ACCESS 2 HERITAGE

The primary goal of the A2H project was to support the sustainable development of cultural heritage tourism in the cross-border area between Greece and Bulgaria and to establish the region as an international destination for senior and accessible tourism, including people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, the elderly, and their families. Specific objectives of the project also included the exchange of expertise and best practices related to improving the accessibility of cultural and natural heritage sites, enhancing accessibility infrastructure and visitor experience at selected cultural and natural heritage locations through the implementation of specific construction projects, and "greening" selected areas by improving the environmental performance of supported structures towards reducing energy consumption, rational waste management, ecosystem preservation, etc. Additionally, the A2H project aimed to improve the capacity of authorities responsible for managing cultural and natural heritage assets, as well as tourism professionals (e.g., tour guides, travel agents, event organizers, transportation services, etc.) to meet the needs of senior and accessible tourism.
Raising awareness among local stakeholders, particularly young people, regarding the potential of cultural heritage tourism, the importance of adopting sustainable development strategies, and inclusive design was also a key objective of the project. Field studies were conducted to collect data on existing accessibility infrastructure and the friendliness of key cultural and natural monuments in the cross-border area between Greece and Bulgaria towards visitors with disabilities and elderly visitors.
The activities carried out within the framework of the A2H project also aimed to enhance the visibility of cultural and natural heritage assets that are accessible and friendly to all through electronic and physical means, campaigns, etc., and by producing an informational guide for all visitors, with useful information for the elderly and people with disabilities. It should be emphasized that the overall goal of the A2H project was to promote accessibility in the broader region and to strengthen the area's brand image so that it is widely recognized as an accessible tourist destination. In this light, a joint strategic planning study was conducted with the support of all participating project partners to promote the region's brand as an international tourist destination for elderly individuals and people with disabilities, offering high-quality services at low-to-moderate cost.