Rural Tourism for All; Opportunities, Experiences and Examples

Abstract

Travel and recognize the natural landscape features of different geographies and cultures are all human right in tourism. Nowadays with the increase in number of individuals traveling around the world, there are rising statistics of disabled and elderly people in the population who are traveling or experiencing different geographies. Research results also show that 70% of the world's population with disabilities travels. It is accepted that tourism is an important market in terms of disability population travels. During this the disabled trip which has an important role in this market, there are difficulties in terms of service, access of requirements and information, accommodation, transportation. "Rural Tourism for All", "Accessible Tourism" or "Barrier Free Tourism" is a form of tourism refers to a design concept that offers safe environment to all individuals according to the universal design rules including not only for disabled people, but also temporarily disabled (pregnant etc.),elderly individuals, and families with children, and also employees in tourism sectors. In this context, the paper explains the aim of minimizing the difficulties encountered by disabled and elderly individuals in their rural tourism experiences and the appropriate examples and experiences on design and planning. Study explores the examples of arrangements and practices that will make it possible for everyone in the world and in our country, especially in the areas of nature tourism such as nature parks, national parks, ecotourism, and culture tourism within the scope of rural tourism. As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Turkey has to develop tourism
policies and practices for all. In this context, the studies also find out a different perspective for our country.