Morocco • Tourism
- Sector: Tourism
- Headquarters Country: Morocco
- City: Meknes
- Founding Year: 2012
- Operating Regions: Morocco
- Employees: 2 to 10
- Founders: El Houssaine Ichen
- Problem Identified: 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.
- Solution Offered: 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.
- Social Impact: 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.
- Website: https://disabled-tourist-guide.com/
- Score: 8 Nutrition improvement program
