With nearly a billion people estimated to live with some form of disability, the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day is accessible tourism for all.
On Sept 27, the world is reminded that the planet’s natural beauty and diversity shouldn’t be exclusive to the able-bodied and that everyone benefits from universal accessibility in tourism.
“Most of us will develop some form of disability at some stage, and sooner or later we will have specific access requirements to tourism infrastructures, services and products,” reads a report prepared by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
It’s been estimated that the percentage of Australian tourists with disabilities is about 11% of the total number of tourists, while 12% of domestic travellers in the UK were found to have a disability or long-term health problem, points out the UNWTO. The British travellers with disabilities also spent more money and logged more overnight stays away from home than the average traveller.
Studies in the US have also shown that American adults with disabilities or reduced mobility spend an average of US$13.6bil (RM56.2bil) annually.
Read more at http://www.star2.com/travel/malaysia/world/2016/09/27/lets-make-it-easier-for-people-with-disability-to-travel/#2JjlZalUAvZGBLPt.99