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The Project “PIACT - Policy Innovations for ACcessible Tourism using VR Technology” tackles one of the main common challenges of the participating regions: increasing the potential of existing tourist destinations by supporting diversification, customization, integration and specialization of local tourist services by focusing on accessibility and sustainability and improving common knowledge of new trends in the tourism market and the marketing capacity of SME and local communities to promote accessible tourism with Virtual Reality as the main tool.
The Project “PIACT - Policy Innovations for ACcessible Tourism using VR Technology” tackles one of the main common challenges of the participating regions: increasing the potential of existing tourist destinations by supporting diversification, customization, integration and specialization of local tourist services by focusing on accessibility and sustainability and improving common knowledge of new trends in the tourism market and the marketing capacity of SME and local communities to promote accessible tourism with Virtual Reality as the main tool.
Therefore, the project’s objective is to promote and strengthen the accessible and sustainable tourism offer of the cross border area at a European and international level, through the implementation and diversification of the tourist products/services in the target areas. The project will bring together relevant regional and public authorities and social economy actors working in accessible tourism, targeting and benefiting people with limited access.
With the use of workshops, study visits and exchanges of good practices between the project partners, the consortium will develop new models of user experience for people with disabilities to consume and enjoy touristic content. Together with social economy actors they will produce the policy framework that supports the implementation of these models into practice.
The project is implemented by 3 partners: The Municipality of Petrella Tifernina (Italy), Municipality of Izmir (Turkey) and Municipality of Cascais (Portugal).
Over the 12-month period, the partners will research, prepare and implement 3 workshops, create and foster a network of stakeholders and produce a compendium of tools and recommendations to enhance the cooperation between cities and its social economy actors working in accessible tourism, targeting and benefiting people with limited access.
Using VR in developing solutions
November, 2nd-5th [2021] | Petrella Tifernina, Italy
The first workshop will be led by the applicant Petrella Tifernina, overviewing the good examples, involving local stakeholders in study visits and basic training provided by facilitators and VR experts on the Accessible Tourism topic.
Objectives:
> Understand the situation of tourism, social economy and the people with disabilities in every region;
> Facilitate the cooperation of representatives of different spheres by sharing insights, good practices and expertise in the areas of policies, tourism and accessibility, understanding;
> Understand the potential of VR and online tourism in general;
> Brainstorming about possible solutions, expectations and application of the new tools in local realities;
> Develop the general action plan and national planning, and a press conference and networking event;
> Promote the sustainable network of partners and to disseminate the project beyond the network of partners.
On the 20-222nd of December, 2021, stakeholders representing Municipalities of Petrella Tifernina, Cascais and the Governorship of Izmir have met in a 2nd workshop of the PIACT project in order to continue on the groundwork put in during the 1st workishop which took place in Petrella Tifernina, Italy, in November 2021, establishing new initiatives and the policy framework on VR in Accessible Tourism Strategies of the municipalities. This PIACT workshop, the second of the 3 planned, took place in Izmir, with participants from Portugal and Italy joining in a hybrid manner and was dedicated towards building on the plans established as well as framework for policy recommendations, as part of the main outcome of the 3 workshop - the Compendium of Tools reviewing the best practices, initiatives developed as well as recommendations on a city level. The workshop consisted on planning and development sessions, study visits and meetings with local stakeholders, provided by facilitators and VR experts on the Accessible Tourism topic in order to use VR in developing Solutions. The second Workshop is a part of the project “PIACT - Policy Innovations for ACcessible Tourism using VR technology”. The project is financed by the COSME Programme of the European Union. The second workshop was facilitated by the Governorship of Izmir in Turkey.
The Deputy Governor, Mr. Faik ARICAN, The Deputy Governor stated that technology is used effectively in every sector and emphasized that the exchange of good practice examples on the use of technology in tourism with the PIACT project is an important factor in the promotion of Izmir and our country. Stating that Turkey, Italy and Portugal are the countries that earn significant income from tourism, Arıcan stated that it is important to share knowledge and experience among these countries. Arıcan stated that the increase in the use of virtual reality and technology in tourism will increase the quality and competition. He said; “The use of technology will save time. It will ensure the proliferation of marketing, distribution and production strategy. Access to information will be easier. Most importantly, the needs of the touristic consumer will be met. When these are provided, there will be an improvement in employment. Ensuring that people with disabilities are included in this process will contribute to the tourism revenues of countries both in the form of service recipients and service providers.
The Executive Board Member of Izmir Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Oğuz ÖZKARDEŞ stated that it is of great importance for the Chamber to carry out studies that will ensure the positive separation of our city in the post-pandemic period, when the future of the travel industry is reshaped, digital services, sustainable and nature-friendly destinations stand out. Therefore, we are very pleased to take part in this project and to hold this seminar with our partners. Although we are together as a hybrid today due to pandemic conditions, this does not prevent our cooperation. In fact, it is perhaps the best example of destinations that have adapted to digital solutions and progress towards their goals without hesitation. One of our goals is to improve accessibility in our city with this project, which we carry out with our Italian and Portuguese partners under the leadership of our Governorship. Destinations that offer travel lovers the opportunity to experience with healthy, sustainable, accessible and digital solutions and the service providers in these destinations will take their place in the future order. As the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, we care about being a guiding institution in terms of carrying both our primary stakeholder members and our city to the future.
Cascais debates virtual reality in accessible tourism
The 3rd PIACT Workshop brought representatives from Turkish and Italian cities to Cascais to discuss Virtual Reality (VR) for Accessible Tourism
"Cascais is one of Europe’s most sought-after tourist destinations and is important to the local economy of a town with a focus on people, the promotion of their rights and on innovation. With this project (PIACT), we have managed to bring these three aspects together," said Cascais councillor Carla Semedo in connection with the 3rd Workshop of the programme that was organised by Cascais Council and held at the Cascais Cultural Centre from 26 to 28 January 2022.
PIACT, which stands for Policy Innovations for Accessible Tourism using VR technology, is co-funded by the European Union’s COSME programme, and promoted a debate on Accessible Tourism between the representatives of three towns that welcome a lot of tourists: Izmir in Turkey, Petrella Tifernina in Italy and Cascais.
Participants discussed current trends influencing the future of tourism and how to make this tourism more accessible, while identifying and developing solutions for the challenges and opportunities virtual reality poses in relation to accessible tourism. According to Roberto D’Amico, representing Petrella Tifernina, “we discussed the future of the PIACT project, particularly its sustainability, to ensure it continues beyond 31 January" and invested in the creation of an Accessible Tourism network.
He added: "We wanted to discuss the future and sustainability of these projects and to delve deeper into the matter of accessible tourism, both through the use of augmented reality and other aids."
This sense of the need for the project to continue was reinforced by councillor Semedo, who said: "We have to enable everyone to enjoy what is on offer in terms of tourism. In this respect, virtual reality technologies are excellent tools and more use should be made of them in the future, as was clearly reflected throughout this workshop in Cascais."
At previous workshops held in Petrella Tifernina and Izmir, the partners experienced the potential of these tools and explored new solutions to be developed. In this third PIACT workshop there were plenary, informal and brainstorming sessions, with workshops and study visits involving people with disabilities who gave their first-person views on these tools, their potential and challenges for the future. Participants paid a visit to the Quinta do Pisão, where they received first-hand experience of a form of accessible tourism developed by Cascais. Ana Almada, who represented Cascais at the workshops in Italy and Cascais, said: "We visited Quinta do Pisão and demonstrated the accessible circuit as a good example of investment in accessibility on all-terrain mobility scooters that allow people with limited mobility to follow the circuit, as well as the Braille information boards." She added: “And we see that, with the use of virtual reality technology, we can reach other areas of Pisão, improving accessibility and the visitor’s experience."
The workshop was attended by representatives of tourism departments (or equivalent), representatives from technology/smart departments, social economy stakeholders such as SMEs, commercial organisations, social entrepreneurship educators and the like.
Accessible tourism is seeking this continued investment to ensure everyone can enjoy tourism experiences, regardless of their limitations. Making tourism more accessible is not only a social responsibility; improved accessibility also makes good business sense, as this can only increase the competitiveness of tourism in Europe.
Carla Semedo thanked the project’s many partners, saying: "I would like to thank our international partners in Izmir and Petrella for the lessons they have shared over this past year, and our colleagues and local partners at the D. Luís I Foundation, CERCICA, Cascais Tourism Association and the Independent Life Centre, who brought their precious experience and know-how to this project.
Using VR in developing solutions
November, 2nd-5th [2021] | Petrella Tifernina, Italy
The first workshop will be led by the applicant Petrella Tifernina, overviewing the good examples, involving local stakeholders in study visits and basic training provided by facilitators and VR experts on the Accessible Tourism topic.
Objectives:
> Understand the situation of tourism, social economy and the people with disabilities in every region;
> Facilitate the cooperation of representatives of different spheres by sharing insights, good practices and expertise in the areas of policies, tourism and accessibility, understanding;
> Understand the potential of VR and online tourism in general;
> Brainstorming about possible solutions, expectations and application of the new tools in local realities;
> Develop the general action plan and national planning, and a press conference and networking event;
> Promote the sustainable network of partners and to disseminate the project beyond the network of partners.
On the 20-222nd of December, 2021, stakeholders representing Municipalities of Petrella Tifernina, Cascais and the Governorship of Izmir have met in a 2nd workshop of the PIACT project in order to continue on the groundwork put in during the 1st workishop which took place in Petrella Tifernina, Italy, in November 2021, establishing new initiatives and the policy framework on VR in Accessible Tourism Strategies of the municipalities. This PIACT workshop, the second of the 3 planned, took place in Izmir, with participants from Portugal and Italy joining in a hybrid manner and was dedicated towards building on the plans established as well as framework for policy recommendations, as part of the main outcome of the 3 workshop - the Compendium of Tools reviewing the best practices, initiatives developed as well as recommendations on a city level. The workshop consisted on planning and development sessions, study visits and meetings with local stakeholders, provided by facilitators and VR experts on the Accessible Tourism topic in order to use VR in developing Solutions. The second Workshop is a part of the project “PIACT - Policy Innovations for ACcessible Tourism using VR technology”. The project is financed by the COSME Programme of the European Union. The second workshop was facilitated by the Governorship of Izmir in Turkey.
The Deputy Governor, Mr. Faik ARICAN, The Deputy Governor stated that technology is used effectively in every sector and emphasized that the exchange of good practice examples on the use of technology in tourism with the PIACT project is an important factor in the promotion of Izmir and our country. Stating that Turkey, Italy and Portugal are the countries that earn significant income from tourism, Arıcan stated that it is important to share knowledge and experience among these countries. Arıcan stated that the increase in the use of virtual reality and technology in tourism will increase the quality and competition. He said; “The use of technology will save time. It will ensure the proliferation of marketing, distribution and production strategy. Access to information will be easier. Most importantly, the needs of the touristic consumer will be met. When these are provided, there will be an improvement in employment. Ensuring that people with disabilities are included in this process will contribute to the tourism revenues of countries both in the form of service recipients and service providers.
The Executive Board Member of Izmir Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Oğuz ÖZKARDEŞ stated that it is of great importance for the Chamber to carry out studies that will ensure the positive separation of our city in the post-pandemic period, when the future of the travel industry is reshaped, digital services, sustainable and nature-friendly destinations stand out. Therefore, we are very pleased to take part in this project and to hold this seminar with our partners. Although we are together as a hybrid today due to pandemic conditions, this does not prevent our cooperation. In fact, it is perhaps the best example of destinations that have adapted to digital solutions and progress towards their goals without hesitation. One of our goals is to improve accessibility in our city with this project, which we carry out with our Italian and Portuguese partners under the leadership of our Governorship. Destinations that offer travel lovers the opportunity to experience with healthy, sustainable, accessible and digital solutions and the service providers in these destinations will take their place in the future order. As the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, we care about being a guiding institution in terms of carrying both our primary stakeholder members and our city to the future.
Cascais debates virtual reality in accessible tourism
The 3rd PIACT Workshop brought representatives from Turkish and Italian cities to Cascais to discuss Virtual Reality (VR) for Accessible Tourism
"Cascais is one of Europe’s most sought-after tourist destinations and is important to the local economy of a town with a focus on people, the promotion of their rights and on innovation. With this project (PIACT), we have managed to bring these three aspects together," said Cascais councillor Carla Semedo in connection with the 3rd Workshop of the programme that was organised by Cascais Council and held at the Cascais Cultural Centre from 26 to 28 January 2022.
PIACT, which stands for Policy Innovations for Accessible Tourism using VR technology, is co-funded by the European Union’s COSME programme, and promoted a debate on Accessible Tourism between the representatives of three towns that welcome a lot of tourists: Izmir in Turkey, Petrella Tifernina in Italy and Cascais.
Participants discussed current trends influencing the future of tourism and how to make this tourism more accessible, while identifying and developing solutions for the challenges and opportunities virtual reality poses in relation to accessible tourism. According to Roberto D’Amico, representing Petrella Tifernina, “we discussed the future of the PIACT project, particularly its sustainability, to ensure it continues beyond 31 January" and invested in the creation of an Accessible Tourism network.
He added: "We wanted to discuss the future and sustainability of these projects and to delve deeper into the matter of accessible tourism, both through the use of augmented reality and other aids."
This sense of the need for the project to continue was reinforced by councillor Semedo, who said: "We have to enable everyone to enjoy what is on offer in terms of tourism. In this respect, virtual reality technologies are excellent tools and more use should be made of them in the future, as was clearly reflected throughout this workshop in Cascais."
At previous workshops held in Petrella Tifernina and Izmir, the partners experienced the potential of these tools and explored new solutions to be developed. In this third PIACT workshop there were plenary, informal and brainstorming sessions, with workshops and study visits involving people with disabilities who gave their first-person views on these tools, their potential and challenges for the future. Participants paid a visit to the Quinta do Pisão, where they received first-hand experience of a form of accessible tourism developed by Cascais. Ana Almada, who represented Cascais at the workshops in Italy and Cascais, said: "We visited Quinta do Pisão and demonstrated the accessible circuit as a good example of investment in accessibility on all-terrain mobility scooters that allow people with limited mobility to follow the circuit, as well as the Braille information boards." She added: “And we see that, with the use of virtual reality technology, we can reach other areas of Pisão, improving accessibility and the visitor’s experience."
The workshop was attended by representatives of tourism departments (or equivalent), representatives from technology/smart departments, social economy stakeholders such as SMEs, commercial organisations, social entrepreneurship educators and the like.
Accessible tourism is seeking this continued investment to ensure everyone can enjoy tourism experiences, regardless of their limitations. Making tourism more accessible is not only a social responsibility; improved accessibility also makes good business sense, as this can only increase the competitiveness of tourism in Europe.
Carla Semedo thanked the project’s many partners, saying: "I would like to thank our international partners in Izmir and Petrella for the lessons they have shared over this past year, and our colleagues and local partners at the D. Luís I Foundation, CERCICA, Cascais Tourism Association and the Independent Life Centre, who brought their precious experience and know-how to this project.