ACCESSIBLE TOURISM AND UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY: AN ANALYSIS

Tourism is a worldwide phenomenon and every country is trying to lure maximum customers to their tourist destinations. However the competition is heavy and under such circumstances new opportunities have to be explored. Accessible tourism is such a new business opportunity which focusing the concept of universal accessibility.  Freedom of mobility is a basic right and inseparable part of everyone’s life. Every person has the right to travel and explore even the farthest edge of the globe. The present environment however, doesn’t seem conducive enough to realize the potential of the tourist with reduced mobility in the leisure and recreation market. According to WHO (2011) there are approximately 1 billion persons with disabilities in the world which accounts to almost 15% of the world’s population. The tourism industry should recognize that people with disabilities have equal rights to tourism services and opportunities. Therefore it should formulate tourism policies and practices which is accessible to people with disabilities, giving rise to equitable and accessible tourism to all. Above all, we must appreciate the social responsible approach of accessible tourism which not only benefits the people with disabilities or special needs but also each one of us