SA tourism sector to ensure universal accessibility for all

AbsolutVision via Pixabay

The International Day for Persons with Disabilities and Disability Awareness Month both present an opportunity for the tourism sector to once again align to ensure universal accessibility and strive to make tourism accessible for all. Universal access affords all people equal opportunity and access to services and products for their benefit, regardless of their social class, ethnicity, ancestry or physical disabilities.

It is estimated that one billion people worldwide live with disabilities, and face many barriers to inclusion in many key aspects of society. The United Nations Social and Economic Council (UNESCAP) estimates that the potential global market for Universal Accessible Tourism (UAT) is 650 million people with differing disabilities and 600 million elderly people.

Spreading awareness and understanding

While this signifies a huge potential market for travel and tourism, it still remains vastly under-served due to inaccessible travel and tourism facilities and services, as well as discriminatory policies and practices.

The theme for this year’s International Day for Person’s with Disability is Not all Disabilities Are Visible and aims to focus on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent. Like all sectors, the tourism sector has a responsibility to continuously advocate for universal accessibility across all tourism products, in order to ensure inclusivity and advance tourism access for all travellers.

"Universal access is of utmost importance, particularly in the Covid-19 environment. I would like to appeal to the role players in our industry to make universal access a priority by ensuring that all tourist attractions and establishments are not only quality assured through grading but also universally accessible.

"This includes catering for those disabilities that are not immediately visible. It is our responsibility to ensure the same access opportunities to attractions and experiences for everyone," says Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, chief convention bureau officer at South African Tourism.

Providing universal accessiblility

Through the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, the custodian of quality assurance, South African Tourism works in partnership with tourism stakeholders to create awareness and encourage tourism businesses to be universally accessible to all travellers while maintaining service excellence through best-practice standards.

Accessibility is a central element of any responsible and sustainable development policy. It is both a human rights imperative, as well as an exceptional business opportunity. In this context, accessible tourism does not only benefit persons with disabilities, it benefits all of society.