- Sports tourism for people with disabilities is still, I would say, a poorly discovered niche, but in order to find our way in it, we learned more about their needs with each guest and implemented them in the hotel. We entered this niche targeted and planned, strategically, with the intention of making our hotel suitable accommodation for people with disabilities, David Gregoraš, Hotel Panorama.
Tourism for people with disabilities is an increasingly important segment of the tourist offer in Europe and the world. Accessible destinations allow people with special needs to enjoy travel without barriers, which encourages their equal inclusion in society and increases the quality of life. Croatia, especially Medjimurje, recognized the importance of inclusive tourism and developed facilities and infrastructure adapted to everyone. And that's not only for tourists on vacation, but also for athletes who are doing their preparations more and more often in the north of Croatia.
In Prelog, the members of the Croatian Paralympic table tennis team recently trained at the Panorama Hotel, this weekend Panorama is hosting the national para-table tennis championship, and in May the Brazilian table tennis team will be training. Last year alone, Panorama achieved almost 1000 overnight stays by athletes with special needs. When you consider that the hotel achieved 14.000 overnight stays throughout the year, it is clear that this is a great percentage for one tourist segment.
People with disabilities often face challenges when traveling – from inaccessible accommodation facilities and restaurants to inadequate tourist facilities. However, more and more destinations are investing in accessibility, because inclusive tourism brings numerous advantages: It enables freedom of movement and equal enjoyment of cultural, natural and sports attractions, and at the same time encourages the development of the local economy because it includes hotels, restaurants, transport and attractions adapted to all visitors.
It also automatically includes a larger number of tourists, because people with disabilities often travel with their families or companions, because regardless of the accommodation's suitability, it's good to have someone who knows everything about their personal needs with them. For athletes, the challenge is even greater because they have to get from the hotel to the sports halls, which takes up a lot of precious time. Even if it's raining... But not in the Panorama in Međimurje. The hotel has a handball hall, also adapted for basketball, five-a-side football and table tennis, so athletes with special needs can do their training without any problems or exhausting transportation.
Athletes with special needs in Međimurje feel right at home. After showering in bathrooms equipped to their needs, they take a large elevator, through whose doors wheelchairs can pass without any problems, to breakfast, without fear of encountering any obstacle, such as the most difficult one – stairs. Precisely because of sensitivity towards its guests with special needs, all floors in Panorama are level. The sports hall is a few dozen steps away from the restaurant.
– Sports tourism for people with disabilities is still, I would say, a poorly discovered niche, but in order to find our way in it, we have learned more about their needs with each guest and implemented them in the hotel. We entered this niche in a targeted and planned way, strategically, with the intention of making our hotel a suitable accommodation for people with disabilities. We travel a lot and have noticed, both in Croatia and other European countries, that hotels are poorly adapted to this group, that everything is full of obstacles and stairs, and we have decided that this will not be the case with us and we are constantly working on further improving the conditions for people with special needs. If you do it in a planned way, in a new facility, according to plan, the investments are not large at all. The point is that they can enjoy their stay, simply. If they have any suggestions, we take them into account and implement them. Also, they are loyal guests, not only because of the suitable accommodation, but also because of the relationship with them, and they are great people, and my mother and I do everything to make them feel at home here, says David Gregoraš, manager of Hotel Panorama.
Overall, Međimurje, thanks to its planned infrastructure development, natural advantages and innovative projects, has emerged as one of the more accessible destinations for people with special needs in Croatia. The region proves that tourism can and must be accessible to everyone. Cultural landmarks such as the Međimurje Museum in Čakovec and the Old Town of the Zrinskis have also adapted their facilities to the needs of people with disabilities, allowing visitors in wheelchairs to explore the region's rich history.
The promenades along the Mura and Drava rivers are adapted for people in wheelchairs, so, in addition to tourists on vacation, athletes in training spend their free time enjoying the Međimurje nature. Međimurje shows that inclusive tourism is not only an opportunity for development, but also a social responsibility. This region sets standards in accessibility and sustainable tourism, providing inspiration to other parts of Croatia.
By investing in adapting infrastructure and promoting an inclusive approach, Međimurje confirms that tourism is truly successful only when it is accessible to all. When it comes to athletes with special needs, Panorama is, and it is clear why, the first choice of accommodation. Now they are waiting for Brazilian table tennis players, about 20 of them, with the same number of Croatian players, to compete with them. The hotel's sports hall meets the highest certificates.
