Hotels in Jamaica to be adapted for tourists with special needs

Hotels in Jamaica to be adapted for tourists with special needs

 

Image: Jamaica island, sea, palm trees, house

 

Tourism minister of Jamaica Edmund Bartlett has encouraged hoteliers to tap into the niche market of special needs tourism and provide services to members of the disabled community. He pointed out that the Ministry of Tourism has been pushing special needs tourism in Jamaica and has been having talks with these hoteliers.


“Special needs tourism is one of the new and exciting areas that have potential in Jamaica,” Bartlett said.


The minister noted that Jamaica's tourism industry is segmented, and a whole range of tourism experience exists for people with disabilities.  

He pointed out that under the Disabilities Act, 2014, hotels are required to provide facility access to people with disabilities. The Disabilities Act endorses and safeguards the rights of people with disabilities to full and equal enjoyment of privileges, interests, benefits and treatment, on an equal basis as others. 

Globally, there are one billion people living with disabilities. The United Nations World Tourism Organization states that accessibility for all to tourist facilities, products and services is a crucial part of any responsible and sustainable tourism policy.