Sicily and accessible tourism: the post Covid-19 challenge
The pandemic, the antiCovid and new habits have also forced tourism to reorganize its assets.
Sicily is restarting with hospitality accessible to all, amid innovative startups and obstacles yet to be overcome.
Tourism in Sicily: the new recipe for receptivity
If last year tourism operators had to adapt to the new travel rules, focusing the new attention on the health
e safety, today the watchword is that of accessibility.
Have you ever thought about the difficulties that people with disabilities have in facing a simple hotel climb? Or the many variables to take into account when planning a trip? Well, Sicily is preparing to face this new season with the goal of including in the tourism market both people who are carriers of handicap, but also mothers with children who need facilities and services on par with those for the disabled.
One of the examples of non-obvious disability is that of celiac disease which in Italy alone is around six hundred thousand cases and which accommodations must inevitably take into account, drawing up special menus and offering a targeted type of diet.
“If accessible tourism means tourism for all, without barriers and without discrimination, in Sicily through our association we have tried to work towards this, with a commitment to remove all barriers that limit the opportunities for people with and without disabilities to move around, through the creation of a true role model.” These are the words of Bernadette lo Bianco president of the association “Sicily Tourism for All. Travel in Sicily should be possible and a benefit to all.
Syracuse: the most accessible city in Sicily
Syracuse is for all intents and purposes the most accessible city in Sicily and beyond. Along with Cremona, Ferrara and Turin, it was included by theANMIL (National Association of the Disabled and Invalids at Work) among the flagships in the field of disability-friendly tourism.
The goal was to break down any barriers and allow everyone to enjoy the full beauty of the Syracuse landscape. One of the most significant initiatives is certainly that of “Sea for All”, which every year sees the synergy of the city’s various stakeholders (from institutions to beach establishment managers) to enable everyone to be able to access beaches, lidos and destinations regardless of physical ability.
Syracuse is at the forefront, and among the places already fully accessible are: Neapolis Archaeological Park, the Roman Amphitheater and the Greek Theater, in which viewers can watch performances translated into sign language as well. Tourism that can be called “sensitive” and affordable, with the hope that it can spread throughout Sicily. In the wake of Syracuse, the site of the Valley of the Temples and the Villa Romana del Casale. On Etna, on the other hand, there are some trails made visitable by people in wheelchairs. From Cathedral of Noto at Cathedral of St. Agatha in Catania, from the Cathedral of Palermo to that of Cefalù, are all provided with routes that allow everyone to visit these unique places in Sicily.
The situation in Italy: where do we stand?
There are approximately one hundred and twenty-seven million people in Europe with “access need”
and as many as 10 million in Italy. However, a number that doubles since they almost never travel alone but are always in the company of relatives, friends or fellow travelers. Usually the average vacation stay is about ten days, so it is visible to everyone that there is a slice of the potential market. But are we in Italy ready?
There is still much to be done. Although the transportation system, both by air and rail, was immediately adapted to provide assistance, as far as accommodations are concerned, not all of them still appear to be able to accommodate tourists with disabilities. However, there is no shortage of virtuous startups that have sprung up primarily to improve the experience of less privileged people. is this the case of the Palermo bookingbility.com, a web facility designed to enable people to find the most suitable and appropriate accommodation for the needs of tourists with disabilities.
There is still a long way to go, and we need to continue on this path. The goal is to catch up with major European cities as soon as possible, and for this we need to incentivize and convince even those who have not yet taken action.
Davide Donnarumma