Experimental implementation of “Parator” in 3 cities of the country/disabled tourism is profitable

According to the social reporter of Moj news agency, the fifth of October this year, which coincides with September 27, has been named “World Tourism Day” and the beginning of tourism week.

World Tourism Day, which is also known as World Tourism Day, is an excuse for nations around the world to become aware of the importance and impact of the large travel and tourism industry on societies, economy, culture, politics, sustainable development, etc. and pay more attention to this. have industry

Tourism is one of the most profitable industries for all countries, and if special attention is paid to it, it can bring an income equal to or even more than oil income.

Various types of tourism, including medical tourism, ecotourism, religious tourism, etc., are going on in our country, and although we are behind in this field compared to many countries in the region, we are still considered one of the most attractive countries in the world for foreign tourists.

One of the types of tourism that has received less attention in our country is “disabled tourism” or “paratur”.

In this regard, Mohammad Ismail Sheikh Qaraei, the director of Pars Cultural, Sports and Tourism Association for the Disabled, told Moj news agency: Tourism for the disabled means that people with disabilities and the elderly can travel without the need of a third party and with the availability of all facilities. Create good and cheerful for yourself.

He continued: The difference between disabled people’s tourism and other types of tourism is that this group can go for fun without the need of a third person and whenever they want, without the need of other people’s help. We introduce this topic as “Paratour”, which is on the same weight as Paralympics, Para Art, etc.

The director of Pars Cultural, Sports and Tourism Association for the Disabled stated regarding the conditions of paratours in the country: Our country has performed weaker compared to other countries due to the weakness in infrastructure, and especially compared to the Persian Gulf countries, we are far behind. However, it has been a few years since we started working and specialized associations have been created that are trying to promote this work. Our association under the title of Pars Disabled Cultural, Sports and Tourism Association has been running for almost 10 years.

Sheikh Qaraei added: About a year and a half ago, the Ministry of Heritage formed tables based on family-oriented tourism, and one of these tables is accessible tourism, and it has activities in this direction, and has created indicators and plans to give signs to To grant accessible places such as hotels and restaurants, which will help these centers in the process of issuing various licenses.

He added: It is also supposed that the routes between the roads and the toilets are also adapted, and all these tasks, review and evaluation, etc. are the responsibility of the table. I have been working as a desk secretary for a year and I supervise the work process, which according to the conditions and facilities available, the speed of this process is very high.

This is active Tourism He added: We have started these adaptations as a pilot in 3 cities, and these plans have been implemented in Yazd and Kish, and we have also started planning for Shiraz.

The director of the Pars Disabled Tourism Association stated: Municipalities and the Ministry of Heritage are working hard, and governorates also play an effective role.

Sheikh Qaraei said: European countries such as Spain, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland take the lead in tourism for the disabled, and because they have strong infrastructure for adaptation, they excel in this regard. For example, in Spain, there are many supplies and equipment for disabled tourism. In our neighborhood, the countries of Saudi Arabia, UAE and Turkey have worked very well and are advancing rapidly.

He emphasized: We should never use the word “rehabilitation” for people with disabilities, the word “people with disabilities” is communicated to us, and this is the definition of the United Nations.

Sheikh Qaraei reminded: We should introduce this type of tourism with the word “parator” because when this word is mentioned, the person in the audience realizes that he is dealing with a special group and should consider their special conditions. For example, if we call a tourist bus only a tour bus, the expectation is the same bus that is used for all tours, but if we use the word paratour, the bus must have the necessary features for people with disabilities.