Tourist destinations are not just beautiful landscapes and idyllic beaches. Above all, they are places that must be able to welcome everyone. Because tourism knows no restrictions or boundaries.
In line with this philosophy, Skiathos is taking another step towards more inclusive tourism by developing a programme that aims to make the an island that is welcoming to people on the autism spectrum.
As the Mayor of Skiathos, Thodoris Tzoumas, he told the Athens and Macedonian News Agency, this initiative forms part of the Municipality’s overall strategy for accessibility.
“We have placed a high priority on issues of inclusion and accessibility. We must adapt to the needs of these people, rather than expecting them to adapt to ours,” he emphasises.
Skiathos had already been highlighted as an example of good practice at an international conference organised by the World Tourism Organisation on accessibility, and is now taking this a step further.
Since 2024, a pilot collaboration has been launched with the organisation “Open Horizons”, whose president is the psychologist Maria Iliopoulou. The organisation works to integrate people on the autism spectrum into the labour market, connecting businesses with people who can work in appropriately designed conditions.
“The autism spectrum is very broad and many people are perfectly capable of functioning. They can cope with many tasks, provided the environment is properly organised and information is available,” points out the mayor.
As part of the initiative, training is being provided for staff in businesses and public services, so that they can learn how to recognise and manage situations involving people on the autism spectrum.
These measures mainly apply to staff who are in direct contact with visitors, such as in hotels, restaurants, banks and supermarkets, but also in services such as the airport, the port authority, the police and the municipal police.
As the mayor of Skiathos points out, the programme is expected to have completed its initial planning phase by May, after which it will continue.
“Training is not something that comes to an end. People in businesses change, so we will continue to provide training in the coming years to ensure the programme’s long-term success,” he notes.
At the same time, a digital map-guide and a mobile app for visitors are being developed, which will list, amongst other things, places and locations in Skiathos that are accessible to people on the autism spectrum.
“There will be recommendations for quiet beaches, quieter restaurants, small hotels, as well as walking routes in quieter parts of the island, so that a visitor with autism or their family knows where and at what times they can get about more comfortably,” explains Mr Tzoumas.
As he points out, autism is often an “invisible disability”, which makes raising public awareness all the more important.
“This is not something that requires large-scale infrastructure. It mainly requires knowledge, information and sensitivity,” he emphasises.
A record for Skiathos – The start of the tourist season earlier than ever
At the same time, Skiathos is also setting a new record for the start of the tourist season, as the first flight of the season is expected as early as 29 March from Bristol – earlier than in any previous year. This is the earliest start to the tourist season ever recorded on the island.
As the mayor of Skiathos told the Athenian and Macedonian News Agency, this development is the result of the municipality’s strategy to extend the tourist season, an initiative that is also supported by municipal funds.
“For many years, the season began in early May and ended towards the end of September. Our aim was to open earlier and stay open longer, which is now starting to happen,” he notes.
A total of approximately 2,800 flights are planned for 2026, connecting the island with 17 countries, whilst the last flight of the season is expected on 27 October.
At the same time, new destinations are being added to the flight timetable. One example is Munich, which will be connected directly to Skiathos for the first time from mid-May to the end of October.
“We are now seeing that local businesses are also responding.
”Hotels and restaurants are opening earlier and closing later, which shows that extending the season is starting to pay off,” emphasises Mr Tzoumas.
Source: ertnews.gr