Towards Universal Design Hotels in Denmark

Area of Science:

• Hospitality Management
• Tourism Studies
• Universal Design

Background:

• The 'Accessible Hotel Rooms' research project investigated accessibility features in Danish hotels.
• It examined the supply and demand dynamics for Universal Design (UD) hotel rooms in Denmark.
• Funding was provided by the Danish Transport and Construction Agency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors influencing Universal Design hotels in Denmark.
• To understand current and future demand for accessible hotel accommodations.
• To explore barriers and opportunities for UD implementation in the hotel sector.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of supply and demand perceptions within the Danish hotel sector.
• Identification of attitudes acting as barriers to UD marketing.
• Exploration of the link between user understanding and demand perception.

Main Results:

• Some hotels with accessible rooms do not advertise these features online.
• A prevalent attitude suggests marketing UD is unnecessary if sufficient guests (e.g., business travelers) are already secured.
• A strong correlation exists between understanding user needs and demand for accessible rooms.

Conclusions:

• Barriers to Universal Design adoption in hotels include a lack of perceived need and inadequate marketing of existing accessibility features.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can serve as a strategic platform to promote Universal Design hotels.
• Addressing attitudinal barriers and enhancing the understanding of user requirements are crucial for increasing the uptake of UD in the hotel industry.