Przystosowanie hoteli do potrzeb osób niepełnosprawnych

Abstract

After Polish accession to the European Union the disabled gained new opportunities and an access to active social life. It also applies to a wider range of opportunities to participate in tours. This paper aims at demonstrating the needs of disabled tourists, and adaptation of hotels to meet their requirements and expectations. The study focuses on Polish legally binding norms and regulations concerning the organization of hotel objects with special attention to needs of the disabled. The issues of elimination of various barriers (architectural, urban, transport) contained in legal articles have been raised as well. In the main part of the paper appropriate functional solutions suitable for people with different forms of disabilities in all most important sections of the hotel (accommodation, gastronomic, recreational and leisure) have been presented. The adaptation of a hotel should comprise all sectors and service points appearing in particular functional sections of the hotel. In the period of evidently aging society a well-adapted hotel meeting requirements of disabled guests and well-trained and qualified staff can gain advantage over the competitors on the hotel market. However, Polish hospitality has a long way to go to be recognized as fully adapted to serve disabled guests.