Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is in the process of drafting the National Tourism Policy 2020-2050 which include accessible tourism, the Dewan Negara was told yesterday.
Its Deputy Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said the policy would provide a clear set of strategic directions and aim to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a world tourism destination.
“This policy will be more holistic, comprehensive and based on the global tourism industry trends covering various aspects and tourism sub-sectors, including accessible tourism,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara sitting.
He was replying to the question from Senator Bathmavathi Krishnan who wanted to know the steps taken by the ministry to ensure that accessible tourism was looked into in terms of disabled-friendly accommodation and meeting the universal design standard.
Muhammad Bakhtiar further said the ministry was committed to ensuring that all categories of tourists could visit Malaysia safely and comfortably in accordance with the principle of Tourism For All–Promoting Universal Accessibility by United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
He added that among the measures taken was to set criteria under the Malaysian Criteria for Classification of Tourist Accommodation Premises that at least one room equipped with facilities for the disabled should be provided by the accommodation premises under the OKU Act 2007.
“In addition to that, there is a standard setting for each tourism infrastructure and facility development where it is required to comply with Malaysian Standard MS1184 – Universal Design and Accessibility in the Build of Environment. The equipment needed to be installed in each tourism project includes ramps, handrails, accessible parking, signboards and accessible toilets,” he said. — Bernama