Accessible Tourism : A Study of accessibility in Hotel Chains,Public Transport and Ferry Companies in Helsinki
Khatri, Kumar; Shrestha, Rajkumar; Mahat, Ujjwal (2012)
Khatri, Kumar
Shrestha, Rajkumar
Mahat, Ujjwal
Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu
2012
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012053110987
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012053110987
Tiivistelmä
This Bachelor’s thesis was prepared for the fulfillment of the educational standard of Laurea University of Applied Sciences. This thesis is aimed to achieve a main goal which is to explore accessible service and product with its environment into hotel chains, public transportation and ferry companies in Helsinki. In addition, this thesis describes the current accessibility situation of hotel chains, public transportation and two ferry companies in Helsinki.
The empirical study material was collected at three major sector including hotel chains in Helsinki with the connection of public transportation and ferry companies Viking Line and Silja Line. The research was conducted by contacting most of the leading hotel chains, public transportation authority HSL or HKL and ferry companies delivering to them an e-mail with details of the theme of thesis. The research was accomplished with the help of the structured interview, e-mail questionnaire and systematic observation in hotel chains, public transportation and ferry companies through the perspective of wheelchair person. The research questions explore the current service level in accessibility in hotel chains, in public transportation and in ferry companies in Helsinki and its improvement in service delivery. The output of thesis includes the theory section and empirical section that deals with researched area.
This thesis presents the significance of accessible tourism in a whole life approach. Accessible tourism is based on a new emerging niche market in tourism industry related to disabled travelers and seniors including a major factor of human life span and a phenomenon which can be influenced any person at any stage of his or her life. Every disabled tourist has a right to experience the tourism product and service whenever and whatever they desire without any barrier. This study benefits all the stakeholders of tourism industry as well as students of tourism. Additionally, this thesis focuses the value of accessible education or training in University education and in degree programmes of tourism. Furthermore, this thesis facilitates to build up the social inclusion, independence, equity and dignity. In order to strengthen the potentiality of tourism in Helsinki, this thesis gives an innovative idea and a solution to improve accessible tourism in Helsinki.
The empirical study material was collected at three major sector including hotel chains in Helsinki with the connection of public transportation and ferry companies Viking Line and Silja Line. The research was conducted by contacting most of the leading hotel chains, public transportation authority HSL or HKL and ferry companies delivering to them an e-mail with details of the theme of thesis. The research was accomplished with the help of the structured interview, e-mail questionnaire and systematic observation in hotel chains, public transportation and ferry companies through the perspective of wheelchair person. The research questions explore the current service level in accessibility in hotel chains, in public transportation and in ferry companies in Helsinki and its improvement in service delivery. The output of thesis includes the theory section and empirical section that deals with researched area.
This thesis presents the significance of accessible tourism in a whole life approach. Accessible tourism is based on a new emerging niche market in tourism industry related to disabled travelers and seniors including a major factor of human life span and a phenomenon which can be influenced any person at any stage of his or her life. Every disabled tourist has a right to experience the tourism product and service whenever and whatever they desire without any barrier. This study benefits all the stakeholders of tourism industry as well as students of tourism. Additionally, this thesis focuses the value of accessible education or training in University education and in degree programmes of tourism. Furthermore, this thesis facilitates to build up the social inclusion, independence, equity and dignity. In order to strengthen the potentiality of tourism in Helsinki, this thesis gives an innovative idea and a solution to improve accessible tourism in Helsinki.