National Development Agency
Services at Lake Balaton for persons with disabilities
5 June 2008
The investment implemented along the Lake Balaton waterfront in the area of Fonyód ensures access to the services of the Lake Balaton tourism centre – which services were difficult to access earlier – for nearly 500 visitors with disabilities.
During the course of the implementation of the investment implemented within the framework of the Regional Operational Programme of National Development Plan I (NDP I-ROP), a completely new 728 m2, 29-room building with an accommodation capacity of 49 beds was constructed. The project host built a 40 m long handicap access path and ramp, which ensures direct handicapped access to the building; all rooms on the ground floor are also available for handicapped persons. Social facilities are available in all rooms and guests now have the opportunity to use the sauna, steam bath, massage pool and big swimming pool. In addition, the operator also organises guided bicycle and walking tours for guests.
Two jobs were also created as a result of the construction of the new tourist centre building on realistic market demands and at the same time ensuring high standard accommodation conditions. 4000 visitors are anticipated to stay at the hotel in the first year according to the calculations of the investor.
The investment was implemented with the help of non-reimbursable assistance of over 51 million HUF in value (total costs of the project exceed 102 million HUF).
The project host also took equal opportunity criteria into account during the course of planning, as well as implementation. The enterprise reaches women, Roma individuals and persons with disabilities through organisations engaging in the protection of the interests of these groups, and therefore provides information to these groups. The investment targets consumption accompanied by low material and energy use. The key characteristic of the hotel providing services for eco-tourism is to provide basic services at a high standard, instead of primarily focusing on offering luxury services. Gas is used for heating; however, renewable natural energy resources are equally used, since hot water is generated with the help of solar panels.
