HOSPITALITY WITHOUT BORDERS: CREATING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR GUESTS

This paper examines the growing field of inclusive tourism, focusing on the need to adapt to the needs of travelers with disabilities. The mismatch between the increasing number of such travelers and the limited availability of hospitality services is highlighted. The paper traces the historical development of tourism for people with disabilities, especially in the Soviet Union, and analyses the current state of accessible tourism in Kazakhstan and other countries. It also emphasizes the importance of improving information, technology and equal access for all, and makes recommendations to hotels on how to better serve guests with disabilities, including infrastructure adaptations, staff training and the use of technology.