UNESCAP/ CDPF Regional Workshop on Promotion of Barrier-free Tourism
Sanya City, Hainan Island, China
30 October – 1 November 2006

Promotion of Barrier-Free Tourism in Asia and the Pacific

Presented by Jean-Louis Vignuda
UN ESCAP

Slide 1

Promotion of Barrier-Free Tourism in Asia and the Pacific

By

Jean-Louis Vignuda
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(UNESCAP)

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Main features of Tourism

• Market segmentation
• New market segments
• Seniors market or “Grey Tourism”
• People with disabilities

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Tourism Performance

• Growth of tourism 1950-2005

• 10% of global GDP and 8% of employment estimated by WTTC

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Tourism in Asia-Pacific Region

In the Year 2005

• The international tourist arrivals increased by 7 % amounting to 156.2 million
• Tourist receipts increased by 8.7 %
• Asia-Pacific gained an additional $US11 billion amounting to a total of $US138.9 billion

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Tourism in Asia-Pacific Region in 2005

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Disability and Tourism

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Inaccessible Tourism

Basic framework of barriers:

• Intrinsic
• Environmental
• Communication

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Social and Cultural Constraints

• In social terms, it is the disabling environment and hostile social attitudes that create and accentuate disability.
• In economic terms, it is the additional costs associated with having a disability, which restrict travel and tourism opportunities.
• Holidays for people with disabilities can cost between 30 to 200 % more than holidays for non-disabled

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Travel Planning Information

Poor information dissemination has been identified as a major weakness in tourism activities for people with disabilities

Collation of information on barrier-free tourism product is one of the easiest ways to establish a new market segment campaign

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Transportation Barriers

Public transport options are not fully available for independent use by people with disabilities.

Major constraints are:

• Prolonged travel time
• Unknown territories
• Unfamiliar transport options (train, coach, airplane)

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Accessible Accommodation

Many operators do not understand what accessible or barrier-free accommodation really means.

Major barriers to accommodation are:

• Location
• Proximity to services, public transport, parking and drop-offs
• Movement within the premises
• Person-friendly services and facilities
• Room features usable by everyone

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The Destination Experience

There are 2 components central to the barrier-free nature of a tourism destination:

• Disability discrimination legislation
• Regulation of the built environment

Disability cannot been seen as an OPTIONAL extra but as part of the mainstream service provision

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Actions Needed to Promote Barrier-Free Tourism

• Government responses to the access requirements of people with disabilities vary widely and tend to reflect the economic capacity or the development of the concerned country.
• Despite current efforts, there are a number of remedial actions which need to be taken to develop and/or expand tourism taking advantage of this growing market of would-be travelers with disabilities.
• Travel planning and decision making process embraces a number of steps and elements. Each steps brings with it a problem, which needs to be solved in order to satisfactorily appease the “anxiety” accompanying the process.

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Legislation Framework

One key area is the formulation and implementation of related legislation to protect the right of persons with disabilities to accessible facilities and environment.

Both the public sector & tourism industry have the obligation to ensure right of equal access to usable tourism facilities (accommodation and destination), services, travel modes and programmes.

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Infrastructure

It is the physical environment that the traveler has to cope with.

Regulation over this infrastructure includes:

• The built environment
• Incorporating streetscape
• Access to buildings and services
• Inclusive design

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Accessible Accommodation

• Availability of barrier-free accommodation is a prerequisite to potential travelers with disabilities.
• Actions at short term: tourism sector should strive to provide a reasonable level of accessibility, balancing disabled users’ needs, existing conditions and resource available.
• Actions at long term: encourage major restructuring/refurbishment of facilities.

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Tour Operators

Tour operators are instrumental in promoting barrier-free tourism, as people with disabilities are more likely to rely on tourism professionals.

Travel agents should strengthen their promotional activities in collaboration with other tourism professionals (e.g. hoteliers, etc.) and disability organizations

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Other Services

Additional costs associated when travelling with a disability is an important factor.

Need for services providing:

• Locally available personal care equipment
• Locally available attendant care
• Appropriate pricing policies encouraging travellers with disabilities to travel with their carer

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Information

Provision of information on barrier-free tourism is important

Three main groups of channels:

• Government tourism authorities
• Disability and seniors related organizations/associations
• Individual operators

Techniques available:

• Internet
• Production and dissemination of “Mobility Maps”

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Training and Education

Education and training on awareness and sensitivity to disability issues is another top priority area in the promotion of accessible tourism

Collaboration between disability organizations, tourism industry and education sector would facilitate the development of required training programmes

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Conclusion

People with disabilities becoming a growing market.

The over-riding need is for good information and good barrier-free access.

The tourism industry should adopt a proactive approach in promoting barrier-free tourism for all so that tourism in the Asia-Pacific can maintain its competitive edge in a fast changing tourism market with better-informed consumers.

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Thank You

www.unescap.org/ttdw/index.asp

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