October 01, 2007
International Conferences on Accessible Tourism
Disabled People's International in Thailand has published the revised schedule for the 2007 International Conference on Accessible Tourism. It will be held in Bangkok November 22-24.
The conference description below itemizes the emergence of a strong policy framework to undergirds this regional movement for Inclusive Tourism. It is a sign of transition into a new phase of maturity of the market that the Thai government, UNESCAP, and industry are collaborating on this event. Organizers hope to continue the momentum with emphasis on a rights-bsaed approach to disability issues.
It is also a reminder that we have a little farther to go in inter-regional coordination -- that we scheduled ICAT 2007 in Thailand at the same time that ENAT scheduled the 
European Congress on Inclusive Tourism in Valencia, Spain! Wouldn't it be nice if the real reason for the calendaring pileup were that there was now such a groundswell of interest in the topic that the collision was unavoidable?
We will organize the [ICAT 2007] Conference along with the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, UNESCAP and Disabled Peoples’ International Asia Pacific (DPI-AP). The Conference aims at the promotion of accessible tourism in the region as a way to enhance the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights –based Society for Persons with Disabilities (BMF), Biwako Plus Five and the Plan of Action for Sustainable Tourism Development in Asia and the Pacific (phase II 2006-2012) focusing on access to built environments and public transport and training and employment including self-employment.
Besides, tourism is often considered as a valuable alternative for diversifying the economy in the areas dependent on only one maritime activity (e.g. fisheries). Quality tourism can contribute to the development of coastal areas by improving the competitiveness of businesses, meeting social needs and preserving the natural and cultural heritage. However, to be simultaneously successful in all these areas at the level of the tourist destination requires a global approach, called Integrated Quality Management [IQM], focused on tourist satisfaction and based on the principle of sustainable development. Tourism clearly requires not only an attractive environment but also its accessibility.Furthermore, barrier free tourism is also alternative choices for elderly and persons with disabilities travelers that the numbers of them gradually increasing. However, those travelers face man barriers for traveling planning information such as accessible accommodation, transportation barriers and any kinds of discrimination e.g. Disability Travel on the Rise Despite Barrier to Access research found that numbers of American travelers with disabilities have been increasing 50 percent since year 2005. The numbers of European travelers with disabilities increase to 134-267.9 million. UN survey also found that by year 2050, the numbers of ageing population will rise to 2,000 million and 54 percent of them live in Asia region.
The Conference objectives are to contribute to processes of change and development lines of tourism businesses to ensuring a favorable environment for attracting tourists and travelers with disabilities and retired, ageing people toward the implementation tourism sustainability initiatives, dissemination recommendations about Promoting Sustainable Tourism towards an Inclusive, Barrier-Free and Rights-Based Society.
Disabled Peoples’ International Asia Pacific region (DPI-AP)
Co-Organizers
More information:
http://www.dpiap.org/news/2006/icat.html#invitation
Integrated Quality Management (IQM)
http://www.irs.aber.ac.uk/rsw/integrated_quality_management.htm
Principle #7 of Integrated Quality Management: Inclusivity
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/travel_with_disabilities/115176