Kerala Yet Again Shows The Way As State's Tourist Spots Set To Be 'Specially-Abled Friendly' By 2021

Taking a major step towards inclusivity the Kerala government has said that tourist destinations will be made specially-abled friendly by 2021.

Replying to a question by MLA Veena George, tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said the government has identified around 120 tourist spots across the state in the first phase. Of these, 98 destinations have already been made completely specially-abled?friendly, he said adding that work on the remaining centres was in progress.

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The specially-abled?friendly tourist spots will have special parking areas and toilet facilities.?

Besides this, special tourism packages for the specially-abled?were also being implemented under the Responsible Tourism initiative, the minister added.

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According to the state tourism department, accessible ramps, special toilets, wheelchairs, walking sticks, folding walkers, crutches, special signages, tactile walkways, touch screen kiosks, Braille brochures, and audio guides were some of the features provided at the specially-abled friendly destinations.

Kerala is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the country, both by foreign and domestic travellers.

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Over 16.7 million tourists visited Kerala in 2018 bringing in total revenue of Rs 36,528.01 crore from the tourism sector last year.

Steps like becoming specially-abled?friendly could attract more tourists to the state which is often referred to as 'God's own country'.