Prioritizing inclusive tourism activities.
*By Stathis Kousounis
Tourism is taking a turn. The concept of accessibility is expanding as the hospitality industry begins to recognize the needs of neurodiverse travelers, i.e. people on the autism spectrum, living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or presenting learning and cognitive disabilities.
According to the VML Intelligence report “The Future 100: 2024”, about 15% of the world’s population has some form of neurodiversity. Autism alone affects 1 in 36 children, up from 1 in 44 in 2021, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the same time, ADHD diagnoses in adults are increasing rapidly, a phenomenon attributed, according to the American media outlet Psychology Today, to improved access to mental health services, reduced social stigma and greater awareness of the symptoms.
The change is not limited to statistics. In pop culture, visibility is increasing: the film Standing Up, for example, tells the story of a stand-up comedian who tries to balance living with his father and raising his autistic son. Even famous artists, such as singer-songwriter Billie Eilish, have spoken openly about their neurological peculiarities – in her case, Tourette Syndrome, thus contributing to the public understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity.
This change in social perception, inevitably, is also transferred to tourism. More and more travelers are aware of and asserting their own, often invisible, needs. The Professional Conference Management Association, PCMA, highlights that both tourists and conference participants are now more aware than ever of accessibility issues, and the tourism sector must follow suit.
At the same time, the International Board on Accreditation and Education, IBCCES, describes tourism for people with disabilities as “the fastest growing segment of the market”. Travelers with disabilities alone make approximately 32 million trips worldwide annually. However, the supply remains incomplete. A survey by Autism Travel reveals that 87% of parents of children with autism do not travel as a family, although 93% state that they would do so if there were certified autism-friendly options.
Who is showing the way: International examples of neuroinclusive tourism
At the international level, several companies and destinations have already taken initiatives to make tourism more friendly and accessible to neurodifferent travelers. With certifications, special services and staff training, they are setting standards that the Greek market deserves to inspire.
Emirates, for example, will soon become the first airline to be fully Autism Certified Airline, training 30,000 employees and introducing sensory guides and special in-flight packages for passengers with autism. Dubai Airport is also ramping up its Assisted Travel Lounge, Sunflower Lanyard initiative and training 33,000 employees.
Meanwhile, Beaches resorts in Turks and Caicos, Negril and Ocho Rios offer Advanced Certified Autism Centres, with special camps, autism-trained staff, sensory guides and even the presence of Sesame Street’s autistic character, Julia, for a truly more relaxed and inclusive experience for families.
Another example is the Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla in Jordan, a truly certified resort for travelers with autism. The resort offers special areas for low sensory stimulation, trained staff in autism sensitivity and thoughtful activities for neurodiverse visitors.
Initiatives and prospects for a friendlier and more open tourism sector in Greece
Before we talk about neuroinclusion in tourism, Greece is called upon to solve a basic and timeless issue: general accessibility – not for foreign visitors, but for the country’s residents. Thousands of our fellow citizens with mobility or cognitive difficulties remain excluded from tourist infrastructure, cultural spaces, public media and beaches, in a country that advertises “tourism for all”. The discussion on neurodiversity must start from the basic obligation of the state to ensure decent movement, hospitality and enjoyment of the country by everyone, without exceptions and without pretense.
The reality is clear: neuroinclusive tourism is a necessity. The brands and institutions that understand this first will lead the way in the new era of tourism. From quiet waiting areas and clear signage to trained staff and personalized experiences, hospitality must become mentally and sensory inclusive. A similar international initiative in archaeological or cultural monuments in Greece could serve as a model. For example, museums could collaborate with Greek institutions, hospitals and institutes that care for people with neurodiversity or diversity in general and adopt models such as Specialisterne, which is based on the employment of people with neurodiversity and staff training. A targeted collaboration between institutions and monuments, with the implementation of services such as sensory guides, quiet spaces, staff training and the possibility of visual or auditory support, will bring Greece closer to truly inclusive tourism.
Source: travel.gr
