Kerala for All: Empathy Needed for Accessible Tourism

At the Kerala for All conclave, experts highlighted empathy gaps, limited information spread, and a lack of continuous education for architects as major hurdles to universal accessibility. They stressed that while standards exist to ensure accessibility across built environments, transportation, and information systems, ground-level implementation falls short. The perception of accessibility as someone else’s problem, rather than a core design principle, remains a persistent obstacle.

Kavita Murugkar, an educator and advocate for universal design, pointed out that not only is empathy required, but there is an urgent need for better dissemination of knowledge. She warned that only a small fraction of architects recognize the obligation to integrate accessibility standards into their building designs, and that accessibility is often missing from architecture curricula, hindering mainstream adoption. She called for continuous education for architects, noting that rules and best practices evolve, requiring ongoing professional development.

Priyanjali Prabhakaran, principal investigator of Barrier Free Consultancy Cell, echoed the concerns, adding that those supervising construction projects are frequently undertrained, lacking both the technical know-how and awareness needed to avoid common errors. She urged institutionalizing ongoing training to keep professionals up to date with the latest accessibility requirements.

The session, part of the two-day Kerala for All–Tourism Without Barriers conclave, titled Accessibility First: Designing Tourism without Barriers, took place at a Grand Hyatt venue in Kochi. It spotlighted how removing barriers—physical, social, informational, and attitudinal—can enable every traveler to explore with dignity and independence. The discussion emphasized that accessibility is not merely a compliance issue but a fundamental right of all travelers.

In parallel, Kerala Tourism and government leaders underscored that making tourism more inclusive requires a shared responsibility among stakeholders. The state’s ministers underscored that travel should be safe, comfortable, and dignified for everyone, positioning accessibility as a pillar of the destination’s brand. As part of its broader strategy, the state indicated it is considering giving tourism industry activities an industrial status to unlock benefits like lower power charges and access to low-interest loans, with departments of Electricity and Finance evaluating these possibilities.

Looking ahead, the two-day conclave in Kochi, slated for January 31 and February 1, 2026, will bring together policymakers, industry players, and advocates to chart a practical path toward inclusive and accessible tourism. The overarching aim is to translate empathy and education into tangible improvements that travelers with disabilities and senior citizens can experience every day in Kerala.

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