The Spain’s Rural Tourism Barometer revealed that 80.4% of Spanish rural accommodations is not wheelchair accessible and only 19.6% have wheelchair-enabled facilities. The report also stated that the percentage has remained stable since the last year.
In Spain there are 3.85 million people with disabilities and 2.54 million of them have movement difficulties, according to figures from the National Statistics Institute (INE). However, only two in every 10 rural properties are wheelchair accessible.
According to a review by the Clubrural.com website and the Department of Tourism at the Nebrija University, the inadequacy of services offered by rural cottages and hotels is an important aspect that needs to be improved by the sector.
Other important services which also need attention is the admission of pets. Almost 60% of the rural accommodation providers do not allow pets although a growing amount of travelers take their pets on holidays with them. Another area that needs to be improved according to the report are services, facilities, and special activities for families with children. 75.6% of rural hotels do not provide any of these services.
Most cottages and hotels in the Spanish countryside have a grill (56.1% of accommodations), a fireplace (62.9%), and a garden (64.4%), stated the researchers.
The first half of 2015 however showed certain improvement regarding internet connection. 43% of rural accommodations now offer internet access compared to 39.1% last year.