The study

Introduction

Accessibility is not only a responsibility when considering a sustainable tourism strategy; it is also an opportunity for the development and economic & social growth of any environment. Maintaining and developing quality and sustainability requires integrating accessibility as part of the tourism management process (for both resources and services).

The Andalusian Conserjeria de Turismo y Deporte, aware of the importance of accessibility in the sector, launched a project to investigate the degree of accessibility of Andalusian destinations, through the elaboration of a Study and a Guide of Accessible Tourist Destinations in Andalusia.

This project, executed by ILUNION Technology and Accessibility, aims at the elaboration of an Accessibility Study and Guide that allows stakeholders the following:

  • Defining an accessible tourist destination model for Andalusia, by analysing the initial situation of the main tourist destinations in the region that meet accessibility parameters and standards.
  • Designing the necessary methodology and tools to provide tourism stakeholders with a useful systematic approach for improving and transforming the accessibility of tourist destinations.

Scope

The scope of the study is the region of Andalusia, which comprises its 8 provinces. To this end, 24 tourist destinations have been selected (3 in each province):

  • Almería
  • Almonte (Matalascañas y El Rocío)
  • Almuñécar
  • Aracena
  • Cabra
  • Cádiz
  • Carmona
  • Cazalla de la sierra
  • Cazorla
  • Córdoba
  • El Puerto de Santa María
  • Granada
  • Jerez de la frontera
  • Linares
  • Málaga
  • Marbella
  • Mojácar
  • Montoro
  • Motril
  • Punta Umbría
  • Ronda
  • Roquetas de Mar
  • Sevilla
  • Úbeda-Baeza

The objective of the study is to assess 6 resources per destination, diversified into 8 categories:

Therefore, the accessibility of 144 Andalusian resources has been evaluated.

Methodology

The Study, carried out in the second half of 2016, consists of three phases:

  • PHASE I. Design and definition of the methodological framework: identification of the 24 destinations and 144 resources to be assessed, through the analysis of secondary sources. Definition of the catalogue of indicators (and its evaluation system).
  • PHASE II. Field level analysis: completion of the field work in 144 Andalusian tourist resources (based on the catalog of indicators previously defined). Elaboration of results, which are collected in the study, on this website and in an app (IOS y Android), with its corresponding Map of Accessible Tourist Destinations.
  • PHASE III. Elaboration of the Accessibility Guide: a document with guidelines and recommendations, as well as a self-assessment tool to identify accessibility barriers that should be addressed.

Results

Each of the 144 resources has a tab showing the contact details of the resources, and the results obtained in the technical accessibility assessment conducted (usingindicators that show if the available elements comply with the Andalusian regulations on accessibility or not: Decree 293/2009, of 7 July, which approves the regulation that regulates the norms for the accessibility in the infrastructures, the urbanism, the building and the transport in Andalusia).

As mentioned before, 144 resources were evaluated, although only those who authorised it are displayed on this website.

Therefore, only those tourist resources that have expressed their interest in being part of this initiative participated in the execution of this project.