Join us at Destinations for All 2014, Montreal 19-22 Oct 2014

Hyperlinked Logo of Destinations for All, Montreal 19-22 October 2014. The link will take you to the Home Page of teh Conference Website

You are coordially invited for the 1st ever World Summit Destinations for All. The issue of accessible tourism has never been more relevant: 15% of the world’s population faces some degree of limited physical mobility, and with a greater aging demographic, this number will only increase. It is time to think of tourism no longer solely as a luxury, but as a need that is shared by everyone. By making tourism accessible to all, destinations are also:

  • Responding to the reality of an aging population
  • Providing a more inclusive focus on all customer requirements
  • Winning the loyalty of  travellers
  • Distinguishing themselves from the competition
  • Contributing to their destinations’ civic pride

The World Summit Destinations for All promises to take the current dialogue on accessible tourism to a new and exciting level. By bringing together key players in tourism, culture, and transportation, the Summit aims to identify and implement the necessary measures to establish international tourism that is inclusive and accessible.

Organized by Kéroul, Québec’s leading authority on accessible tourism, and supported by numerous prestigious international organizations, the World Summit Destinations for All promises to chart a new and exciting course towards universal accessible tourism.

Svayam – National Centre for Inclusive Environments, Delhi, India proudly supports this event. We hope you join us on the journey.

Help us spread the word by being an Ambassador Ambassador Kit – Destinations for All 2014.

To keep updated, watch out the Press Release Page of the Conference Website.

See you Montréal October 19-22, 2014!

Inviting comments on Draft Research Study on Accessible Tourism in India

Dear Colleagues,
 
Greetings from Svayam!
 
Union Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India commissioned a research study on Prospects of Accessible Tourism March 2009 which has been completed and the draft research report has been opened for review and comments of the stakeholders yesterday. The research was conducted at five destinations i.e. Taj Mahal (Agra), Amber Fort (Jaipur), Qutub Minar, Delhi), Sun Temple (Konark), Mamallapuram (T.N) and Old Goa churches.
 
The study aims at eliciting some of the critical attributes of this segment- viz. their travel behaviour, travel requirements and purchasing power. Needless to state, a study of this nature is a concerted move to evolving better understanding of various attributes of the tourists with disabilities, thereby, contributing to the existing information base. That, in turn, can provide a broad direction and to help in framing appropriate policies and programmes in such a manner to their better facilitation as well as exploring tourism potential.
 
The objectives of research study are:
 
1. To examine the socio- economic background of the physically challenged tourists visiting different destinations in India;
2. To analyse their travel behaviour;
3. To examine the problems being faced by them and status of special provisions, if any, in those attractions/ facilities ;
4. To examine their expenditure pattern and purchasing power;
5. To suggest suitable mechanisms to better facilitating the travel needs of this segment.
 
As a part of Technical Advisory Committee on Accessible Tourism, Svayam has been assigned the responsibility to collate the comments and views of the stakeholders on the research report. Since the research report runs in to 138 pages, it will only be circulated to those who wish to provide valuable comments/views on the same. Those who are keen on offering their views may kindly indicate so by replying to us on email: subhash.vashishth@jindalsaw.com, subhash.vashishth@svayam.com so that we can send you the draft research report.
 
We request you to kindly study the report and offer your comments/views to make this research report a first valid and credible research document brought out by Govt. of India on Accessible Tourism. The likely stakeholders are Tourists with disabilities, senior citizens, ladies with infants, children and any potential tourist with reduced  mobility, among others.
 
Kindly respond within the given time frame so that the same could be constructively used for finalisation of the Research Report.
 
Warm regards,
 
Subhash Chandra Vashishth
Programme Coordinator – Svayam
Jindal Centre, 12, Bhikaji Cama Place
New Delhi – 110066
Board Numbers: +91 (11) 26188360-74, Direct: 41462323
Mobile: 9811125521, Fax: +91 (11) 26161271, 26170691
email: subhash.vashishth@svayam.com, subhash.vashishth@jindalsaw.com Web: www.svayam.com