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INCLUSIVE TOURISM MEANS EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO ENJOYING THIS ACTIVITY IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE WAY. IN THIS REGARD, THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IS DEVELOPING AWESOME PROJECTS

The number of families traveling with children and older adults has increased in recent years; as well as with disabled people or others with certain special needs, according to the World Tourism Organization (WTO). Given this situation, several countries have developed inclusive strategies, which provide an individualized tourism product that meets each visitor’s expectations.
Such initiatives are included in a form of tourism named Inclusive Tourism, which champions equal opportunities for people in order to carry out all the actions related to this activity in a safe, comfortable, independent, and standardized way. Inclusive tourism also seeks economical profits to the benefit of both the industry and disabled people.
The WTO has taken actions on this subject since the 1980s and such stances were registered in the resolution related to Disabled People, approved by UNGA in December 2006.
The Dominican Republic is one of those countries that shares the desire of making the milieu, products, and services offered by the entertainment industry can be enjoyed by any person, disabled or not, with equity.
Widely sought after as sun and beach destination, thanks to its potential and smart strategies, the country is acknowledged as one of the best destinations for MICE tourism in the region. The ScootersDR Project, a prominent initiative awarded with the 2018 Excelencias Award, benefitted Quisqueya, the Beautiful (http://www.premios.excelencias.com/es/premios/2018/premios-internacionales). The award was granted due to the growth of inclusive tourism in favor of vulnerable segments of society.
Certainly, the award contributed to the strengthening of ScooterDR as the enterprise with greatest growth potential in the accessibility sector. This effort couples with the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism intention of guaranteeing a diversified, inclusive, and world-class tourist attraction, which harnesses wisely the resources to become one of the best destinations.
As regards to the award, presented at FITUR 2019, Diana Toribio, ScootersDR manager, pointed out her satisfaction and gratitude. Several mass media echoed her words: “In ScootersDR, we believe tourism must offer possibilities for all. Our major goal is to maintain the ongoing growth of Inclusive Tourism in favor of vulnerable segments —namely, disabled people, older adults, and others, by offering them the possibility to travel, entertain, and enjoy boundless, risk-free tourist attractions”.
A scooter is a three or four-wheeled mini electric motorcycle, which is easy to drive and designed for disabled people so they can travel in a safe and comfortable way. It facilitates the access and freedom of movement inside hotel complexes in the country and shopping malls.
ScootersDR (https://scootersdr.com) is a registered trademark from TARGET Marketing Consultants (communication and tourism products agency). This is the first company of its kind in the country whose goal is to provide the best holidays ever.
Another praiseworthy undertaking made by the Dominican Republic is the accessible tourism guidebook, available in cellphones and devised for people with reduced movement or disabled. This copy is the first of its kind in the Caribbean region and Latin America.
The guidebook is available in print format and can be also consulted locally and internationally on its app for mobile devices (Android and IOS). The innovative guidebook collects information on the accessibility conditions of the main tourist resorts and restaurants in the country either in Santo Domingo or the rest of the nation.
Inclusive Tourism is a human right thing. And it is also a market niche. Accessibility is paramount in every policy of responsible, sustainable, and attainable tourism. Providing all visitors with the possibility of living unforgettable experiences either in the beach or a hotel, must be the commitment for all of us every day. It is all about empathy and respect. It is all about showing that happiness cannot be restricted.