Accessibility And Limitations Tourism Essays

Accessibility And Limitations Tourism Essays Accessibility And Limitations Tourism Essay Accessibility And Limitations Tourism Essay The purpose of this work is to try to give an thought of how accessible certain heritage and historical sites in Malta are to senior citizens tourers and besides to place which jobs restrict seniors from sing peculiar sites, and if possible, urge possible suggestions in order to do it more easy accessible for senior citizens. The methodological analysis adopted in this research is the qualitative method utilizing both open-ended and close-ended questionnaires. Data was collected from assorted beginnings including several site visits, interviews with site conservators and staff, and thoughts and suggestions gathered from senior site visitants. Research was carried out on three specific sites St. John s cathedral, The Inquisitor s Palace and Hagar Qim/Mnajdra. Introduction: In Malta, approximately two million tourers have visited museums and historical sites in 2011, which contributed 12.2 million euro to the national economic system. Senior citizens are the 3rd biggest figure of tourer visitants, after grownups and groups, which surely have a great impact on the tourer trials and in the part to this sum. Methodology: We have approached qualitative research methodological analysis to transport out our research. Having considered tourers value of clip and convenience our questionnaires have been made up chiefly by open-ended inquiries. Data aggregation: To hold a dependable, representative and non-biased informations, we have collected our informations from three beginnings. These are: i‚Â · Out mark group, senior visitants i‚Â · Self site visits i‚Â · Sites conservators and staff Due to the seasonality issue, in Malta there are nt many tourers at this clip of the twelvemonth. Therefore, we were small doubting about the informations collected from our mark group, whether informations will be biased or non as they are really few in Numberss. As a consequence for farther information we have visited the sites ourselves and interviewed the sites curator and/or staff. After speaking to the conservators and from our ain experiences, we found that informations of our mark group was rather dependable. In add-on, we did nt measure our informations from statistical point of position as our sample was rather little. St. John s Co-Cathedral Brief History The St. John s Cathedral is located in the capital metropolis of Malta, Valletta, and it was built by the knights of Malta between 1573 and 1578. It is built on a Baroque manner and it was designed by a Maltese designer called A lormu Cassar. Furthermore, the church was founded by the Knights of St. John and many other Grandmasters, this is why it is called St. John s as it was dedicated to their frequenter, St. John the Baptist. The cathedral is alone due to the field facade it has in contrast with the rich gay temper one finds indoors. It is full of civilization and rich in art as the knights paid for rich creative persons and gave many parts in order to enrich it with the best humanistic disciplines. In fact one finds two celebrated Caravaggio pictures in the Cathedral: The Beheading of St. John the Baptist and St. Jerome Writing. There are besides a batch of Mattia Preti s graphicss ( another Renaissance celebrated creative person ) and in fact he is besides buried in the Co-Cath edral. In add-on, many graves of of import knights are found in the inlaid marble floor of the cathedral therefore it makes the cathedral even more sacred. In the cathedral there are besides chapels to every langue/ nationality of the knights, nine in entire, each dedicated to their saint and with Grandmasters of that nationality buried at that place. In decision, the Cathedral has undergone many Restoration procedures, all done from the money charged from the visitants when sing. As a consequence, at the minute The Crypt of the Grand Masters is closed due to restoration plants in order to protect it. Handiness Analysis The St. John s Co-Cathedral is a really popular site among senior tourers, apart from being a sacred topographic point it is really accessible. The Cathedral is really easy to happen as it is in the chief street of Valletta and it is besides easy accessible by public conveyance as the chief coach end point in Malta is in Valletta. At the entryway of the cathedral there is a incline so those who are wheelchair edge will happen no trouble to come in the cathedral. All around the cathedral there are several benches which might assist those seniors which are less able to stand to rest during their circuit around the cathedral. Furthermore, senior tourers have a benefit when sing this cathedral as there is a particular decrease in monetary value for seniors which helps in doing it more attractive. Senior tourers pay the sum of a‚Â ¬4.60 alternatively of the normal grownup rate of a‚Â ¬6.00. The fee entryway includes besides cusps which one is available at the really beginning of the circuit and other several cusps which are chiefly found within every chapel. An audio usher is besides available and it is available in assorted European linguistic communications such as Maltese, English, Italian, Gallic, German and Spanish. Soon they are traveling to present Russian and Nipponese every bit good and this will assist in holding a wider scope of tourers. The first cusp which is given at the really beginning of the circuit goes manus in manus with the audio usher as on the cusp there is an sound map which fundamentally guides the tourers around the cathedral and museum. Due to the sound usher and leaflets it helps in seeking to extinguish assorted troubles which such seniors might hold. Those seniors with low vision can easy acquire to cognize about this cathedral with the aid of the audio usher. Even those aged with hearing jobs they can easy follow the circuit through the cusps and the notes available on panels on every object, therefore it is really accessible for seniors with different troubles. At the St. John s Co-Cathedral, public toilets for those wheelchair edge are besides available hence, it is a really accessible site as it caters for everybody. At the terminal of the circuit tourers have the chance to purchase keepsakes from the gift store which is on the land floor degree, doing it besides accessible for everyon e, even for those who might non hold managed to do it to the museum upstairs. Restrictions When sing the St. John s Co-Cathedral there is no job to come in as there is a incline at the entryway for those wheelchair bound nevertheless although they can easy entree the cathedral, there are no lifts to suit wheelchair bound tourers to see the museum upstairs. Therefore, senior tourers may hold a disadvantage due to the sum of steps there are to see the museum upstairs which consists of beautiful aggregations of Flemish tapestries, sacred vestments and lighted books. The figure of visitants at the St. John s Co-Cathedral is limited as overcrowding cause injury to the edifice every bit good as its artifacts. As the passageways between one chapel and another are really narrow, these can easy do congestions. They were originally designed for merely one individual individual to go through through them nevertheless as tourers normally come in big groups they tend to travel around the cathedral as a group and this may increase the harm. Tourists have oning heeled places are non allowed to come in the cathedral in order to continue the inlaid marble besides tourers are expected to have on decently when sing the cathedral as it is a topographic point of worship. Photography is allowed in the cathedral nevertheless one must esteem that the usage of flash is out as such flash can easy do harm to the artifacts that surround the cathedral. The country where there is Caravaggio s pictures picture taking is out even without flash. This is besides due to the ha rm that could easy do by clip. Presently at the St. John s Co-Cathedral there are some countries which are non accessible for tourers due to Restorations. Due to these plants tourist s Tourss around the cathedral are limited as non all countries can be visited. The Inquisitor s Palace Brief History The interrogator s castle is found in the bosom of Vittoriosa, which forms portion of the Three Cities. This Palace is one of the few lasting castles from all over Europe, as many other castles have now been destroyed either by clip or by war. Many architectural characteristics inside the edifice are good preserved, and as the lettering alongside the entryway provinces, the castle dates back to the Norman domination, where it was used as a Court of Law. The Inquisitor s Palace was of great importance to the Knights of the Order of St. John, this being the ground that Vittoriosa is an plus for our history, along with other museums in the town. The castle is one of these historic topographic points, which attract many tourers during the twelvemonth, and besides attracts locals who are analyzing or merely interested in the topic. The Inquisitor s Palace was used as the civil tribunal of the Order of St. John during the 1530s and served till the 1571. The first official interrogator to be offered the castle was Pietro Dusina in 1574 and the castle besides served as a muss house during the British regulation. In 1966 the castle was opened for public screening. The castle s chief focal point is the spiritual values in Maltese individuality, particularly as influenced by the Inquisition. Handiness Analysis When sing the Inquisitor s Palace, it is noted that as it was built many old ages ago, it does non hold the luxuries of modern installations. Due to this fact, there is no infinite where these installations can be built such as lifts and inclines. Besides non much can be modified to better the castle s handiness, as by making so the original chef-doeuvre will be lost. This may be a challenge for the aged and impossible for wheelchair edge seniors, to see the major parts of the castle as there are rather a big figure of stepss to mount in and no lifts are available. However in the response country there are cusps available in English where a map is included, this helps the persons non to acquire lost. Numbers and directional marks place every subdivision in the castle, which besides help in orientating oneself in the edifice. Restrictions As there are no lifts available, the tourers has to be fit to get the better of big flights of stepss, were each measure is extremely elevated so tourers have to be really cautious where measure in order to avoid accidents. Besides when sing the prison cells the doors are rather low and it may be hard for senior citizens to flex down and see the inside of the cells. There is besides a complete absence of comfy remainder suites as presently the lone public toilets available are the nomadic lavatories, since some Restoration is being made to the castle. Near each artifact, there are little tablets with brief information on the intent of the point. However the fount of these tablets is rather little, and may be a challenge to read for those seniors whose vision has diminished. However there are besides some boards with big founts that give you the overview of what the tourer is traveling to see. Still there are no audio picture or narrative of what is being seen. The individual in charge of the castle remarked that the lone possible solution for these tourers is to engage a personal guided circuit in order to explicate what they are seeing, as the castle does non offer this installation. When sing the aged with hearing damage the castle does non provide with any installations for these tourers, as there are no cusps that explain what is being seen. The lone cusps available are merely an overview for the general tourer and do non hold any specific inside informations. Besides it was noted that there is no cafeteria or keepsake store at the Palace, which could easy bring forth excess financess for the site. Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples. A Brief History Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples are located in Qrendi merely a few metres apart. These consist of two chief temples and were built over 5,000 old ages ago. Hagar Qim temple was excavated in 1839 and Mnajdra temple was found a twelvemonth subsequently in 1840. UNESCO named Hagar Qim and Mnajdra as universe heritage sites in 1992. Accessibility and Restrictions When sing the site it is really easy to make by coach ( route 201 ) , nevertheless this could take a piece. Besides a large parking country is available for managers and for those going with private autos. We talked to some tourer who arrived by coach and said that they found it really easily as the coach Michigan is merely a few metres off from the site. However some said that the journey was rather long. The bulk of the people heard about these temples through the cyberspace, others said that they have heard about the sites from friends and relations and were really funny about the site. The information edifice is easy accessible by a few stairss and for those seniors who have jobs traveling up stepss or in wheelchairs, there is a lift from the parking straight to the information Centre. From here tickets can be bought. Tickets for seniors are discounted to Eur 6.50 signifier Eur 9. The museum is in the same edifice as the information Centre, so it easy accessible. A short cartridge holder is shown before come ining the museum which is really enlightening about what will be seen at the site. The sound is really good and everything can be understood even by some seniors whose hearing has diminished. Seating is provided so everyone particularly seniors appreciate that they can rest during the cartridge holder. In the museum there s a batch of information about the types of stones, how the topographic point was built and a brief history of the sites. Some of the seniors we interviewed found it a spot hard to read the information as the text is written in a little fount and no guided Tourss are available to explicate what s written. Although there are screens with recordings on them, merely two are available and some said that to listen to all the docudrama is rather long. Others found that the samples of stones and other artifacts were rather interesting. The way from the museum to the first temple Hagar Qim, is really smooth and accessible, nevertheless in the temple itself the land is a spot bouldery. Not many of our interviewers complained approximately this as this leaves the temple in its original province. In the temple there are no guided Tourss provided but some found the marks really helpful. Some said that because they came in Tourss a usher was booked and was really helpful as they could inquire inquiries if they could nt read or understand the marks. The distance between Hagar Qim and Mnajdra is about 500m, traveling to Mnajdra is really easy, but traveling back could be rather hard for seniors as the uphill is really steep. Some besides said that they did nt travel to Mnajdra as they were warned by the staff at the information desk about this and bought merely ticket to the first temple. However some said that although they found it a spot hard to travel back up the route, they claimed that it was deserving it. Finding a eating house nearby was extremely appreciated by the people we interviewed. Suggestions and Decision After analyzing and construing informations from the selected sites, there were some issues that should be solved for the interest of the visitants every bit good for the sites better and profitable operation. The followers are some suggestions and possible solutions that could be practiced for the best of the sites. i‚Â · To hold a standard degree of handiness in all the sites. Some sites are really accessible while some are non. For illustration, In St. John Co-Cathedral visitants can do usage of an audio usher and if anyone requires farther information there are rather a good figure of staff whom you can inquire. Here there are besides lavatories for wheel chair bound visitants, on the other manus in the Inquisitor s castle, there are no audio ushers and cusps are merely in Maltese and English. Besides there is a deficiency of staff and the two nomadic lavatories provided are hard for normal people to entree allow alone seniors and wheel chair bound visitants. Therefor all the sites should hold an handiness benchmark. i‚Â · To increase the figure of staff which should be trained and educated to assist tourers with reading. In 2011 there was a diminution of 10 % in full clip employees than the old twelvemonth and the bulk of the full clip employees were classified as other staff which includes clerks, cleaners, security guards etc. ( beginning: NSO, 20 NOV.2012 ) i‚Â · The figure of staff should increase and direction are to supply preparation for first assistance classs. Particularly since senior people are more delicate and more accident prone. Staff should be experienced in how to manage accidents and cover with any incidents. In Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples, there should be more staff available on site in order to assist seniors who are in wheelchairs to travel around the sites particularly traveling to and from Mnajdra temple. i‚Â · To increase the figure of interpretive manners and media, presenting sound and picture ushers and cusps in different linguistic communications. Most of the sites provide cusps but are limited in linguistic communications. Besides a batch of the sites do nt supply any audio usher. Furthermore, the debut of picture ushers will assist visitants who can non see certain parts of the sites, acquire a good thought of the whole premises, particularly seniors. i‚Â · To increase the mark markets. In 2012 one billion tourers crossed international lodgers where China ( 30 % ) and Russia ( 15 % ) was the first two states among the top 10 international markets by outgos ( beginning: UNWTO ) . Most of the heritage sites in Malta cater chiefly for European tourers while China, Russia, Japan, are some possible markets which are non given that much importance. i‚Â · To promote and increase consciousness among the local people about the sites, they should be unfastened to the local citizens at least one peculiar twenty-four hours in a month. If locals learn to appreciate the sites they will promote tourers to see and appreciate the civilization. The local people will urge and promote tourers to see the sites, assist them to happen the sites and the best manner to acquire at that place. In add-on it will besides assist younger coevals to larn about their civilization and history. For case, The Inquisitor s castle was unfastened to the populace on 13th of December 2012 and locals appreciated the chance to see the castle. Date: 5/12/12 University of Malta: Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture Interview Form. Interviewers: DAnastasi Jolene, Zammit Francesca, Sabuj Miah, Anna Vella, Mearaid Ciantar Brown A ; Andreas Cassar Name of the Site: St. John s Co-Cathedral Interviewee: Ms. Catherine Galea Position: Site Assistant Questions: Do seniors see a batch this site? Yes they do in fact it is one of the most sites that aged visit in Valletta. Is there any particular decrease in monetary value for seniors? Yes seniors pay a‚Â ¬4.60 alternatively of a‚Â ¬6.00 to see this site. What does the monetary value include? It includes the visit in the co-cathedral and in the museum and it includes every bit good a free sound circuit. In which languages is the audio circuit available? It is available in Maltese, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish and shortly we are traveling to present the Russian and Nipponese linguistic communications excessively. Which nationalities visit largely? They are largely European particularly English, German and Italian tourers. Is it accessible for seniors? There are some stepss which they might happen a spot hard although largely are still really fit and do non mind at all mounting some stepss to see the museum. Is there a lift available for those wheelchair bound? Unfortunately no since we do non hold adequate infinite, but they can still see the Co-Cathedral downstairs as there is a incline in the entryway and issue. Further remarks: In summer we are really busy with many long waiting lines nevertheless during the winter season we will be really quiet. We have many Tourss from twenty-four hours sails which tend to see this site. In fact, the eldest tourer that has visited this site was really on a sail ship sing Malta as one of the Michigan. She was 91 old ages old and she did non mind mounting the stepss to see the Museum upstairs as she was really fit. Therefore, the stepss do non make such a large job for seniors. Date: 17/12/2012 University of Malta: Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture Interview signifier Interviewers: Francesca Zammt, Jolene DAnastasi, SabujMiah, Alexia Lia, Anna Vella, Mearaid Ciantar Brown, Andreas Cassar, Nadia Tabone Name of the site: the Inquisitor s Palace Interviewee: Kenneth Cassar Position: Curator Questions: Do seniors see a batch this site? We do acquire senior visitants but the bulk of the visitants are grownups. Is there any particular decrease in monetary value for seniors? Yes, we have a particular monetary value decrease for seniors. For grownups the entry fee is 6.00eur piece, for the seniors its merely 4.50eur. Make you supply any audio usher? Unfortunately non at the minute, nevertheless right now we are supervising the tourer flow and every bit shortly as we ll pull off to happen a tendency we ll supply audio usher in different linguistic communications harmonizing to the flow. As the panels are merely in English and Maltese do you hold something else in different linguistic communications for those who do non understand such linguistic communication? At the minute no and besides we are non traveling to make full up our walls with the panels. Just to inform you that we are traveling to present excess notes in different linguistic communications which will be available at response but we are still waiting to place the tourer flow. Which nationalities visit the site most? Chiefly European ( British, German, Italian, ) and we besides get Nipponese, Chinese, Russian but comparatively less than the European tourers. Is it accessible for seniors? Yes, in general it is accessible for seniors but for the senior with limited mobility and wheel chair edge, the site is non easy accessible as you can see there are tonss of stepss all over the museum. Furthermore, some seniors besides find it hard to entree the prison cells and anguish room country. But unluckily we ca nt make much about it as we ca nt alter the construction of the edifice. Could you please state us about the hereafter program sing the site installation? We ll upgrade those nomadic lavatories in the garden, we ll set peddling machine and besides we are traveling to put in wireless local area network near the response country. Besides as I said earlier we are traveling to present both audio usher and cusps in different linguistic communications. What about the beginning of fund of the site? The major beginning of the fund is entry fee. However, as the site belongs to heritage Malta and heritage Malta is a authorities organisation, therefore we besides get fund from authorities. Thank you for your clip and grasp. Date: 08/12/2012 University of Malta: Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture Interview signifier Interviewers: Francesca Zammt, Jolene DAnastasi, SabujMiah, Alexia Lia, Anna Vella, Mearaid Ciantar Brown, Andreas Cassar, Nadia Tabone Name of the site: Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples Interviewee: N/A* Position: Receptionist at Information Centre. Questions: Do seniors see a batch this site? Yes they do but they are non the bulk of visitants. Is there any particular decrease in monetary value for seniors? Yes, the monetary value for people aged 60 and over is reduced to 6.50 from 9. Make you supply any guided Tourss? Guided Tourss can merely be provided if they are booked beforehand from Heritage Malta. Which nationalities visit the site most? Largely European ( British, German, Italian ) Is it accessible for seniors? The museum and the first temple, Hagar Qim is really accessible nevertheless we ve had ailments about the route to the 2nd temple, Mnajdra. Due to this we started reding seniors to purchase tickets for the first temple merely. What about the beginning of fund of the site? The major beginning of the fund comes from the entryway fee. Besides Heritage Malta provides financess which are given by the authorities. *interviewee wanted to stay anon. .