Hotels, guest houses and villas may soon be required to ensure their properties are fully accessible for persons with disabilities, Minister of Tourism Kerrie Symmonds hinted on Wednesday, reports Barbados Today
The Tourism Minister told at the fourth Caribbean International Tourism Conference at the University of the West Indies (UWI)(UWI) School for Graduate Studies and Research, the room of local and visiting researchers and other industry executives that the ‘share economy’ will play a critical role in the industry’s development, likely requiring common standards for accessibility for persons with disabilities.
“That is the discussions I think we have to have in this region and certainly we will have it in Barbados if I have anything to do with it, because I am concerned I can see a villa with seven or eight rooms on the west coast marketing itself as a shared economy but it is all upstairs.
“If you have eight or so rooms what accommodation are you making for persons with disabilities if this thing is all multistorey?
“So the question must be asked, not only at that level but ordinary hotels, and I know I am going to hear ‘but minister, it is very costly’, but you have to put in the threshold, and it may well be that for the future greenfield investment in accommodation, make some provision for persons who are disabled.” said Minister of Tourism Kerrie Symmonds
