Universal access should be a priority in the tourism sector, in order to make South Africa an even more attractive tourism destination; making it inclusive and sustainable. This was the message South African Tourismβs Acting CEO, Sthembiso Dlamini, put out on International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the 3rd of December, which marked the end of Disability Rights Awareness Month in South Africa.
The estimated potential global market for Universal Accessible Tourism is 650 million people with differing disabilities and 600 million elderly people
Roughly one billion people worldwide live with disabilities, and the United Nations Social and Economic Council (UNESCAP) estimates that the potential global market for Universal Accessible Tourism (UAT) is 650 million people with differing disabilities and 600 million elderly people.
This presents a significant opportunity to grow the local tourism sector, and universal accessibility is critical to making this happen.
Dlamini appealed to the industry to make universal access a priority. This will afford the same access opportunities for everyone, which is a human rights imperative. This will also help make South Africa a more competitive tourist destination.
Dlamini said, βAs a sector, we have a responsibility to continuously advocate for universal accessibility in tourism products, in order to ensure that we achieve the necessary levels of inclusivity. It is prudent for tourism service providers to consider the merits of accelerating measures to address the needs of this sector, based on the predicted demand which exceeds the current availability of universally accessible accommodation, services and facilities.β
