South Korea’s tourism model could benefit Nepal’s travelers
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Sarita Lamichhane, a visually impaired Nepali participant in a UN training program, traveled to South Korea in September 2026 to study how Seoul supports disabled tourists.
She observed that Seoul prioritizes accessibility as a professional service through the Seoul Danurim Accessible Tourism Center, which provides information, accessible vehicles, assistive devices, and specialized tour guides. Lamichhane noted the importance of trained guides who can communicate information effectively to visually impaired visitors, going beyond simply providing physical assistance.
Nepal currently has tourism resources but lacks a comprehensive system to support disabled travelers. Lamichhane argues that Nepal should move beyond focusing solely on physical accessibility, like ramps and accessible toilets, and prioritize training tourism staff to provide effective communication and support. She emphasizes that accessibility should be viewed as a profession and a source of employment, not just a courtesy.
Lamichhane proposes a five-step plan for Nepal, including piloting accessibility initiatives in major destinations, training staff, publishing reliable access information, hiring disabled workers, and including them in tourism planning. She believes Nepal can learn from South Korea’s example of integrating accessibility into its broader tourism system and ensuring that disabled people can participate fully in all aspects of travel and the tourism industry.
