The conference aims to promote accessible tourism for the differently-abled and people with physical challenges who are facing challenges with regard to inaccessible travel,tourism facilities and services.

The three-day event is expected to see more than 200 delegates including representatives from various global communities of the disabled groups.

This conference is part of global efforts to ensure tourist destinations, and related products and services to all sections of the people.

“The objective of the conference is to spread the message that Nepal is accessible to all people, regardless of physical limitations, disabilities or age,” says Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board.

US-based International Development Institute is organizing the conference.

Proper Infrastructure Need of The Hour

According to Joshi, accessible tourism is a huge market that has remained untapped and Nepal needs proper infrastructure to tap the full potential of the accessible tourism market.

“It’s difficult to find a place in Nepal for differently-abled people as Nepal tourism industry has not realized the potential. However, things can be changed if the potential of accessible tourism is realized,” says double amputee Hari Budha Magar, one of the key speakers at the conference.

Stating that Nepal has players who can afford accessibility, Joshi said, “We are also inviting the mayors of key metropolitan cities and municipalities for the conference.”

Untapped Industry

While there are over a billion with disabilities globally, 88 percent of people with a disability go on for a holiday every year and 50 percent travel more if suitable facilities were made available to them at their travel destinations.

Country-wise, the US accessible tourism market is measured at USD 17.3 billion in terms of annual spending, while it is USD 8 billion per year in Australia, and 12 percent of the European market is dedicated to people with disabilities. 

According to the Division for Social Policy and Development under the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, the accessible tourism industry, besides benefiting tourism, holds a great potential and can leave a larger impact on the social and economic values of the society.

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Fighting back the physical disability, a British Gurkha soldier Hari Budha Magar has set a new record on September 19, 2017, by reaching Nepal’s 6,476 meter-long Mera Peak, that too in the Autumn climbing season.

“Budha Magar, the resident of Rolpa District, has become the first double above-knee amputee to climb the country’s highest trekking peak in the autumn season,” read an official statement by the expedition organizer.

According to the organizer, this achievement of Budha Magar was part of his training aimed at attempting climb Mt Everest in Spring 2018.

“Life is all about adaptation,” Budha Magar said in response to his achievement. He further informed that all the five members who joined him in the expedition also reached the peak.

The United Kingdom and Nepal based Himalayan Ski & Treks, and US-based Myrmidon Expeditions supported this expedition organized by the Conquering Dreams Mera Peak Expedition.

The owner of Himalayan Ski Trek, Krishna Thapa Magar hailed Budha Magar for being the first double amputee above the knee who made it to the summit till date.

As per the Nepal Mountaineering Association, Mera peak is the highest peak permitted for trekking in Nepal.

According to Thapa Magar, Budha had to bear the majority of his expedition expenses as no corporate sponsors or donors came forward doubting his abilities.

Meanwhile, Lead climbing Sherpa Mingma David informed that Budha Magar would also be the first bilateral, above-knee amputee to attempt to Mt Everest for an expedition in Spring 2018.

Hari Budha Magar served in the British Army for 15 years and was later discharged from the rank of Corporal on medical grounds in 2014 after he suffered injuries while serving in Afghanistan in 2010, where he lost both the legs below the knees.

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