Akra Hotels was honored with the Barrier-Free Informatics Private Sector Award for its implementation of the DANIŞ Professional Video Support Service, offered through the WeWALK application, to provide a more comfortable and seamless experience for visually impaired guests.

With the DANIŞ service, Akra Hotels became the first in Turkey to take such an initiative in the field of accessible tourism. The award was presented by the Turkey Barrier-Free Informatics Platform during the opening ceremony of Biltevt’24: International Barrier-Free Informatics 2024 Congress, recognizing successful technology services provided to people with disabilities in Turkey.

With the DANIŞ Professional Video Support Service, visually impaired guests at Akra Hotels can access a free video assistant service at any time—from the reservation process to every moment of their stay. Before arriving, they can receive detailed information about the facilities and receive assistance during the booking process.

During their stay, guests can use the service for everything from selecting elevator floors and adjusting room temperature to navigating social areas and managing food and beverage orders.

Through the DANIŞ service, available at all Akra Hotels—Akra Antalya, Akra V, Akra Kemer, Akra Sorgun, Akra Fethiye, and Akra Fethiye The Residence—the group removes barriers for visually impaired guests and provides a more independent holiday experience.

About Akra Hotels

With 2,600 employees and a bed capacity of 4,331 across its tourism investments, Akra Hotels continues to deliver exceptional service. Drawing strength from its deep-rooted legacy and over 50 years of experience, the group aims to remain “above competition” through internationally recognized hospitality services, pioneering and innovative human resources practices, and curated gastronomy experiences.

Akra Hotels entered the city hotel segment in 2014 with Akra and Akra V, bringing a fresh perspective to Antalya following its initial resorts in Kemer and Sorgun. It expanded its investments with Akra Fethiye in 2015 and Akra Fethiye The Residence in 2019, growing to a total of six properties in the tourism sector.

Beyond tourism, the group also operates one of the region’s most advanced and hygienic textile washing and cleaning facilities in the Antalya Organized Industrial Zone. Spanning 12,000 square meters, the facility serves with a daily capacity of 80 tons of textile processing and employs over 300 staff.

About WeWALK

WeWALK aims to ensure the full and equal participation of visually impaired individuals in social life by developing innovative technologies. The Smart Cane, which integrates cutting-edge technology with the traditional white cane, allows visually impaired users to navigate more safely and independently. Recognized globally, the Smart Cane was selected as one of TIME Magazine’s Inventions of the Year and was awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise Innovation in the UK in 2024.

With the newly developed DANIŞ service, all visually impaired individuals can receive instant visual assistance from expert agents by using their phone cameras. The WeWALK team continues to develop technologies that make life easier for visually impaired people, in collaboration with visually impaired team members. As part of its mission, WeWALK partners with globally respected organizations such as Microsoft, Imperial College London, and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

With all its achievements, WeWALK has represented Turkey in over 750 global media outlets including CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, and Forbes, and continues to do so.