More than 30 differently-abled persons came on board a houseboat moored at the Finishing Point jetty in Alappuzha on Monday, scripting a new chapter in the history of Indian tourism.

The cruise was arranged by Specialcare Holidays, promoted by Simon George, himself wheelchair-bound for nearly 30 years. Those on board the first trip included 12 people on wheelchairs, six vision-impaired and more than 20 people faced with various other physical challenges.

Among them were cine star Aleppy Sudarsan, vision-impaired singer Reema Joy and eight wheelchair-bound inmates of Swasraya Training and Rehabilitation Centre, Mulamthuruthy.

Specialcare Holidays was launched last week in Kerala, one of the the most sought-after destinations, purportedly as the first holiday company for differently-abled persons. Simon George, Founder and Managing Director, had said that the launch was a dream come true after a sustained campaign for the cause of accessible tourism since 2004.

“A state with tourism contributing around 12 per cent to its GDP has not been able to cater to the differently-abled visitors,” he said.

Accessible tourism starts with provision of accessible vehicles, trained coordinators and tour guides, doctors and nursing staff, and equipment, including ramps, automated ramps, wheelchairs, lifts-onto-vehicles, accessible washrooms and toilets.

Braille and sign language-scripted materials and equipment for the blind and hearing impaired too must be provided for at all airports, bus stations, hotels and at tourist destinations, George said.

Specialcare Holidays also provides consultancy and project management services to stakeholders. It plans to open a full-fledged office in Delhi and take up assignments from abroad. “We would focus both on inbound and outbound tours with need for special care taken care of,” George said. Bookings can be done at 81296-01425 or 62821-22596.

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