Kerala becomes the first state to become elderly and disabled friendly

Kerala has become the first state in India to become elderly and disabled-friendly by putting in place all the basic infrastructure and facilities at tourism centres; thereby, also setting an example for other states to take cues from. The move was recently announced by the Minister for Tourism Kadakampally Surendran.

The project called ‘Barrier-free Kerala Tourism Project’ has completed the first phase, with around 70 spots turning elderly and disabled-friendly. With this, Kerala has also become the first state in the country to implement UN World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) call for ‘Tourism for All’.
The minister, referring to this development, said that so far more than 100 tourism centres have been equipped with amenities to support the differently abled, as it has been the objective of the Tourism Directorate to ensure all tourism centres become disabled-friendly. Those facilities will also have wheelchairs, ramps and toilets now.

Further, special tour packages are also being planned together with Responsible Tourism Mission for differently abled visitors, comprising both foreign and domestic visitors.

Last year, Kerala was reeling under the pressure of flood disaster; despite that, Kerala Tourism touched new heights in 2018. Now, the department is hoping to promote tourism and boost the arrival of both domestic and foreign tourists to the state. As per an official in the know-how, the tourism department is aiming to achieve new heights by 2020 as per its new policy.
The official also informed that as per the said policy, they are hoping for a record growth of 50 per cent in domestic tourist arrival and 100 per cent in foreign tourist arrival. He also said that the Champions Boat League will be one of the prime attractions of the state this year.