Accessible Tourism: Stakeholders Perspective in the City of Braga

Abstract

The present research aims to understand and to analyse the accessible tourism in the city of Braga, with a special focus on people with motor disabilities whose limitation confines them to a wheelchair. From the perspective of accessible tourism, it is intended to ascertain whether the most emblematic tourist attractions of the city of Braga, through its cultural/religious/artistic and architectural heritage, provide the necessary conditions of accessibility for people with disabilities. This study assumes a qualitative character whose obtaining of the primary data was based on the realization of a semi-structured interview carried out with nine Stakeholders, who, directly or indirectly, participate in the tourist activity in the city of Braga. Regarding the accessibility of tourist attractions, transport and tourist offices, from the perspective of the Stakeholders, they present a certain level of accessibility for people in wheelchairs. It should be noted that in relation to the recommendation of the city’s attractions O Bom Jesus, Sameiro, Se Catedral, were the most mentioned. The interviewees’ opinions regarding Accessible Tourism in the city of Braga are not homogeneous. However, investment in accessibility is clearly seen to be beneficial. Stakeholder involvement in the construction of an accessible tourism destination assumes a predominant role from the perspective of the interviewees. Although the city of Braga has some weaknesses in terms of accessibility, the interviewees still recognize some potential for the practice of accessible tourism.