# Empowering Tourism Accessibility: A Digital Revolution in Pieria, Greece
## Results and Discussion  
### Data Collection and Accessibility Audits  
The development of the Olympus Riviera Digital Platform marks a significant advancement in the promotion of the Pieria region as an \"Accessible Tourist Destination\".  
Figure 5: Flow chart for Olympus Riviera Platform’s operation.  
The platform was initially tested in the Municipal District of Platamonas. This area was selected due to its significant tourist traffic and diverse range of POIs, making it an ideal location for validating the platform's capabilities. The results from this initial phase of testing were convincing, with 68 points of interest and 97 routes audited and integrated into the system [32]. Additionally, 11.5 km of sidewalks and pathways was mapped, providing a comprehensive dataset for the area under study. A total of 430 highly detailed questionnaires were completed during the audit process, ensuring that every aspect of accessibility was thoroughly evaluated.  
The questionnaires consist of a wide range of questions, which vary depending on the type of POI, such as a museum, cafe, bar, theatre, etc. They also cover various physical obstacles, e.g., trees, structures, walkways, entrances, and other relevant features. The questions also require data for specific measurements, such as the width of doors or the height of stairs, which are essential for identifying and addressing physical accessibility challenges. These details are critical in ensuring that environments can accommodate individuals with various mobility impairments or physical disabilities, such as wheelchair users, those with limited mobility, or people with assistive devices. For instance, a question like \"What is the width of the door at the entrance?\" helps determine whether the entrance is wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility aid. Similarly, questions like \"What is the height of the stairs or steps at the entrance?\" aim to assess whether the steps present a barrier for people with mobility impairments. Moreover, there are also common questions such as the title, contact details, attached photos, etc.  
The platform's validation process involved cross-checking the audit data with real-world accessibility conditions, ensuring that the information provided to users was accurate and actionable. Any discrepancies identified during the validation phase were corrected before the platform was made publicly available.  
While the initial phase of the project focused on the Platamonas area, the platform is designed for wide scalability. Regional public authorities are extending the audits to other high-traffic tourist areas within the Pieria region, such as Paralia, Makrigialos, and Leptokaria. The long-term goal is to make the Pieria region a fully accessible tourist destination by continuously updating and expanding the platform's dataset to cover the whole area. This methodology, based on detailed audits, real-time data collection, and user feedback, ensures that the platform remains a valuable tool for promoting accessible tourism in the Pieria region. The combination of cartographic data, personalized recommendations, and continuous updates makes it a comprehensive solution for tourists with accessibility needs.