Stakeholders call for barrier-free infrastructure, inclusive transport and universal design to position Jammu & Kashmir as an accessible tourism destination
Inayat Qayoom
Srinagar, Aug 3:
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), under its Towards Accessible India initiative, on Monday organised a consultative roundtable on Inclusive Tourism and Hospitality in Srinagar, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, accessibility experts, entrepreneurs and disability advocates to discuss measures for advancing accessible tourism in Jammu & Kashmir.
The roundtable, supported by Svayam, focused on developing barrier-free tourism infrastructure, inclusive transport systems, digital accessibility, universal design, capacity building for frontline staff and policy interventions aimed at making tourism more accessible for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and other travellers with special needs.
Welcoming the participants, CII Jammu & Kashmir Chairman and Shafiee Healthcare Managing Director Iqram Shafiee stressed the need for collaboration between the government, industry and civil society to create inclusive tourism destinations. He said investments in accessibility not only improve visitor experience but also generate wider economic opportunities and promote community development.
Chairperson of the CII National Committee on Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the India Business and Disability Network (IBDN), Sminu Jindal, said accessibility should be viewed as a strategic business priority rather than merely a compliance requirement. She highlighted the importance of universal design in strengthening India’s position as an inclusive global tourism destination.
Former Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Jammu & Kashmir, Mohd Iqbal Lone, underscored the need for enabling policies, institutional support and coordinated efforts among stakeholders to ensure equal access and meaningful participation for persons with disabilities.
The event also showcased innovative accessibility solutions and assistive technologies, with presentations by the Association of People with Disabilities (APD), Grailmaker Innovations and Wheel Ease Private Limited, demonstrating practical models for improving accessibility in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Regional Transport Officer Qazi Irfan (JKAS) advocated incentives for tour operators adopting accessible practices, while Gulmarg MLA Farooq Ahmad Shah called for integrating accessibility into tourism planning to make Jammu & Kashmir a truly inclusive destination.
The roundtable concluded with CII reaffirming its commitment to working with governments, industry and other stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of accessibility standards and promote inclusive practices across the tourism sector.SNS