Kenza Rabah
Malak Aladlouni
ghita dehak
Al Akhawayn University
Mary Grace Neville
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El Houssaine Ichen founded and manages "Disabled Tourist Guide" in a culture that shuns people with physical or mental handicaps. El Houssaine's ambition is simultaneously to open Morocco's beauty to all who may be interested in experiencing it, and to increase Moroccans' awareness to the society's workplace discrimination against people with disabilities. He uses his own disability as a source of inspiration to others.
The business innovation of "Disabled Tourist Guide" is to offer specific guided tours to people who are interested in visiting the different regions of Morocco regardless of their physical limitations or disabilities. El Houssaine Ichen launched this business because of his love for traveling combined with his awareness of the lack of specially adapted accommodation and wheelchair-friendly facilities and walks for people with special needs. Indeed, despite the lack of appropriate infrastructure for this kind of business within Morocco, he still manages to operate and provide a fully safe and exciting experience to it's customers. “Traveling is something that I have always loved. Morocco is a very beautiful place with lots to see and discover. I can show tourists around and teach them about our culture, while keeping their vacation fun and safe,” Houssaine says.
Born in a small area in the beautiful middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco called Tounfite, Houssaine caught Polio at the age of three, a disease that left his legs paralyzed. Since then, in order to walk and support his moves, he uses leg braces and crutches. His handicap did not stop his love of living his life to its fullest. He earned a bachelor in Modern Art, and a specialized diploma in Informatics’ Management. He learned how to overcome his illness and adjust with his surroundings. “As I have grown up with this handicap, I do not let it slow me down. Surprisingly you may find it hard to keep up with me even when mountain hiking. Remember I grew up here and I’m used to the terrain,” El Houssaine says. His courage and love for adventure pushed him to start this business along with his ability to reach different language speaking tourists. In fact, El Houssaine speaks Tamazight (his native language), Arabic, French, English besides basic Spanish and Dutch that he learned by himself.
Disabled Tourist Guide has served Moroccans as well as foreign tourists. Despite the limited services it offers, this company had a great impact on the lives of those involved with its programs. It allows disabled visitors to enjoy the parts of Morocco they would normally not be able to see. In fact, the Moroccan government does not take into consideration the situation of such people and thus does not provide particular facilities to them. As a matter of fact, transportation, bathroom facilities, restaurants, museums and other indoor spaces do not provide specific accommodation to them. " Generally, the elevators are not available for the public in museums but often for freights. Therefore, i always advice my clients to not be embarrassed and ask to use it if they really want to see a world-class treasure" said El Houssaine. Discrimination against these people should be stopped and this courageous man's initiative is a great example of one way to integrate them into the Moroccan community. He expresses: "Being a person with special needs definitely has its challenges when it comes to career opportunities. There is a stereotype around me, or us in general, that we are unproductive in the workforce, and it is very hard to get the opportunity to prove to the employer otherwise. I have overcome these obstacles by proving that I can do anything I put my mind to and I will never give up."
"Disabled Tourist Guide " targets a niche market that is still not conquered in Morocco. By doing so, the business gets the majority of the market share because of the low competition. Morocco relies heavily on tourism in its economy, that is why El Houssaine exploited this rising sector. Serving this market, especially the foreign one, promises profitability in the long run. Accessibility is not just a matter of rights, it also develops the attractiveness, the quality of service, and the return on investment of enterprises or destinations that embrace the same approach.
Every human being has to be respected and esteemed regardless of their abilities. This company was created to bring faith and confidence to people with special needs and integrate them within the community. It allows them to gather and feel similar to the rest of the population. As part of its mission and commitment to make a lasting impact on society, El Houssaine's aim is to speak out about the importance of accommodating and accepting the disabled within Morocco. He does this through spreading his innovative story by participating in different talks and conferences as well as written articles in different platforms.
Experiencing trips with Disabled Tourist Guide agency can make a long lasting impact in the lives of many people. “Sometimes you surf with someone and it’s fine and comfortable. Sometimes you even become friends, and it is fun. And every once in a while, life brings you a special experience with someone where you feel you have become an important part of each others lives. Sitting around the table, sharing couscous with El Houssaine, his sister and her family, is exactly that sort of experience,” said Bradley Winkler, one of El Houssaine’s clients from Houston, TX, United States.
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El Houssaine Ichen, Founder
