Fiji caters for tourists with mobility challenges

SUVA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's tourism industry is introducing specialized equipment to make the country's beaches and ocean experiences more accessible to visitors with mobility challenges.

Tony Whitton, managing director of Rosie Travel Group, said the industry now has specialized beach access mats and carbon-fiber wheelchairs that can be used in the ocean, reported the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation news website on Thursday.

Photo taken on April 3, 2022 shows a beach in Suva, Fiji. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)

The equipment has enabled people with mobility challenges to access destinations such as the Mamanuca sandbanks and participate in ocean experiences, according to Whitton.

"This accessibility and mobility segment is just as important as any other tourism segment, and it must be serviced with thoughtfulness and dignity," he said.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts within Fiji's tourism sector to improve experiences for travelers with disabilities and make the country's natural attractions more inclusive.

Improved access to beaches and marine activities could allow more visitors with disabilities to participate in experiences that are central to Fiji's tourism appeal, while encouraging tourism businesses to consider accessibility in the design and delivery of their services, the report said.