Barrier-free tourism kick starts in Kerala
Kerala is going to be the first 100 per cent accessible friendly tourism destination in the world. The concept of differently-abled friendly tourism will be materialized through the new project – Barrier Free Kerala Tourism, which kick started on 27th June 2017.
Tourism Minister Kadakampalli Surender has lighted the lamp of the project, which will enable the differently-abled people to fulfill their desire to visit any of the tourist destinations of Kerala, which was only a dream before. Minister inaugurated the workshop for accessible tourism and the different projects envisioned for the differently-abled people.
“Kerala has set off a new movement in the history of tourism development,” said the Minister in his inaugural address. In order to explore the beauty and diversity of our place, we have been luring people to visit Kerala. The tourists visiting Kerala include differently able people and people of old age. Our new project – Barrier free Kerala- is aiming at enabling such people to visit any of the destinations in Kerala, like other normal people.
“This is a historical step towards tourism development,” said the Minister. Kerala Tourism has always been in the forefront to introduce innovative ideas in the tourism sector. Kerala has already become a global model in the implementation of ‘responsible tourism.’ The government consider tourism sector as one of the industries that could contribute to the economic development of the state. Efforts to re-brand Kerala tourism is on the way. Any development programme should be in the interest of the common people. The government is policy is formulated keeping this in mind. All our tourism development programme will be carried out in line with responsible tourism and conserving the nature and ecosystem.
Barrier Free Kerala Tourism programme aims at converting Kerala to be a 100 accessible friendly tourist destination by the end of 2021. In order to achieve this, 200 tourist centers of Kerala will be made differently abled friendly. Government has already set aside Rs 9 crores for this purpose. Infrastructure facilities will be set up like ramps with handrails, wheel chairs, hearing aids, differently abled friendly toilets etc.
All the differently abled friendly tourism programme will be implemented by Responsible Tourism Mission. The mission will provide guidelines to make all the tourism destinations of the state to be accessible to all. “The accessible tourism programme will become one of the major tasks of Responsible Tourism Mission,” added the Minister.
“Tourism department aims at making all our tourism destinations accessible and enjoyable for each and everyone, without discrimination,” said the Tourism Secretary Rani George, who was presiding the function. “By implementing such projects, we strive to demonstrate the distinctiveness of Kerala Tourism to the world,” she added.
“This project will be beneficial not only for the differently abled people, but for those mature people with 8 per cent disability,” observed Tourism Director Balakiran I A S in his welcome speech.
Responsible Tourism Mission Coordinator K Roopesh presented the report and action plan. KTIL CMD K G Mohanlal, KTM President Baby Mathew Somatheeram, Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry President E M Najeeb, Adventure Tourism CEO Manesh Bhaskar, ATTOI President PK Aneesh Kumar, Tourism Advisory Board Member Ravishankar KV, RT Mission Finance and Administrative Officer Kamalasanan VS etc. delivered their speeches.
In the workshop on the subject RT Mission Coordinator Roopesh Kumar, Abhijith Murukakkar, Kavitha Murugakkar, Simson George, Jolly Johnson etc took classes.
