ICAT 2007 presentation: Working Towards Tourism for All: Accessible Tourism as A Means of Economic and Social Development by Ryuji Yamakawa

1. 1
International Conference for Accessible
Tourism
22-24 November 2007
Bangkok
Working Towards Tourism for All: Accessible Tourism as A Means of Economic and Social Development
Ryuji Yamakawa
UNESCAP

2. 2
Tourism Performance
•Growth of tourism 1950-2006
•10% of global GDP and 8% of employment estimated by WTTC.
Year
International tourist arrivals
Receipts
1950
25.3 million
$US2.1 billion
2000
681 million
$US479 billion
2006
848 million
$US733 billion

3. 3
Tourism in Asia-Pacific Region
In the Year 2006
•The international tourist arrivals increased by 7.8% amounting to 167.4 million.
•Tourist receipts increased by 9.4%
•Asia-Pacific gained an additional $US19 billion amounting to a total of $US153 billion.

4. 4
Tourism in Asia-Pacific Region (Cont’d)
•Tourism in Asia-Pacific has great potential for further expansion.
ƒImproved air linkage and transportation networks.
ƒEmerging markets –China, India, Russia.
ƒSimplified procedures for visa issuance.
ƒStrong subregional cooperation in tourism.

5. 5
Accessible Tourism Expands Tourism Market
•People with disabilities.
•Senior people
ƒBaby boomers are reaching retirement age.
ƒ14% of ESCAP region’s population will be 60 years or older by 2015.
•Families with young children.

6. 6
Disability and Tourism
Outside of the
region
Within the region
Million Million
USA 52.7 Australia 3.6
Canada 4.7 New Zealand 0.7
UK 10.8 China 62.0
Germany 14.2 India 20.0
France 9.0 Thailand 0.5
Pakistan 4.0

7. 7
Contribution of Accessible Tourism to Socio-economic Development
”Foreign exchange earning.
”Expand job opportunities.
”Create business opportunities for small-and medium- sized enterprises.
”Spread development to regions that may not have benefited from other types of economic development.
”Contribute to poverty reduction.
”Provide a direct incentive to protect the environment and cultural heritage.
”Promote understanding between peoples of different nations thus contributing to world peace.

8. 8
Lao PDR
Tourist Arrivals and Revenue, 1990-2006
Year
Number of Tourist Arrivals
Revenue from Tourism (Dollars)
1990
14,400
N.A.
1993
102,946
6,280,000
2006
1,215,106
173,249,896

9. 9
Tourism in Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Revenue and rank of various Lao industries
(revenue in $US million)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Revenue Rank Revenue Rank Revenue Rank Revenue Rank Revenue Rank
Tourism 113.
8
1 113.
4
1 87.3 2 118.
9
1 146.
7
1
Garments 100.
1
2 99.9 2 87.1 3 99.1 2 107.
5
3
Electricity
`
91.3 3 92.7 3 97.3 1 86.2 3 94.6 4
Wood
Products
80.2 4 77.8 4 69.9 4 72.4 4 74.0 5
Coffee 15.3 5 9.8 7 10.9 9 13.0 8 9.5 8
Agricultur
al
Products
5.7 6 25.6 5 11.1 8 20.5 6 26.6 6
Minerals 4.9 7 3.9 8 46.5 5 67.4 5 128.
3
2
Handicraft
s
3.8 8 2.7 9 12.4 7 1.9 9 2.7 9
Other
Industries
- - 19.9 6 17.1 6 13.4 7 11.9 7

10. 10
How Tourism Helps the Poor
•Employment of the poor in tourism enterprises.
•Supply of goods and services to tourism enterprises by the poor.
•Direct sales of goods and services to visitors by the poor.
•Establishment and running of tourism enterprises by the poor.
•Investment in infrastructure stimulated by tourism also benefiting the poor.
•Tax or levy on tourism income or profits with proceeds benefiting the poor.

11. 11
Maldives –Example of
Contribution to Social Development
”Tourism contributes about 30% to GDP.
”Tourism –major source of foreign exchange earnings and tax revenue.
”100% of population are literate.
Infant mortality
Life expectancy at birth
1977
121 per 1000
47 years
2004
38 per 1000
67 years

12. 12
Travel by People with Disabilities
”People with disabilities have a right to, do want to enjoy travel. Their travel experiences are still characterized by
Transportation constraints.
Inaccessible accommodation/tourism sites.
Inadequate customer services.
”Most tourism providers have still not yet recognized the importance of taking action to make tourism barrier-free.

13. 13
Satisfaction with TravelDissatisfied 50.20% Satisfied 25.50% Very dissatisfied 24.20%

14. 14
Issues
VA lack of national level mechanisms involving all stakeholders to make tourism barrier-free.
VInadequate regulatory framework to improve facilities for people with disabilities.
VA lack of research and statistical data related to accessible tourism.
VPoor information dissemination.
VNeed to strengthen education and training on awareness and sensitivity to disability issues.

15. 15
Actions Towards Tourism for All
Government/tourism industry/NGO should be proactive in removing the disability barriers faced by travellers with disabilities.
VTourism master plans should incorporate the principle of universal access to tourism infrastructure, products and services.
VConduct market research on disabled travellers.
VIntroduce accessibility as a criterion in the ranking of hotels and restaurants.
VAnnual awards for accessible tourism.
VCreate a national committee for barrier-free tourism.

16. 16
National Committee for
Accessible Tourism
Ministry of Tourism
Tourism Promotion Board
Ministry Responsible for Social Development
Ministry of Transportation
Air, land and water transport authorities
Association of travel agents
Hotels association
Restaurants association
Organizations representing people with disabilities
Tourism education and training institutes
Participating organizations will establish a special unit (or a focal point) on accessible tourism.

17. 17
Objective: Coordinate the effective implementation
of measures to promote access tourism.
Tasks
Review existing regulations, facilities and practices related to travellers with disabilities and request relevant authorities to take appropriate actions for the improvement, and monitor progress.

18. 18
Tasks (cont’d)
Collect data/undertaken research related to travellers with disabilities.
Organize training to enhance understanding about the accessible tourism.

19. 19
ESCAP PLAN OF ACTION FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, PHASE II (2006-2012)
Facilitation of travel and development
of transport and other tourism tourism-related
infrastructure
Through the joint efforts of the Government, the private sector and non- governmental organizations, specific measures should be taken to facilitate travel for people with disabilities.

20. 20
Thank You