Zimbabwe Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Anastancia Ndhlovu, has called on the tourism industry to make their facilities universally accessible.

She said the provision of safe, convenient, economical and accessible transport and other tourism-related infrastructure “is a key factor for the success of tourism”.

Ndhlovu said, in line with this year’s UNWTO Tourism Day theme, that her ministry would focus on people with disabilities and was mainstreaming disability issues as an integral part of strategies of sustainable development.  

She challenged tourism players in the country to recognise the rights of disabled people to access tourism services and opportunities. Key focus areas she highlighted included the provision of accessible facilities, training staff, providing reliable information and ensuring marketing was inclusive.

The Deputy Minister said all accommodation facilities, including hotels and lodges, should have ramps enabling access, according to the Constitution.

“It [The Constitution] also provides that all hotels with three-star grading and above must have at least two rooms for people with disabilities, while those with two stars and below should have at least one such room,” Ndhlovu said.

As part of the plans to introduce the law for people living with disabilities, the tourism industry undertook a tour of hotels to assess progress on universal accessibility. Ndhlovu said the tour was also an opportunity to exchange ideas on how to formulate relevant strategies.

She highlighted the economic incentive for the industry to cater for the people with disabilities market. “Infrastructure that does not cater adequately for the needs of people with disabilities, including infants and the elderly, excludes many destinations from this promising market.”