August 26: A recent study has suggested that promotion of accessible tourism could help Nepal drive the sector's recovery and boost economy. The study backed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) states that investing in disability-friendly infrastructure and services can help hoteliers and entrepreneurs tap the accessible tourism market in Nepal, a growing segment globally, while driving economic growth and accelerating recovery.    
The study was conducted by the Society of Economic Journalists of Nepal (SEJON) in collaboration with the National Federation of the Disabled, Nepal (NFDN) and was financially and technically assisted by the IFC.    
According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, the Survey on Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Nepal’s Hotels covered 90 star-rated hotels in major cities across the country. Although 95 percent of the participating hoteliers were aware of the concept of accessible tourism, they had not invested in necessary measures to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities, mentions the report.    

According to the survey, only about nine percent of the hotels had staff who were trained in or had basic knowledge of sign language while only 33 percent of the participating hotels had extra wheelchairs for guests

The report further states that only 17 percent of the surveyed hotels had put up signs to help visually-impaired guests and 74 percent of the hotels did not have any Braille signage on door plaques and room directories.

"Globally, the concept of accessible or inclusive tourism has gained ground in recent times. Accessibility at tourism destinations is key to responsible and sustainable tourism to ensure everyone can be part of the tourism experience, regardless of physical limitations, disabilities, or age," RSS quoted Wendy Werner, IFC Country Manager for Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan as saying. "Accessible tourism is not only a human right, it also makes business sense."    
According to the World Health Organization, globally, around one billion people are affected by some form of disability. Disability rights experts in Nepal argue that with more persons with physical limitations and disabilities travelling around the world, a focus on accessible infrastructure in hotels as well as tourism destinations can boost the number of foreign tourists in the country.    
"Currently, around 2,000 tourists with disabilities visit Nepal every year," said President of the National Federation of the Disabled–Nepal, Mitra Lal Sharma. "With improved facilities and conditions that are more disability-friendly, the number could easily go up to over 10,000 tourists a year."    
President of Hotel Association of Nepal, Shreejana Rana, observed, "Although accessible tourism is relatively new in Nepal, we are confident that with adequate support, we can push ourselves to explore and attract this growing segment of tourists to our country."    
The study recommends the government, the private sector, and donor agencies to work together to create a conducive environment by incorporating universal accessibility practices into relevant legal and policy provisions, with the involvement of persons with disabilities.