1. Introduction
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), disability is not only a medical issue, but a complex phenomenon primarily related to the interaction between an individual and the environment in which they live [1]. This shift in perspective is crucial for understanding the broader challenges faced by people with disabilities, as it emphasizes that limitations often arise from external barriers rather than from the disability itself. These barriers can be physical, such as the absence of ramps or accessible transport, or attitudinal, such as societal stigmas and biases [2,3]. To mitigate many of these issues, it is essential to improve both the physical and social accessibility of environments, ensuring that individuals with special needs can interact with their surroundings as independently as possible. Recognizing and acting upon this right to access is fundamental to creating inclusive societies where all individuals, regardless of their physical capabilities, can participate fully in social, economic, and cultural activities. Accessibility is not merely a convenience for people with disabilities, but a cornerstone of equality, fairness, and human dignity. In this context, accessibility benefits everyone, contributing to the creation of more inclusive, equitable, and just societies that promote universal participation and inclusion [4].
From an economic perspective, improving accessibility also supports the goals of sustainable development, with a particular focus on the tourism sector [5,6,7,8,9]. As the global population ages, the demand for accessible tourism will continue to grow, presenting an opportunity for regions and countries to cater to an expanding market of elderly travelers and those with mobility challenges [10]. The principle of accessible tourism is thus becoming central to the industry’s long-term sustainability and growth, ensuring that destinations, services, and experiences are available to everyone, regardless of physical abilities. For the tourism industry, this is not simply a matter of compliance with legal requirements, but also an opportunity to expand its customer base and improve its reputation by demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity.
Accessibility plays a critical role in shaping the tourism experience for a diverse range of travelers. By ensuring that facilities, transportation systems, and information are designed to accommodate individuals with varying levels of mobility, the tourism sector can make destinations more welcoming to all, including people with disabilities, elderly travelers, and families with young children. These efforts are not only ethically sound but also economically beneficial, as they help to tap into a substantial and often underserved market. Moreover, accessible tourism initiatives align with broader legal and ethical frameworks, such as those outlined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which mandate the removal of barriers that prevent equal access to travel experiences [5,11,12,13]. Implementing such initiatives is crucial not only for individual destinations but also for the global tourism industry’s development, helping to ensure that travel is a right, not a privilege reserved for the physically abled population.
Tourism accessibility can be understood through a framework of three key pillars: justice and equality, economic growth, and societal inclusion. First, from a justice perspective, accessibility ensures that all individuals, regardless of physical abilities, can enjoy equal opportunities in tourism [14,15,16]. Travelers with mobility challenges or other disabilities are entitled to the same opportunities as able-bodied individuals to explore new destinations and have meaningful travel experiences [16]. This approach reflects a commitment to human rights, as accessibility supports the fundamental principle that all individuals have the right to leisure, adventure, and exploration. This also promotes fairness and equality, as it ensures that individuals with disabilities are not excluded from tourism opportunities that are available to others.
The second pillar emphasizes the economic benefits of accessible tourism. By adopting a tourism for all strategy, regions and businesses can attract a significant segment of the population that has often been overlooked or underserved. This includes not only people with disabilities but also elderly travelers, families with young children, and other individuals who may benefit from enhanced accessibility. Travelers in these categories represent a substantial source of revenue for the tourism industry, as they often travel with companions, prefer off-peak travel times, and are generally more loyal and likely to return to destinations that provide accessible services [17,18]. Moreover, travelers with special needs tend to spend more per trip, as they may require additional services such as accessible accommodation or specialized transportation [19]. For this reason, investing in accessibility is not just a moral or legal obligation—it is a smart business decision that can drive growth and profitability for the tourism industry.
Enhancing accessibility also supports broader societal goals, including the promotion of social inclusion [20]. By removing physical and social barriers, tourism providers can create environments where people of all abilities can share in the joys and benefits of travel. This not only improves the experience for travelers with disabilities, but also fosters a more understanding and accepting society as a whole. Accessible tourism practices help to break down both physical and perceptual barriers, encouraging people from all walks of life to interact and share experiences. In this way, accessibility serves as a tool for building more cohesive and inclusive communities, where diversity is celebrated rather than marginalized [21]. The social benefits of accessible tourism extend beyond the individuals directly affected; by promoting inclusivity, tourism operators contribute to a more compassionate and equitable society.
From a managerial perspective, tourism operators view accessibility not as a regulatory burden but as a strategic opportunity [22,23,24,25,26]. By investing in accessible services and universal design, they can position themselves to attract a diverse and loyal customer base, including travelers with disabilities, elderly individuals, and young families. This not only broadens their market reach, but also enhances their reputation as inclusive and forward-thinking businesses. Moreover, accessible tourism aligns with the goals of sustainable development, as it promotes equality, diversity, and inclusivity—values that are increasingly important to consumers and society at large. In fact, by embracing accessibility, tourism businesses can gain a competitive advantage in a crowded market, as more travelers seek out destinations and services that align with their ethical values and provide for the needs of all [5].
Ultimately, the drive for greater accessibility in tourism is rooted in the recognition of a fundamental right: the right to leisure and exploration. Travel is not simply a luxury for the privileged few, but a vital human experience that should be available to everyone. By adopting inclusive practices, the tourism industry demonstrates its ability to innovate and adapt in ways that benefit not only travelers with disabilities, but society as a whole. These initiatives are not only about compliance or profitability but also about creating a more inclusive world where all individuals can enjoy the benefits of travel. Accessible tourism thus represents a win–win situation for everyone involved—businesses, travelers, and communities alike.
In this light, accessible tourism has the potential to transform the tourism industry by expanding its customer base, improving its reputation, and promoting inclusivity. By investing in accessible services and infrastructure, tourism providers can attract a diverse range of travelers. As the global population continues to age and the demand for accessible travel increases, the importance of accessibility in tourism will only grow. It is imperative for tourism operators to recognize the opportunities that accessibility presents and to adopt practices that ensure that travel experiences are available to all, regardless of physical ability.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Area and Scope
The Pieria region is a blend of natural beauty and mythological heritage. Located in Northern Greece (Figure 1), the area is renowned for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and cultural significance. Nestled between Mount Olympus and the Thermaic Gulf, it offers beautiful beaches, scenic hiking trails, and ancient archaeological sites, including the city of Dion.
To promote the Pieria region as an “Accessible Tourist Destination”, an online platform has been developed, aiming to enhance the accessibility of tourist destinations for individuals with special accessibility needs. The platform is specifically designed to address the needs of tourists with disabilities, elderly travelers, and others who require accessible routes and points of interest. The initiative is grounded in the fact that 71% of people with disabilities prioritize pre-trip planning based on the availability of detailed accessibility information. Given that inadequate accessibility features render tourist destinations essentially inaccessible, even if they are physically accessible, the platform plays a crucial role in communicating accessibility features effectively. The key aim of the platform is to collect, digitize, and present to public authorities and the wider public the status of accessibility infrastructure for routes and points of interest in the area. As part of the project, highly detailed on-site audits were realized in the Municipal District of Platamonas, which was selected as the testbed for validation of the service (Figure 1).
2.2. Data Collection and Auditing Tool
The core of this initiative relies on the comprehensive collection of data on accessibility infrastructure and the use of the Seek & Go auditing tool [27,28]. This tool is essential for capturing and evaluating the status of the accessibility infrastructure in the Pieria region, Greece. The data collection process was designed to provide detailed, reliable information that users can rely on when planning their trips. To achieve this, audits of pedestrian routes and points of interest (POIs) were conducted, ensuring that critical elements affecting accessibility are evaluated, including ramps, crossings, sidewalk widths, blind routes, various obstacles (broken tiles, trees, low-hanging tree branches, café chairs and tables, signage posts, etc.).
The Seek & Go tool is used to assess both horizontal and vertical routing of POIs, including entryway accessibility, the availability of accessible WCs, and accessible elevators, along with other crucial infrastructure. The audit ensures that the data collected are as comprehensive as possible, allowing users to make informed decisions about their travel routes or visits to sites and buildings. The tool also provides feedback on the usability of the infrastructure, accounting for potential barriers that could impede mobility for disabled or elderly individuals. Figure 2 illustrates the interface of the Seek & Go auditing tool, which was crucial in standardizing data collection and ensuring consistency across different areas of Pieria.
2.3. Defining the Study Area
The first step in the methodology was the definition of the focus area, which was performed using Google Maps to outline the boundaries for data collection. The pilot study focused on key tourist destinations within the Municipal District of Platamonas, ensuring that areas with high tourist traffic, such as cultural and natural landmarks, were prioritized. This is depicted in Figure 3, which shows how the study area was demarcated using the Seek & Go auditing tool and Google Maps as a base layer. By defining these boundaries, the team was able to target the most relevant and high-traffic tourist spots for detailed accessibility assessments. These locations were prioritized based on their importance to tourists, including popular points of interest, such as archaeological sites, beaches, and tourism-related services.
In addition to the geographical delineation, Figure 3 also emphasizes the integration of the Seek & Go auditing tool, which was used to collect accessibility data within this defined area. The auditing tool allowed the research team to systematically map out the infrastructure, such as sidewalks, pedestrian routes, and other points of interest (POIs), while also assessing the accessibility features and potential barriers for people with mobility challenges. As a first step, a segment is drawn between two points (Point A and Point B). The user specifies whether the segment represents a pedestrian pathway or a road and indicates the presence of sidewalks on one or both sides of the road (depicted as parallel lines adjacent to the segment). Subsequently, these segments are connected to form a unified route within the study area. Points of interest (POIs) are then added to the map (represented as pins) along with their entrances (depicted as door icons) within the defined segments. Connections between segments are established via sidewalks or directly if the segment is a pedestrian route. Similarly, the entrances of POIs are linked to sidewalks or directly to the pedestrian route, with the flexibility to assign multiple entrances to a single POI.
2.4. Data Collection Process
The data collection process was carried out in two phases: route accessibility and point of interest (POI) accessibility. This dual approach ensured that both the general infrastructure for pedestrian movement and the specific accessibility features of individual sites were evaluated.
In the case of route accessibility audits, the condition of pedestrian areas was the primary focus for route accessibility. This phase of data collection involved auditing sidewalks, crossings, ramps, and other relevant infrastructure that could impact a tourist’s ability to navigate through the urban fabric. Trained auditors used the Seek & Go tool to map out routes, paying particular attention to obstacles such as broken tiles, steep inclines, and objects obstructing the path, like tables, chairs, or low-hanging trees. Detailed measurements were taken for sidewalk widths to ensure compliance with accessibility standards, as narrow sidewalks can significantly impede the movement of wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
Similarly, in the case of accessibility audits for POIs, comprehensive audits were realized to assess their accessibility features. Auditors collected data on horizontal routing elements (e.g., ramps and level entrances), as well as vertical routing elements (e.g., elevators). Additional data were gathered on accessible parking spots and signage to ensure that visitors could easily locate and access the studied POIs. Each point was meticulously evaluated using standardized forms to capture all relevant data, ensuring that users of the platform could depend on the information for their travel planning.
The data collected during the audits were processed, validated, and integrated into the platform, allowing users to view the most accessible routes and POIs in the area under study. The platform provides users with an intuitive interface that includes cartographic data, enabling them to visualize routes and sites on a map. This visualization is enhanced by the ability to filter results based on user preferences, such as the need for wheelchair-accessible routes or POIs with specific accessible facilities.
2.5. Olympus Riviera Digital Platform
The Olympus Riviera Platform is a modern web application designed to provide seamless access to a wide range of geographic data, including POIs, obstacles, pavements, and other essential features related to urban landscapes. The platform is built using React for its frontend (Figure 4), offering users a dynamic and responsive experience while interacting with various map-based data. The design prioritizes ease of use and real-time interaction, ensuring that users can quickly retrieve, filter, and visualize data that are both accurate and comprehensive.
At the backend, the platform communicates with a MongoDB database using Mongoose, a robust object data modeling (ODM) library for MongoDB and Node.js. Mongoose provides a straightforward way to define schemas, ensuring consistency in data structures, and supports complex queries and efficient filtering for retrieving data from the database [29,30]. The Node.js server powering the platform exposes a REST API, serving as the primary communication channel between the React frontend and the database. This API enables the efficient fetching, filtering, and manipulation of POIs and other geographical data. By adhering to the RESTful architecture, the platform follows modern web communication standards, ensuring scalability and smooth interaction across the entire application stack [31]. This makes the system capable of serving an increasing number of users without compromising performance.
One of the platform’s key components is its data population tool, Seek & Go, which is responsible for populating the MongoDB database with real-world data. Seek & Go is equipped with middleware that exposes its own REST API, allowing users and administrators to store and manage geographical features efficiently. The tool features a map-based interface for visual data editing, enabling users to pinpoint and modify locations with ease, thus ensuring data accuracy. This integration significantly enhances the precision and usability of geographic information within the system.
The combination of the Olympus Riviera Platform and Seek & Go provides a comprehensive solution for managing geographic data. The platform not only serves as an information hub for users exploring the Olympus Riviera region but also offers a powerful backend for data management. With its map-based editing tools and flexible database structure, the system is designed to accommodate continuous updates and future expansions, making it a valuable resource for both visitors and administrators.
2.6. Data Integration and User Interface
The platform was designed to offer two key functionalities to its users, specifically providing information on accessibility infrastructure and information on POIs’ accessibility. As already mentioned, the platform aggregates all collected data related to pedestrian accessibility, including ramps, crossings, sidewalk widths, and obstacles. These data points are then mapped out using cartographic data to provide users with a clear visual representation of the accessibility infrastructure in the study area. This allows users to plan their routes based on their specific needs, ensuring that they can navigate the region safely and comfortably. In addition to route accessibility, the platform also provides detailed information about the accessibility features of individual points of interest. To respect user privacy, the platform ensures that any personal data collected are kept confidential and used solely for the purpose of providing a personalized route and POI recommendations. The platform’s ability to offer personalized recommendations is considered its key strength, as a “one fit for all” approach is not functional when different types of disabilities are discussed. In this context, users can input their specific accessibility needs, and the platform will generate tailored suggestions based on the available infrastructure. For example, a user requiring wheelchair access will only be shown routes and POIs that meet the necessary accessibility standards. The platform also considers additional user-specific needs, such as proximity to accessible restrooms or the presence of seating areas along routes.
To better illustrate the operational process of the Olympus Riviera Digital Platform, the flow chart depicted in Figure 5 outlines the key steps involved, from defining the study area and collecting accessibility data to processing and presenting personalized recommendations. This visual representation highlights the systematic approach taken to ensure a seamless user experience.
Supplementary Material for the Olympus Riviera is available at the Platform’s original website at
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Data Collection and Accessibility Audits
The development of the Olympus Riviera Digital Platform marks a significant advancement in the promotion of the Pieria region as an “Accessible Tourist Destination”. The platform was initially tested in the Municipal District of Platamonas. This area was selected due to its significant tourist traffic and diverse range of POIs, making it an ideal location for validating the platform’s capabilities. The results from this initial phase of testing were convincing, with 68 points of interest and 97 routes audited and integrated into the system [32]. Additionally, 11.5 km of sidewalks and pathways was mapped, providing a comprehensive dataset for the area under study. A total of 430 highly detailed questionnaires were completed during the audit process, ensuring that every aspect of accessibility was thoroughly evaluated.
The questionnaires consist of a wide range of questions, which vary depending on the type of POI, such as a museum, café, bar, theatre, etc. They also cover various physical obstacles, e.g., trees, structures, walkways, entrances, and other relevant features. The questions also require data for specific measurements, such as the width of doors or the height of stairs, which are essential for identifying and addressing physical accessibility challenges. These details are critical in ensuring that environments can accommodate individuals with various mobility impairments or physical disabilities, such as wheelchair users, those with limited mobility, or people with assistive devices. For instance, a question like “What is the width of the door at the entrance?” helps determine whether the entrance is wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility aid. Similarly, questions like “What is the height of the stairs or steps at the entrance?” aim to assess whether the steps present a barrier for people with mobility impairments. Moreover, there are also common questions such as the title, contact details, attached photos, etc.
The platform’s validation process involved cross-checking the audit data with real-world accessibility conditions, ensuring that the information provided to users was accurate and actionable. Any discrepancies identified during the validation phase were corrected before the platform was made publicly available.
While the initial phase of the project focused on the Platamonas area, the platform is designed for wide scalability. Regional public authorities are extending the audits to other high-traffic tourist areas within the Pieria region, such as Paralia, Makrigialos, and Leptokaria. The long-term goal is to make the Pieria region a fully accessible tourist destination by continuously updating and expanding the platform’s dataset to cover the whole area. This methodology, based on detailed audits, real-time data collection, and user feedback, ensures that the platform remains a valuable tool for promoting accessible tourism in the Pieria region. The combination of cartographic data, personalized recommendations, and continuous updates makes it a comprehensive solution for tourists with accessibility needs.
3.2. Enhanced Travel Experience and Inclusivity
One of the most significant results of this initiative is the enhanced travel experience for individuals with accessibility needs. By providing detailed and reliable information, the platform alleviates the uncertainty and stress often associated with planning travel for people with disabilities, elderly visitors, or families with young children. This comprehensive approach makes tourism more inviting and manageable for individuals who may have previously been deterred from visiting the Pieria region due to concerns about the availability of accessible infrastructure. The provision of accurate data about the accessibility of routes and POIs empowers travelers to make informed decisions, thereby improving their overall experience.
Moreover, the platform’s ability to offer personalized recommendations based on user-specific needs ensures that it caters to a broad demographic of travelers. For instance, users who require wheelchair accessibility can filter the available information to show only routes and points of interest that meet their requirements. This tailored approach to travel planning not only improves the visitor experience but also promotes inclusivity by ensuring that individuals with diverse needs are able to fully participate in the tourism offerings of the region.
From an economic perspective, the platform has the potential to significantly broaden the Pieria region’s tourism market by attracting new visitors who value and require accessible facilities, with the feedback from the platform’s initial launch looking promising. The latter is highlighted also by the fact that the platform was awarded with the Gold Award in the Hellenic Tourism Awards 2024 competition, which represents a highly prestigious and competitive initiative nationally in Greece [33].
This influx of visitors can have a direct positive impact on local businesses, particularly those that cater to the needs of tourists, such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation services. By making the region more accessible, local businesses can tap into this growing market segment, leading to increased revenue and economic growth. Additionally, the platform encourages longer stays and repeat visits, as individuals with accessibility needs tend to be loyal customers who return to destinations that offer the necessary infrastructure and services.
In addition to the increased number of special tourists, local businesses in the Pieria region also reported a noticeable rise in customers from this segment. The enhanced accessibility information provided by the Olympus Riviera Digital Platform appears to have directly contributed to this trend, as tourists with mobility challenges and other specific needs feel more confident in planning their visits to the area. Local hotels, restaurants, and transportation services have noted an uptick in bookings and reservations from these visitors, highlighting the economic benefits of the platform. By offering detailed data on accessible routes and points of interest, the platform not only supports a more inclusive tourism experience, but also helps to expand the customer base for local businesses, fostering growth in the region’s tourism sector. This evidence underscores the platform’s positive impact on both the social inclusivity of tourism and the economic vitality of the Pieria region.
3.3. Long-Term Impact and Potential for Expansion
The impact of the Olympus Riviera Digital Platform on the region of Pieria has the potential to be profound, particularly if the platform is expanded to include other high-traffic tourist areas within the region. The long-term vision for this initiative includes continuous improvements in infrastructure and services to meet the evolving needs of all tourists. As more areas in Pieria are audited and included in the platform, the region’s reputation as an accessible and inclusive destination will continue to grow.
In addition to the direct economic and social benefits, the platform also enhances the overall brand and reputation of the Pieria region, which is at the top of the Pieria regional authority’s agenda. By positioning Pieria as a leader in inclusive tourism, the initiative sets a benchmark for other destinations to follow. This pioneering approach attracts positive media attention and recognition from organizations that advocate for disability rights and inclusive tourism. As a result, Pieria may become a model for other regions seeking to improve their accessibility infrastructure and attract a broader range of visitors.
The initiative to promote Pieria as an Accessible Tourist Destination aligns with global trends towards inclusive and sustainable tourism. As more travelers prioritize destinations that offer accessible facilities and services, Pieria’s commitment to accessibility positions it as a forward-thinking and progressive destination. This can enhance the region’s appeal to tourists who are seeking not only a beautiful location but also a destination that aligns with their values of inclusivity and sustainability. Moreover, the platform could serve as a blueprint for other regions looking to develop similar tools to promote accessible tourism. The success of the platform demonstrates that investing in accessibility can yield significant benefits for a region. As such, other tourist destinations may look to replicate this model, contributing to a global movement towards more inclusive and sustainable tourism practices.
4. Conclusions
The development of the Olympus Riviera Digital Platform represents a transformative effort to promote the Pieria Region as an “Accessible Tourist Destination”. This initiative, driven by the need to ensure that all individuals, regardless of physical ability, can access and enjoy the rich tourism offerings of the region, has proven to be an invaluable tool for advancing inclusive tourism. The platform’s ability to provide real-time, detailed information on accessibility infrastructure empowers individuals with disabilities and other mobility challenges to plan their visits with confidence. The initiative sets a powerful precedent for the role of digital platforms in shaping the future of accessible tourism, not only in Pieria but also as a model for other regions globally.
Knowing in advance the accessibility infrastructure of an area or a point of interest is crucial for individuals with special needs. The platform addresses this by offering essential information that supports better planning, smoother navigation, and stress reduction. By enabling users to filter and customize routes and POIs based on their personal needs, the platform enhances their travel experience, promoting independence, inclusivity, and safety. This kind of advanced knowledge significantly reduces the anxiety often associated with navigating unfamiliar environments and empowers users to engage with public spaces and attractions confidently.
In addition to improving the visitor experience and enhancing the local economy, the platform also serves as a decision-making tool for local public authorities and policymakers. The data collected through the platform’s audits provide valuable insights into the current state of accessibility infrastructure in the region. These data can be used to assess and prioritize necessary interventions, helping to improve public spaces and ensure they meet the needs of all citizens, particularly those with special needs. By making informed decisions based on comprehensive data, local to regional authorities can create a more inclusive environment, thus fostering accessible tourism in the region.
In this context, the Olympus Riviera Digital Platform plays a significant role in promoting sustainable development within the region by fostering inclusivity and reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional tourism. By providing personalized and accessible travel routes, the platform ensures that visitors, including those with mobility challenges, elderly travelers, and families with young children, can navigate the region more efficiently, reducing unnecessary travel. This not only enhances the visitor experience but also helps alleviate pressure on heavily trafficked areas, promoting a more balanced distribution of tourists across the region. Moreover, the platform’s ability to attract a diverse range of tourists helps extend the tourism season, encouraging visits during off-peak periods and supporting local businesses year-round. Overall, the Olympus Riviera Digital Platform exemplifies a sustainable approach to tourism that integrates social inclusion, environmental stewardship, and economic growth. It is thus a small, albeit important, stepping stone towards a more sustainable and inclusive tourism model, demonstrating the potential for digital innovation to drive positive change in the tourism industry.
Future research strategies involve several key objectives aimed at enhancing the Olympus Riviera Digital Platform and its impact on accessible tourism. One major goal is to expand the platform’s focus area to cover the entire Pieria Region so as to constitute the whole area as an Accessible Destination, incorporating more tourist hotspots and increasing the breadth of accessibility data available. Moreover, within the forthcoming period, we also plan to integrate private entities into the platform, such as local businesses, hotels, tourism-related services, and transport providers, to create a more comprehensive, region-wide solution for accessible tourism.
Another key aspect of future developments is to offer optimized routes tailored to the diverse needs of tourists with different disabilities, as well as those seeking various types of travel experiences. The platform will aim to provide customized itineraries designed for different needs and types of tourism interests, such as recreational, religious, gastronomic, cultural, and other relevant travel experiences. By incorporating these varied needs and interests, the platform will provide a truly personalized and inclusive travel experience for all visitors, ensuring that everyone can explore the Pieria region in a way that best suits their individual preferences and requirements.
While the platform is currently in its pilot phase and lacks comprehensive quantitative data, future research will also focus on collecting detailed data on visitor spending patterns, business revenue, and other relevant economic indicators. By integrating both qualitative insights and quantitative data, our research will provide a more complete and accurate understanding of the platform’s contributions to local economies, ensuring its benefits are well documented and clearly understood. This comprehensive approach will help demonstrate the positive economic influence of accessible tourism and guide further improvements to the platform.
In conclusion, the Olympus Riviera Digital Platform is a powerful example of how technology can be leveraged to promote accessibility and inclusivity in tourism management. It not only enhances the travel experience for individuals with accessibility needs, but also positions the Pieria region as a forward-thinking and inclusive destination. This initiative highlights the importance of investing in accessible infrastructure and underscores the broader societal and economic benefits of making tourism accessible to all. By continuing to expand and update the platform, Pieria has the potential to become a leading example of accessible tourism, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable global tourism industry.
Conceptualization, C.A., D.A. and I.T.; methodology, C.A. and D.A.; software, I.T.; validation, V.D.; resources, D.F. and C.V.; data curation, I.K., N.T., D.T. and A.K.; writing—original draft preparation, C.A.; writing—review and editing, D.A. and C.V.; visualization, I.T.; supervision, C.A.; project administration, C.A. and D.A.; funding acquisition, C.A., D.A. and D.F. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors on request.
This article is a revised and expanded version of a paper entitled “Digital Platform for Strengthening Accessibility of Tourist Destinations in the Pieria Region”, which was presented at the 5th International Conference on Supply Chain (5th Olympus ICSC), Katerini, Greece, 24–26 May 2024. The authors sincerely thank all contributors, including the Pieria Organization for Tourism Development and local authorities, whose invaluable support enabled this project’s successful data collection and completion.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Footnotes
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.
Supplementary Materials
The Olympus Riviera Digital Platform is available at
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Details
; Aidonis, Dimitrios 1
; Tsampoulatidis, Ioannis 2
; Folinas, Dimitrios 1 ; Kostavelis, Ioannis 3
; Tsolakis, Naoum 3
; Triantafyllou, Dimitrios 3 ; Vlachokostas, Christos 4
; Kelemis, Athanasios 3 ; Dimou, Vasileios 5
1 Institute of Sustainable Development and Circular Economy, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, Greece;
2 Department of Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
3 Department of Supply Chain Management, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, Greece;
4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
5 Department of Business Administration, University of Macedonia, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece;