OUR accessible beach it is not just another “tourist product” or “service” for special groups, but an expression of culture, a democratic right and a duty of the state to one and all. This was emphasized, in particular, by Minister of Tourism Vasilis Kikilia and EOT President Angela Giereku at yesterday’s press conference on the presentation of the action “Creation of Integrated Tourism Accessible Sea Destinations”. The goal of the project is to provide access to the sea disabled people and other people with disabilities such as the elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities, etc., and promoting Greece as an accessible maritime tourism destination.

There are 250 accessible beaches in Greece. There could have been many more, there were delays before, but steps have been taken for several years now. The project concerns the supply and installation on 287 beaches throughout Greece of non-permanent infrastructure for autonomous access to the sea for people with disabilities or reduced mobility. To date, 147 beaches have been created as part of this action.

Facilities

The project provides for integrated facilities on accessible beaches, where people with disabilities or people with limited mobility will be able to go to sea on their own (using mainly the seaway system created by Greece), but not only: there will be the possibility of parking, movement, changing rooms, access to sun loungers and refreshments, that is the conditions for a complete experience, as emphasized by Secretary General for Policy and Tourism Development Olimpia Anastasopoulou. In order to spread accessible beaches more widely, the Ministry of Tourism has created a dedicated website with all the relevant information (www.accessiblebeaches.gr) as well as videos that have been uploaded to websites dedicated to Greek tourism.

“Security and Dignity”

“What we are discussing now is self-evident, but I hope that we will move forward. Society and the prevailing conditions make us disabled. When there are no ramps or they are blocked by cars,” said Antonis Tzapatakis, World Gold and Paralympic Bronze Champion in swimming. Anastasia Pirgioti, Paralympic bronze medalist, stressed the need for security and dignity and noted the importance of being able to go out to sea alone. MEP Stelios Kimburopoulos stressed that it is important to understand that we are doing something not only for some, but for all of us. “It’s not just about wheelchairs, but we need to look at other aspects, such as access for the blind. Today, there are technologies that help us, for example, with the help of sound signals, they orient the visually impaired,” he added.

The Mayor of Glyfada, George Papanikolaou, and the Mayor of Central Corfu and the Diapontian Islands, Meropi Hydraiou, spoke about the pioneering work of the municipalities in this area. “I will never forget the mother from France who, with tears in her eyes, thanked us that her child went to sea for the first time last summer in Corfu,” said Ms Hydraiou. There are 10 Seatrack devices in the municipality of Central Corfu and there are integrated services in the municipality of Glyfada.