Greece launches accessible tourism platform

A new information resource is being developed in Greece. It will tell tourists with special needs about accessible places and attractions in the country. The non-profit organization Agoni Grammi Gonimi, Microsoft Hellas and ATCOM work together on creating a platform called Extra Miliers under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism of Greece.

The platform (website and application) provides information that will ensure people with permanent or temporary disability or other access needs, the equal right to tourism and the enjoyment of the unique beauties of the Greek islands. The first destinations will be Syros, Chios and Rhodes.

Extra Miliers is aimed primarily at people with visual impairments and reduced mobility.  Applications will use artificial intelligence technologies (conversion of text into speech, face recognition, text analysis), to strengthen the accessibility of the platform and improve the experience of its users.

Mr. Theodosis Michalopoulos, CEO for Greece, Cyprus and Malta, said: "With over 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide, ensuring equal access, in addition to human rights, is an integral part. element of our company's vision. We are happy to support the work of civil society. Through this cooperation, we put technology and innovation at the service of the common good and contribute to the creation of a different culture around perhaps our most important national product, tourism".