Lok Sabha Question No. 1461 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-05
Subject: Facilities for Differently-abled Tourist
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1461 ANSWERED ON 05.03.2018

## FACILITIES FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED TOURISTS

## 1461. SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- whether  the  Government  undertook/proposes  to  undertake  a study  of  various  set  of  challenges  faced  by  differently-abled tourists in the country, and if so, the detailed findings of the
- (a) study;
- (b) whether the government has issued guidelines with respect to improving  accessibility  in  favour  of  differently-abled  tourists especially in prominent destinations of the country; and
- (c) if so, the details along with the compliance status thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

(SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a): Yes. The Ministry of Tourism conducted a study on 'Problems and Prospects of Accessible Tourism in India' in the year 2010.

According to the report, differently-abled tourists have to face many barriers at the time of booking and during the travel. Some of them are as below:

- i. Poor understanding of their specific problem and requirement by the booking staff.
2. ii.
3. Lack of accessible taxis and local transport facilities.
- iii. Lack  of  proper  information  and  signages  at  necessary point and intersection.
5. iv.
6. Lack of affordable and accessible accommodation.
- v. Lack of accessible public conveniences at destination.

## (b) & (c): The steps taken by the Ministry of Tourism to make tourist destinations friendlier for the differently abled are as below:

- (i) While  submitting  Detailed  Project  Report  of  a  project  under Swadesh Darshan or PRASHAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) Schemes  of the Ministry, State Government/Union Territory  Administration  has  to  submit  an  undertaking  in  the specified  format  stating  that  'barrier  free  environment  for differently abled tourists has been incorporated in the design of  the  built  up  areas  of  the  project'.  In  addition  to  this,  it  is also specifically mentioned in the sanction order of the project that  'the  executing  agency  shall  put  in  place  the  mandatory facilities for barrier free access by physically disabled persons'.
- (ii) A category of National Tourism Award of 'Best Maintained and Disabled Friendly Monument' is in existence to encourage the agencies responsible for maintaining monuments/tourist attractions to create barrierfree environment for the promotion of accessible tourism.
- (iii) The  guidelines  for  classification/re  -  classification  of  Hotels issued  by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  have  provisions  for  the following:
-  Specially designed dedicated room with accessible bathroom  &  specially  designed  furniture  like  almirah, audible & visible alarm system and doorbell.
-  Accessible  public  restrooms  and  Ramps  with  anti-slip floors to allow wheel chair access to public areas and at least one restaurant.

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