The newly founded “Cabracega†offers visitors to Lisbon one hour walking tours with blind guides from the ACAPO (Association for the Visually Impaired). Tourists are led blindfolded through the streets of the Alfama Borough on a 'sensory adventure'. The tastes, smells and sounds of the area are magnified, giving a truly unique encounter with the region.
According to Cabracega they have two main goals, “to provide a sensorial experience which aims to gather new knowledge of the surrounding space through the stimuli of the senses of smell, tact, taste and hearing and absence of vision,†and to, “bring awareness to the universe of the visually impaired, not as a limitation but instead in a positive and stimulating note in which the blind himself invite us to step into his own world of codes and references.â€
The cost of the hour long tour is 20 Euros which goes directly to the ACAPO.
Cabracega was initiated in 2008 by Pedro Alegria, Rita Gonzalez and Hugo Tornelo.
Visually Impaired Tours
Cabracega Sensory Adventures in Lisbon
Trend Themes
1. Sensory Tourism - Sensory tourism offers a unique and immersive experience that engages multiple senses, providing opportunities for hotels, tour operators, and attractions to create innovative experiences for travelers.
2. Inclusive Tourism - Inclusive tourism initiatives that cater to people with disabilities, like visually impaired tours, present opportunities for the travel and hospitality industry to tap into new market segments and enhance accessibility.
3. Empathy-based Experiences - Empathy-based experiences, such as blindfolded tours, are gaining popularity as they allow participants to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the challenges faced by the visually impaired, offering opportunities for organizations to design impactful and educational experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Travel and Hospitality - The travel and hospitality industry can capitalize on sensory tourism by creating unique experiences that engage multiple senses and offer a more immersive and memorable travel experience for tourists.
2. Tour Operators - Tour operators can tap into the inclusive tourism market by designing and promoting tours and activities that cater to people with disabilities, such as visually impaired tours, thereby expanding their customer base and boosting revenue.
3. Non-profit Organizations - Non-profit organizations working in the field of disability advocacy, like ACAPO, can collaborate with businesses to create awareness, fundraise, and provide employment opportunities for the visually impaired, while also promoting inclusion and accessibility.