Creating an Inclusive Travel World Where Everyone Belongs: Seven Things That Need to Change
2 min readWith the growing demand for accessibility in the travel space, here are seven ways the travel industry can embrace a higher level of inclusion.
The post Creating an Inclusive Travel World Where Everyone Belongs: Seven Things That Need to Change appeared first on JourneyWoman.
What can the travel industry do to improve accessibility and inclusion?
by Tanzila Khan
Whether on wheels or feet, travelling is the most beautiful way to experience the beauty of this world, see cultures and places, meet people and try different activities. As a wheelchair user and a travel blogger from Pakistan, I have traveled to more than 20 countries and have experienced grassroot challenges of travelling in a wheelchair.
I often see lists titled “The Best Destination for Accessible Travel”. These rank places, hotels, airlines and activities as being wheelchair accessible with ramps and elevators. There are two problems with these studies. The first is that the actual people with disabilities living in that city are not consulted, quoted or considered when data is published. This is misleading and creates a delusion of accessibility.
The second problem is that these lists don’t take into consideration the culture, people or history of that destination. For example, in the USA, one can find an accessible parking spot or a wheelchair-accessible bathroom in any building. In India, however, this may not be the case, so it ranks lower. However, in India, a dozen people will stop by to provide any support or help a wheelchair user might need, to the extent of opening their houses for hospitality. Which place, then is more accessible from the disabled person’s point of view?
We all know that there’s more to travelling than airlines, hotels and activities. The travel experience is defined by the destination’s culture, spirit and essence. I always look forward to connecting with a place through the people. The travel industry needs to understand the root of the stigma of disability or the cultural reaction towards it and can position itself by aligning with it. For example, the top priority of a person with a disability travelling alone is not an accessible hotel. More importantly, it is the sense of safety we feel from the staff. Total accessibility cannot be guaranteed but human intervention for safety, comfort and empathy is a must to make any destination truly accessible.
