Disabled travellers are now a force to be reckoned with in the travel industry, and this realisation is of vital importance – both commercially and humanely.
Some 10% to 11% of the global population is made up of individuals with disabilities. The majority of them are functionally able and potential travellers. The statistics are clear, but how are they utilised in travel, and what stage is accessible tourism at? We spoke with Kamil Gungor, Greece’s first disabled travel blogger and a suitable figure, to reveal the truths and myths about travelling in a wheelchair and to share moments from his personal journey.
What does travel mean to you?
Travel for me means joy, excitement, discovery and mostly unforgettable experiences.
When was the idea for a blog born, and what can one discover in ‘Trawheeler’?
I work for the European Network on Independent Living, a European disability organisation that fights for us disabled people to have control over our lives. This has brought many travels into my life, combined with my personal passion for them, led me to create thetrawheeler.com in 2017. It’s a travel blog unique to its kind in Greece. The idea was that since I have the privilege of travelling a lot and meeting people, why not make a blog to share my experiences with others? If even one person is inspired and decides to book a trip, it’s a victory. Although it is the only travel blog by a disabled person in Greece, it is not an accessible travel guide, but essentially a travel diary. Sometimes you’ll find tips, but it’s mainly about my experiences. Also, it is addressed to all people, disabled or not.
You were born in Greece with roots from Poland. What characteristics do you carry from both countries?
I’ve never thought about it much, so I will keep whatever suits me best! From Poland, I got the light-coloured features (hair, eyes, etc.), but also punctuality in appointments and obligations. From Greece, I got the ingenuity, comfort with others and the joy. Generally, wherever in the world, regardless of colour, culture or religion, people have more commonalities than differences.
Over recent years, has the realm of accessible tourism begun to gain more substantial recognition and importance?
Absolutely, this is true both in Greece and abroad. The fact that one can ascend the Acropolis, albeit the journey to the elevator being another matter entirely, is quite the significant feat. You can traverse Angkor Wat in Cambodia via an accessible tuk-tuk, ascend upon a specially equipped chair strapped onto a camel in Morocco, explore the Amazon, and board a gondola in Venice. In Japan, we were able to use our wheelchairs on the escalators in the subway, as they possess the technology for such accommodations! Truly, there are a plethora of magnificent experiences to be had.
Is travel expensive for a disabled person?
Yes, it usually is. Often you pay double due to needing a helper, limited options, lack of accessibility, etc. Depending on what type of traveler you are, however, there are ways to reduce expenses. I have written about this topic on my blog.
Would you be able to create a top five list of the most accessible travel destinations today?
I would be pleased to propose a top five list of destinations that I myself have visited, though I am certain there are many more accessible locales yet to be explored. Here we go: Japan (a completely different level compared to what we are accustomed to), the USA (home to some of the most significant accessibility legislations, namely the famous ADA), Iceland (which I visited recently and was astounded by how much one can see and experience, even amidst nature where accessibility is not necessarily a given elsewhere), Germany – Austria (I’ve grouped these together as they are very similar in terms of accessibility, boasting exceptional organization, etc.), and Spain (which is home to some of Europe’s most accessible cities, receiving accolades year after year). Countries that narrowly missed the list include Poland, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. In Greece, the most accessible city is Komotini.
Winter or summer travel and why?
Definitely summer, to have good weather, be comfortably dressed and be able to roam around for more hours in daylight, when the world is more beautiful, without being cold, etc. Practically speaking, usually good weather makes the life of disabled people easier.
What are the primary challenges faced by a person with a disability when travelling?
Certainly, the cost, up to the lack of accessibility. In order to travel somewhere, I conduct serious research on every aspect, even the type of airplane – as not all can accommodate my wheelchair. Notifications must be made days in advance (as is the case with trains), a plethora of technical information must be provided, and you must prove that you are not a… moving bomb. Yet still, you encounter problems. Hotels often take it for granted that you will share the bed with your assistant, and thus do not provide a second bed in the only accessible room they have available. The aforementioned issues are blatant discrimination and are what truly disable you. According to the social model of disability, your impairment is not your disability, rather it is the barriers, stereotypes, and social oppression that “disable” you. In inclusive places where all these issues have been addressed, you are no longer disabled, but a citizen like any other.
Every journey changes your life and shapes you. The more you travel, the more pages from the book of the planet you have read. And I’m quite partial to a good read. If I must choose any journeys in particular, then I would select two: my first trip abroad, to Barcelona, because it’s the perfect city to begin with and that’s where I realized I want to go everywhere. The other is Belgium, mainly Ghent, where I lived for six months and this experience literally changed every aspect of my life.
In which areas has there been most progress in accessible tourism (in Greece and internationally), and where is there still work to be done?
Firstly, it is important to say that generally, progress is being made and it continues to grow as time goes by. More and more places are becoming accessible, more accommodations and attractions, more experiences. People are beginning to focus on this responsibly. On the other hand, the negative aspect I can point out is how little progress has been made in transportation. Just the other day, for instance, a friend from abroad in a wheelchair asked me how he can get from Athens to Patras. I had to explain to him, almost with embarrassment, that there is no accessible way, and the prices drivers ask for are inexplicably unreachable. On the islands, for example, we have made accessible beaches, which is fantastic and fundamental, but how do you get there? Also, in air travel, there is essentially no progress, with every journey being a risk for you or your wheelchair. We need a lot more work everywhere, not only in Greece. In the vast and beautiful Russia, for instance, accessibility is nonexistent.
What is the most unusual reason for which you have ever travelled?
Various reasons. Perhaps the most unusual reason by Greek standards is that sometimes I choose a holiday destination based on it being in a location and at a time when a major cycling tour is taking place. For example, last year I went to Bilbao to watch the Vuelta (the Spanish equivalent of the Tour de France). Others travel for concerts and football, I travel for cycling.
