"Accessible Tourism Promotes Regional Development". The First South East Asia Conference on Accessible Tourism (SEACAT 2012)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 23 to 25 November 2012.

SEACAT 2012 is humbly brought to you by Beautiful Gate Foundation, together with Malaysia Hotel Association, National Council for The Blind, and Cheshire National Council in Malaysia.

It is an event that would result in proactive and concrete action in promoting Accessible Tourism, and the establishment of an Accessible Tourism Network in South-East Asia! For more information please visit:  www.seacat.beautifulgate.org.my

Background and Objectives

Accessible Tourism for the disabled and senior tourists has been emerging in various parts of the world for at least a decade now, but the tourism industry in Malaysia and the South-East Asian region has yet to focus on this group as a market.

Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled, together with 12 disability-related organizations in Malaysia has successfully organized the first National Conference & Exhibition on Accessible Tourism last year. The event brought about a huge awareness to the public, as well as to the government and tourism industry players in Malaysia. It also resulted in the plan to organize the first South-East Asia Conference on Accessible Tourism (SEACAT 2012) on November 23-25, 2012, with the theme “Accessible Tourism Promotes Regional Development”, to be held at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

The event is supported by the European Network For Accessible Tourism, Disabled People International Asia Pacific, and sponsored by the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Department. It is the first of such a kind of event organized in the region, and is aimed to increase recognition and encourage policies and actions to promote Accessible Tourism for All.

Activities and programs of the event are carefully designed to disseminate practical knowledge and information on accessible tourism encompassing accessible touristic sights, accommodation, transportation, ICT services, provide accessible entertaining activities and related information to the participants and at the same time create awareness towards Accessible Tourism and the creation of a barrier-free society to the public.

Update 26.11.2012. Video welcome by Ivor Ambrose, Managing Director, ENAT

 

Update 29.12.2012. Download all the speeches and presentations in PDF format from the SEACAT 2012 website.

Event Highlights

An informative conference

The main highlight for this event is the two days conference by international and local speakers (http://seacat.beautifulgate.org.my/speakers/).

Each session focuses on the importance of accessibility that would help promote Accessible Tourism that could bring impact to regional economic development. Besides that it will draw attention to the PWD challenges that the countries in South-East Asia are currently facing as well as suggesting the potential of the power of accessibility in promoting accessible tourism in the region.

An interesting and informative exhibition

During the course of the event, there will be an on-going exhibition featuring the accessible tourist attractions in South-East Asia, interesting packages and facilities on Accessible Tourism. One could easily plan for an exciting and accessible tour with all the information provided.

A huge Convoy by PWDs & volunteers

Apart from the informative plenary sessions, a convoy is the next highlight. A convoy around the city center will create extensive awareness to the public. The message to be sent across to the public is more impactful and effective. By moving around the city, with the aid of volunteers, PWDs could explore the places of interest in the city, highlighting areas that could further improve to make the city a more disabled friendly place for Accessible Tourism.

An exciting City Tour

Touring the city of Kuala Lumpur could be very exciting. The tour will take the participants to explore the fascinating sights in and around the city. Enjoy visits to cultural places and cosmopolitan structures that will leave them enriched with an experience of Accessible Tour of Kuala Lumpur.

We believe that this event will raise the awareness and promote Accessible Tourism which in turn would bring about a tremendous impact to Malaysian and South East Asian Tourism and thus contribute to the development of the nation and the region.

How to register

A.   Register online at www.seacat.beautifulgate.org.my

B.   Complete the registration form and return it to the http://www.seacat.beautifulgate.org.myConference Secretariat by fax or mail with appropriate payment.

Payment

Payment of registration fees should be made in Malaysian Ringgit through the following options:

1. Bank Draft/Local Cheque (Local Malaysian cheque only)

2. Should be in MALAYSIAN RINGGIT payable to the order of “Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled”.
Bank charges incurred by the Organizer due to incorrect submission of bank drafts will be recharged to the responsible person.

3. Telegraphic Transfer

Account Name: BEAUTIFUL GATE FOUNDATION FOR THE DISABLED
Account Number : 3139933307
Bank Name : PUBLIC BANK
Branch : SS2 BRANCH
Bank Address : 61-1, 61-2 & 61-3, JALAN SS2/75, 47300 PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR.
Swift Code : PBBEMYKL
* Please Fax your bank payment slip & registration form to 03-78762686, or
Email to  seacat@beautifulgate.org.my

Only registration forms accompanied by full payment will be processed.

Cancellations

There is no refund on any cancellation of registration.

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