Being reminded on their legal obligations to achieve accessibility inside the building, hoteliers might feel stressed and perhaps even harassed financially.

But barrier free hotels mean more than just political correct business or everything's hunky-dory. In fact widening the entrances literally for handicapped and elderly people gives the hoteliers access as well - namely to a new and growing group of customers.

"And this group is totally under estimated - they are longing to take holidays, but frequently resign because of the obstacles", Chairman of Ruhr 2010 Corporation Frith Pleitgen stated on the ITB Berlin.

His company has a certain attitude towards accessibility because when in 2010 the Ruhr region becomes European Cutural Capital each visitor shall take part in cultural events. This means any sight must become barrier free until then.

At the travel fair the topic accessibility was considered that much important it dominated the congress agenda for a whole day. In Germany for example, about ten per cent of the population absolutely need barrier free living space. For another 30 to 40 per cent it is at least helpful.

By the demographic change process observed in many countries in Europa, America and Asia, this share is expected to increase considerably.

One has to face there is still a lot to be done: Only ten per cent of websites are barrier free to be visited by blind or visually handycapped peoble without any difficulty.

In the rest of the world this might be even less. And just cultural events often are situated in buildings that do offer only poor accessibility. Facing that they of all other potential guest could increase the number of visitors, the situations needs to be improved.

Furthermore, discovering them as a target group would definetely pay back: In Germany 37 per cent of the handicapped people only do not travel because there is a lack of choices. 50 per cent of those would travel more often, if there were more offers for them. 45 per cent of the surveyed even would spend a 12,50 euros (15,75 dollars) more per day for barrier free environment.

Besides handicapped people always have a escort person with them, statistically they tend to stay little longer than the "ordinary" guest.

If there were enought travel packages tailored to handicapped and elderly people, only in Germany the travel market would increase by about two million trips per year.

Assuming an average travel duration of 14 days and a daily budget of 65 euros (78 dollars), the tourism industry may miss more than two billion euros per anno. Yet 50 per cent could be invested and create 65.000 jobs.