Athens puts daily cap on visitors to Acropolis
The number of visitors to the Acropolis of Athens will be limited to 20,000 per day with staggered entry starting in September, according to reports.
The historic site gets up to 23,000 daily visitors, with half of them arriving before noon, although it is open from 8 am to 8 pm.
“That is a huge number,” Greece’s culture minister, Lina Mendoni said. “Tourism is obviously desirable for the country and for all of us, but we must work out how over tourism won’t harm the monument.”
Crowding at the Acropolis also “creates unpleasant conditions for the site, the visitors, and the staff who are trying to accommodate this high volume of people,” she added.
The new visiting system, which will roll out in early September, will cap entry into the Acropolis at a certain number of visitors each hour. Greece also plans to implement this system next year for other archaeological sites that accept electronic tickets.
Germany welcomes travellers with special needs
The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has long been a champion of inclusivity. Now, courtesy of increased investment in its ‘Tourism For All’ campaign, the country has ramped up the available amenities for travellers in need of special care and attention. When it comes to barrier-free travel options, Germany’s commitment cannot be questioned.
Germany has already made significant investment, consulting with experts to ensure its leisure and tourism facilities are fully inclusive to all visitors, irrespective of physical or educational challenges. Now, visitors with reduced mobility can find a whole range of new options at their disposal. From accessible accommodation to outstanding leisure options, a whole variety of places offer step-free, convenient access, as well as plentiful space.
Yamina Sofo, Director at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), emphasised the country’s dedication to accessibility. “By working closely with policymakers, accommodation providers, and site managers, Germany has implemented various changes, such as building ramps at historical sites, providing braille and audio descriptive text, and creating special parking and aided bathrooms,” she said. “These revisions have made a vast range of activities accessible to visitors who previously may not have felt able or at least comfortable.”
The ‘Tourism For All’ initiative caters to seven types of visitors, including those with reduced mobility, wheelchair users, impaired hearing, visual impairments, blindness, and learning difficulties. The website offers further information for guests with allergies and allows them to search for activities based on their interests or the areas they plan to visit.
Onyx Hospitality Group unveils ESG framework
Thailand-based ONYX Hospitality Group is reinforcing its commitment towards sustainability with an overhaul of its existing corporate social responsibility offering.
The leading Asian hospitality provider has introduced a new framework from which it aims to organise all of its environmental, social and governance initiatives. The new framework will also align with the global framework of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
A key initiative under the framework is an exclusive partnership with ESF (Environmental and Social Foundation) and WWF (World Wildlife Fund). This project will rollout environmental education to students in local schools via a mobile interactive exhibition in eight key destinations throughout Thailand, over a period of 10 months.
UAE travellers vote for low emission car hire
Almost half (41 per cent) of UAE travellers have hired an electric or hybrid car during a recent holiday, whilst another 50 per cent would consider it, according to recent research released by travel price comparison site Skyscanner.
As well as saving on fuel, choosing an electric vehicle (EV) means you’ll also be exempt from low-emission zone charges in some cities, and enjoy free parking, provided they’re plugged in to a charging point.
Skyscanner’s research also revealed the top destinations for road trips with the Middle East (42 per cent), Europe (21 per cent) and Asia (12 per cent) topping the list for preferred road trip holidays amongst UAE travellers.