Accessible Everything

January 2009
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ASTA India Chapter Presents a Seminar Series on “Inclusive Travel”

By Craig Grimes

The brainchild of Jani Nayar from Society of Accessible Tourism and Hospitality (SATH) combined with the support and organisational skills of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) India Chapter, we undertook a series of 4 seminars in New Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin and Chennai. Other supporters of the seminars also contributed in other ways such as the Seminar Partners; Indian Ministry of Tourism, Incredible India and AccessibleBarcelona, the host venues; New Delhi - Crowne Plaza, Mumbai - Mayfair Banquets, Cochin - CGH Earth and Chennai - Park Hotel. There were also Event Partners such as Air India, Jet Airways and Taj Palace Hotels.

The seminars were aimed at travel professionals such as travel agents, tour operators, venue directors, tour guides, transport companies and hotel management and staff as well as local Disabled People’s Organisations who also took the stand to give their views of the current situation and how the future of inclusive tourism should look. The seminars themselves were delivered by myself, Dr. Scott Rains of the Rolling Rains Report and Dr. Jani Nayar from SATH. They were designed to be an introduction to both disability awareness and also Inclusive Travel for people with disabilities. For more information about the seminar agenda please see Scott’s Blog.

All in all we had a very good turn out from the travel industry and a big thanks must go out to ASTA for all their hard work in getting people there. The work will now continue with planning for the future and working hand in hand with local disabled people’s organisations. I’ll be updating you on this periodically as things progress.