancient Olympia, Ancient Nicopolis and Pella have been equipped with electric golf carts for the transport of people with disabilities.