Summary
* TANAPA, through Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) has been hosting people with disabilities from abroad who climb Mount Kilimanjaro
* To give the physically handicapped access to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, TANAPA introduced a trek itinerary for wheelchairs, a procedure which is different from those which are meant for normal trekkers.
KILIMANJARO: TO promote inclusive tourism in Tanzania, the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) has embarked on a robust initiative to ensure the physically challenged tourists are fully participating in the sector.
The program works to promote domestic tourism among people with disabilities, reflecting TANAPA’s broader efforts to boost the country’s tourism sector and make national parks more inclusive.
The patriotic development in Tanzania’s leading leisure-economic sector has been disclosed by the Senior Conservation Commissioner (Tourism) at Kilimanjaro National Park, Mr. Vitus Mgaya.
He revealed this during a flag-off ceremony for Mr. Deogratias Chami, a paraplegic climber who ascended Mount Kilimanjaro to campaign for the full inclusion of people living with disabilities in the tourism sector value chain.
“Building on these achievements, we are promoting domestic tourism for people with disabilities, as they too have the opportunity to travel like others,” said Vitus Mgaya.
He added, to give the physically handicapped access to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, TANAPA introduced a trek itinerary for wheelchairs, a procedure which is different from those which are meant for normal trekkers.
According to him, TANAPA, through Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) has been hosting people with disabilities from abroad who climb Mount Kilimanjaro, noting it is encouraging that Tanzanians with disabilities are now also attempting the climb with support from local trekking companies.
The Founder and Director of Kilimanjaro Disability Royal Tour and Safaris Company, Mr Deogratius Chami said his climb aims to show that people with disabilities can contribute to tourism.
He expressed that the initiative, under the Kili4Inclusion programme, seeks to introduce PLWDs to the sector and unlock their potential to enhance it.
Mr Chami added that his climb aimed to show that people with disabilities can contribute to the tourism sector.
He thanked Bishop Dr Frederick Shoo for his full support through a special committee he led, which helped ensure the success of the Mount Kilimanjaro climb.
For her part, the African Scenic Safaris General Manager Ms. Mary Njuguna said the company took the responsibility of making sure that Chami’s trekking safari became successful.
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