Priority goes for adapting Fars historical sites to accessible tourism for people with disabilities

Priority goes for adapting Fars historical sites to accessible tourism for people with disabilities

TEHRAN -- Physically adapting historical and tourist sites, observing accessibility standards, and strengthening the cultural activities related to the disabled community are among the main priorities of Fars Cultural Heritage Department.

In a meeting with the manager of the Pars Cultural, Sports, and Tourism Association for the Disabled in the Southern Region Saeed Fani on Tuesday, Head of Fars Cultural Heritage Department Behzad Moridi emphasized the development of infrastructure, improving accessibility standards, and expanding tourism programs specifically for people with disabilities.

According to ILNA, Moridi pointed to the importance of accessible tourism and said that in the field of infrastructure, assessing the accessibility of historical and tourist sites, improving traffic routes, improving service spaces, and strengthening the equipment needed in accommodation and tourism complexes are on the agenda with the aim of improving their level of readiness to provide appropriate services to the disabled people.

Emphasizing that tourism infrastructure should be designed and implemented for all citizens, he said that people with disabilities, the elderly and other groups with disabilities should be able to benefit from the province's tourism potential without restrictions. Achieving this goal requires cooperation between government institutions, the private sector and non-governmental organizations, he added.

He clarified that a pleasant, safe and accessible space can be created for all segments of society and steps can be taken towards development of sustainable and accessible tourism through collaboration, the principled planning and implementation of scientific and international standards.

Also, Fani referred to the position of accessible tourism at the international level: “According to the announcement of UN Tourism, the concept of ‘accessible tourism’ has been recognized as ‘tourism for all’ since 2016 and governments have been obliged to provide the necessary infrastructure for the presence and benefit of people with disabilities in tourism destinations.”

He added: “Based on global statistics, between 10 and 15 percent of the population of countries is made up of people with disabilities, and paying attention to this population, in addition to the social responsibility, is considered an important economic and cultural capacity for the tourism industry.”

Referring to the activities of Fars Cultural and Tourism Association for the Disabled, Fani said: “In recent years, this association has organized special tours for people with disabilities, held meetings and training workshops for tourism activists, and consulted with the hoteliers' association, eco-tourism resorts, and accommodation centers to explain the real concepts and standards of accessibility.”

He emphasized that adaptation is not limited to creating ramps, but rather the needs of people with mobility impairments, the blind, and the deaf must be seen comprehensively; from safe traffic routes and guide signs to warning equipment and special accommodation facilities.

Fani also called for special attention to the adaptation of the historical and touristic landmarks of Fars province, including Persepolis, Pasargadae, Hafezieh, Sa’dieh, and the Zandieh Complex, adding that implementing accessibility measures in the complexes can play an important role in transforming Fars into one of the country's leading provinces in the field of accessible tourism.

Referring to the appropriate urban transportation capacities of Shiraz, he said that the availability of hundreds of adapted buses and a special fleet for transporting people with disabilities is a valuable capacity that can be used effectively in the development of accessible tourism.

At the end, both managers emphasized the continuation of interaction, official correspondence, and executive follow-ups to improve the accessibility of historical and touristic landmarks in Fars province and provide equal conditions for all citizens to participate in tourism activities.

KD

source: tehrantimes.com