Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has been celebrating the World Tourism Day on September 27. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism. http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/odisha-tourist-sites-yet-to-be-barrier-free-for-disabled.html The purpose of the day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.
Universal Access in Tourism (UAT) responds to Article 2.2 of the UNWTO’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism which states: “Tourism activities should respect the equality of men and women in that they should promote human rights and, more particularly, the individual rights of the most vulnerable groups, notably children, the elderly, the handicapped, ethnic minorities and indigenous people.” The celebration of the World Tourism Day 2016 under the theme “Tourism for All-Promoting universal accessibility” comes at an encouraging time for international tourism as more political decision makers and the tourism industry are advocating for tourism for all, a tourism which can be enjoyed equally by everybody, regardless of one’s abilities. The event seeks to address global challenges outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to highlight the contribution the tourism sector can make in reaching these goals. The World Health Organisation (WHO) in a 2011 study estimated that 15.3 per cent of the world’s population deals with some or the other kind of disability. In India, the disabled population has increased by 22.4 per cent between 2001 and 2011. The number of disabled, which was 2.19 crore in 2001, rose in 2011 to 2.68 crore. As per the 2001 Census, there were 10, 21,335 disabled persons in Odisha. As per the 2011 Census, the total disabled population is 12, 44,402, registering a growth of 21.84 per cent during the decade. The percentage of the State’s disabled population to total population has increased from 2.78 in the 2001 Census to 2.96 in the 2011 Census. Disabled people face many obstacles in their day- to-day activities in public places and especially in tourist destinations. India has 32 UNESCO recognised World Heritage Sites (WHS), which generate important revenues due to the large numbers of both domestic and international tourists. The accessibility improvements have been taken up at four sites, namely Qutub Minar (New Delhi), Red Fort (New Delhi), Fatehpur Sikri Group of Monuments (Agra), and Taj Mahal (Agra), all under the control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The accessibility challenges include multi-plinth levels within monuments and stepped access to reach important areas of tourist interest. The main partners of the initiative were the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) - the implementing and controlling agency of Government of India, Svayam - a civil society organisation that conducted access audits and advised the ASI on access improvements, as well as user groups, experts and NGOs who provided feedback on the access improvements. The Qutb Minar, Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri monuments have won the most accessible/best maintained monuments awards from the Ministry of Tourism, highlighting the success of the access improvement projects. The access improvements on the selected four WHS have not only made it possible for the local and international tourists with some form of disability to visit the heritage sites with dignity and comfort, but have also contributed to increasing visitor numbers, thus enhancing revenue for ASI and protecting the monuments. Tourism in Odisha boasts of numerous religious sites, beautiful beaches, forests and wild life. Odisha is the place of all year tourism sector based on the pilgrimage, nature tourism and the leisure tourism. The variety of places includes magnificent temples, beaches, dense forests and wildlife. Odisha boasts of a distinctive and rich cultural heritage. Due to a large number of temples, this holy place is flocked round the year by the pilgrims. The best known of these are the Lingaraja temple at Bhubaneshwar, Jagannath Temple at Puri and the Sun Temple at Konark. Odisha is also well known as a Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage destination. Wild life in Odisha is an integral part of its tourism. The Simlipal National Park, the centre of Mayurbhanj district in the north-eastern part of Odisha, is surrounded by deciduous trees and sal forests. The Chilka wildlife sanctuary, located in the south west part of Puri, is one of the most visited wildlife sanctuaries. The sanctuary is home to various migratory and local birds. The Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most distinguished sanctuaries in Odisha. It is well known for its crocodiles and turtles. The sanctuary has a dense mangrove forest which is dwelling place for a number of endangered and migratory birds Odisha is well connected by air, road and railways. The roads within the State are in good condition and transportations are also easily available. As a result the tourists will have no trouble in travelling in and around the State. However, for the disabled it is not possible to visit the tourist sites. This is because there are lack of accessible airport transfer, lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, inaccessible streets and sidewalks and lack of technical aids and disability equipment. However, recent years have been witness to many proactive actions from various agencies, both Government and non-Government, aimed at creating a better living environment for persons with disabilities. The Odisha Government has enacted Persons with Disabilities (Equal opportunities, Protection of right and full participation) Odisha Rules, 2003. It enjoins upon the Government and local authorities to ensure within their economic capacity, provision for installation of auditory signals in the public roads for the benefit of persons with visual handicaps, kerbs and slopes to be made in pavements for the easy access of wheel chair users and devising appropriate symbols of disability at appropriate places. So there is an urgent need to create awareness programme for barrier-free tourist destinations in the State. These sites have to be designed with regard to the specific requirements of each individual site and should include ramps, handrails, accessible toilets and accessible signage. Everyone should have the right to travel. However poor infrastructure in many tourist points creates a barrier for many aged and disabled people to access and visit tourist sites. A number of temples are not accessible as the temples are provided with steps. This creates obstacles for the disabled to reach the area. (Dr Praharaj is faculty member in Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar) -- Avinash Shahi Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
