# Empowering Tourism Accessibility: A Digital Revolution in Pieria, Greece
## 1 Introduction  
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), disability is not only a medical issue, but a complex phenomenon primarily related to the interaction between an individual and the environment in which they live [1]. This shift in perspective is crucial for understanding the broader challenges faced by people with disabilities, as it emphasizes that limitations often arise from external barriers rather than from the disability itself. These barriers can be physical, such as the absence of ramps or accessible transport, or attitudinal, such as societal stigmas and biases [2, 3]. To mitigate many of these issues, it is essential to improve both the physical and social accessibility of environments, ensuring that individuals with special needs can interact with their surroundings as independently as possible. Recognizing and acting upon this right to access is fundamental to creating inclusive societies where all individuals, regardless of their physical capabilities, can participate fully in social, economic, and cultural activities. Accessibility is not merely a convenience for people with disabilities, but a cornerstone of equality, fairness, and human dignity. In this context, accessibility benefits everyone,contributing to the creation of more inclusive, equitable, and just societies that promote universal participation and inclusion [4]. From an economic perspective, improving accessibility also supports the goals of sustainable development, with a particular focus on the tourism sector [5; 6; 7; 8; 9]. As the global population ages, the demand for accessible tourism will continue to grow, presenting an opportunity for regions and countries to cater to an expanding market of elderly travelers and those with mobility challenges [10]. The principle of accessible tourism is thus becoming central to the industry's long-term sustainability and growth, ensuring that destinations, services, and experiences are available to everyone, regardless of physical abilities. For the tourism industry, this is not simply a matter of compliance with legal requirements, but also an opportunity to expand its customer base and improve its reputation by demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity. Accessibility plays a critical role in shaping the tourism experience for a diverse range of travelers. By ensuring that facilities, transportation systems, and information are designed to accommodate individuals with varying levels of mobility, the tourism sector can make destinations more welcoming to all, including people with disabilities, elderly travelers, and families with young children. These efforts are not only ethically sound but also economically beneficial, as they help to tap into a substantial and often underserved market. Moreover, accessible tourism initiatives align with broader legal and ethical frameworks, such as those outlined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which mandate the removal of barriers that prevent equal access to travel experiences [5; 11; 12; 13]. Implementing such initiatives is crucial not only for individual destinations but also for the global tourism industry's development, helping to ensure that travel is a right, not a privilege reserved for the physically abled population. Tourism accessibility can be understood through a framework of three key pillars: justice and equality, economic growth, and societal inclusion. First, from a justice perspective, accessibility ensures that all individuals, regardless of physical abilities, can enjoy equal opportunities in tourism [14; 15; 16]. Travelers with mobility challenges or other disabilities are entitled to the same opportunities as able-bodied individuals to explore new destinations and have meaningful travel experiences [16]. This approach reflects a commitment to human rights, as accessibility supports the fundamental principle that all individuals have the right to leisure, adventure, and exploration.