1. Is Accessible Tourism an easy thing to do or the right thing to do?

How can it help and

support the sustainable development of the destination? 

Access to tourism is everyone’s right as assured by the law. Accessible tourism simply means
enabling people with disabilities to explore the world switching from fear to freedom. Accessible
tourism simply means adapting facilities so they are easier to travel in, whether the visitors are
people with disabilities or not. This gives tourists opportunities to visit areas they have been
dreaming to see, but could not visit because of access difficulties. Inclusive tourism accepts
everyone, no matter their physical state.
Yes, accessible tourism is the right thing to do, at the same time not an easy thing to do. Nepal
being a developing country, it is new to the term accessible tourism. It is important to build
accessible infrastructure for the benefit of the locals as well the foreign tourists who travel to
enjoy natural beauty of Nepal. Although Nepal the effort for accessible tourism has already
begun in Nepal, there are lots of challenges to meet this challenge. Lack of accessible
infrastructure, lack of laws and lack of accessible tourism products.
To ensure that accessible tourism is developed in a sustainable manner requires that tourist
destinations go beyond ad hoc services to adopting the principle of universal design, ensuring
that all persons, regardless of their physical or cognitive needs, are able to use and enjoy the
available amenities in an equitable and sustainable manner. This approach foregoes preferential
or segregated treatment of differently abled constituents to permitting uninhibited use of facilities
and services by all, at any time, to equitable effect. Accessible Tourism normally includes
elderly people, people with special needs or people with disabilities. These people are more
likely to visit new places when they hear about the places which is friendly in terms of their
needs. They usually travel on word of mouth, therefore, if they a place is likely to cater their
needs and has an access to the destination they will likely choose the place. There are some of
the reasons as to why accessible tourism helps the sustainable development of the destination and
they are :

 It will create a new market for tour operators, hoteliers, construction , etc
 It is the right thing to do
 Nepal can become one of the best destination for people with disabilities
 The age groups for tourism will be increased when the destination is catered for senior
citizens as well
 Awareness among the people will rise to treat tourists with disabilities as any other
tourists.
 It will also be a pleasing experience for the domestic tourist after it becomes inclusive of
elderly, children and disabled people.
 Private sectors will start investing more on such kind of projects.
3. How do you foresee 'Accessible Tourism' bouncing back in the world? How would be your
inputs / suggestions to Nepali Tourism in order to attract and grow this market segment? What
are the challenges and opportunities? 

With the increasing population, there are over 1 billion people with some form of disability and
with friends and families; there are over a third of world’s population directly affected by
disability. The tourism industry must rise to the challenge of the changing demographic structure
of the market and re-examine its product and service offerings. It is predicted that the accessible
tourism market, although under-served, will account for 25% of total tourism spending by 2020.
Looking forward just a few years, the proportion of people with disabilities will only continue to
rise, given the general ageing of the population. The retiring Baby Boomer generation in western
countries, in particular, will have a significant impact on the tourism market: they will control
50% of total tourism spending, 40% of then will have some form of disability, and by 2020, 25%
of total worldwide tourism spending will be by travelers with a disability (McKinsey, 2007).
With the growing life expectancy worldwide, tourism industry will get more seniors/ elderly
travelers with less mobility. By promoting inclusive tourism, Nepal can attract such travelers in a
significant numbers.
In terms of Nepal, this market cannot be possible until joining hands with International
organizations like European Network of Accessible Tourism (ENAT), ICTP, UNWTO and
engaging local organizations like NFD-N, HAN, NATTA, NATO and NTB for accessible
tourism will ensure a sustainable development of Tourism in Nepal.
Some of the challenges for the growth of this market are:

 The poor economy and the budget allocated for the development of the infrastructure in
Nepal.
 Lack of awareness about accessible tourism and therefore, the perspective towards the
accessible tourism.
 The challenging structures and temperatures in the mountains.
 The laws and policies that are made for people with disabilities.
 Untrained professional staff capable of informing and advising about accessibility issues
 Inaccessible booking services and related websites
 Lack of accessible airports and transfer facilities and services
 Unavailability of adapted and accessible hotel rooms, restaurants, shops, toilets and
public places
  Unavailable information on accessible facilities, services, equipment rentals and tourist
attraction
 Whereas there are also numerous opportunities that comes with accessible tourism such
as:

 Accessibility is also an important aspect of realizing the rights of the world’s ageing
population. As we grow older, our chance of experiencing a permanent or temporary
disability is increased. A focus on accessibility can therefore ensure that we are able to
participate fully in our societies well into our older years.
 Accessibility also benefits pregnant women and persons who are temporarily rendered
immobile.
 The improvements to physical and service infrastructure that come with a focus on
accessibility also encourage a more multigenerational focus in development planning. For
families with small children, accessible infrastructure particularly in transportation, city
planning and building design improves the ability of these families to participate in social
and cultural activities.
 Improving the accessibility of tourism services increases their quality and their
enjoyment for all tourists, as well as improving quality of life in the local communities

Some of the suggestions that Nepal government should imply to attract this segment of
tourists are :
 To Invest more in infrastructure which leads to tourism.
 To make policies and laws regarding the safety measures for the tourists with special
needs or even the elderly and small children.
 To make information easily available in the local as well as international platform.
 To allocate a budget for the development of tourism sectors, hoteliers, and the
infrastructure that leads to tourism.
 To raise awareness among people to treat all the tourists (including the disabled) with
equal respect.

4. Wounded Herotes Trek to Nepal, was it a milestone event that boosted the moral and
confidence of Destination Nepal. how can Nepal leverage from this event that was listed in
UNWTO's Tourism Day celebration event 2016.

Accessible tourism simply means adapting facilities so they are easier to travel in, whether the
visitors are people with disabilities or not. This gives tourists opportunities to visit areas they
have been dreaming to see, but could not visit because of access difficulties. Inclusive tourism
accepts everyone, no matter their physical state.
Yes, wounded heroes trek to Nepal, was a milestone event that boosted the moral and
confidence of destination Nepal because this opened many new doors like after the ‘wounded
trek to Nepal 2016’, Nepal tourism board and the national federation of disabled Nepal along
with the four season travel and tour hosted the inaugural of international conference on
accessible adventure in pokhara, which happened to be the first ever accessible trial, near
sarangkot, pokhara.
Likewise, Nepal can leverage this event by advertising itself as

 New country with inclusive tourism.

 Country with many new trails and tourist spots that are under construction for
accessible tourism.
 Country rapidly moving towards development of accessible tourism which will include
more segment of population from around the globe.
 More private investors to invest in the projects of inclusive tourism.
 Drawing the attention of the government and the local people towards the benefits of
inclusive tourism.
 Increasing number of participation of domestic tourists.
 Advertise itself as a country participating in a lot of events that conducts inclusive
tourism.
 New resources/ products could be introduced in the country for the accessible tourists.
 Therefore a new market might come into existence which will cater the needs of the
accessible tourism.

2. Please research and write more about Dr. Scott Rains (Rolling Rains) and his contribution to
Accessible Tourism in the world. Should he be regarded as the 'Farther of Accessible Tourism in
Nepal' ? Why or Why Not !