Racing with Rossi, Running with Zohri: Creating Job Opportunities for NTB Disability Community through Inclusive Tourism

Abstraksi

Despite experiencing series of earthquakes several months ago, it seems that Lombok’s tourism industry is still unstoppably flourishing, one of the evidence is through the development of Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus (KEK) Mandalika in which, of course, the MotoGP circuit will be constructed. Beyond that romantic story, however, several questions raised among the local disability community, specifically the females, such as “could the industry bring about changes to their lives, so to say their income?” or “Will the future MotoGP circuit accessible for the very population?” and even “What specific jobs can they and their families have?”. This study examines what job opportunities related to tourism the disability community envision as well as challenges faced by employers in the tourism area if they are to employ workers with disabilities. In doing so, eight individuals with disabilities are interviewed while 15 tourism-related employers and experts are given questionnaires (from small and medium scale businesses). It reveals that individuals with physical disabilities prefer working in a front office, such as in the reception, while those with visual impairments most suiting jobs related to art and exhibition. On the other hand, all companies have several similar concerns, indicating that individuals with disabilities could not do the work. Therefore, the hiring process had better be based on suitability of the person for the job and of course his or her capacity. This is to provide policy recommendation for the government to put much more spotlight into inclusive and universally design tourism. This way will, of course, avoid disability communities being more marginalized.