Accessible Tourism
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15% of the world’s population (1 billion people) is estimated to live with some form of disability. UNWTO is convinced that accessibility for all to tourist facilities, products, and services should be a central part of any responsible and sustainable tourist policy.
Facilitating travel for people with disabilities is an important issue to be addressed in Indian tourism industry.A change in mind-set and special facilities are needed at every monument/ Pilgrimage centre/Destination to meet this major market demand. Accessible environments and services go a long way in improving the quality of the tourism services and can also create more job opportunities for people with disabilities.
Shravan Kumar Project
This a very old story from Hinduism (Ramayana).Once upon a time there was a Young Boy named Shravan Kumar. His parents were old and blind and wanted to go on a pilgrimage. As was not having means to afford any transportation, so he designed a device like a balance and carried both of them on his shoulders. Although this incidence took places thousands of years back, but still Shravan Kumar is alive in the hearts of Indian people and still devoted Son is referred as ‘Shravan Kumar’ in Hindu society. He was the one who made Pilgrimage accessible to his disabled parents and is our inspiration behind this project of ‘Accessible tourism’ in India. Accessibility, is an integral part of any responsible and sustainable tourism policy and strategy. We are working on creating special services at most of the pilgrimage places and other tourist destinations for providing a comfortable access to differently abled people and elderly people.