Abstract
The inclusion of people with disabilities (PwD) in tourism is a phenomenon that encompasses various influencing factors, such as accessibility, which must be reviewed for this process to work correctly. Accessible tourism has advantages for both people with disabilities and everyone else. It provides an opportunity for everyone to enjoy leisure without barriers. However, there are still factors that limit the proper operation of the sector, which require a review and new strategies for its improvement. The objective of this review is to offer a synthesis of those challenges that must be addressed in order to achieve quality accessible tourism, as well as to present the various emerging trends that can represent an important advance for the future of accessible tourism. To this end, a qualitative study review process has been carried out where the different opinions and perceptions of the various actors involved in the accessible tourism sector are considered. A thematic analysis and synthesis of the information was conducted using the “Thematic Synthesis” procedure. The methodological quality of the studies included in the synthesis was also assessed. The studies reviewed show a need to recognize disabled travelers as autonomous and independent people who seek to escape from their daily routine, and who require certain specific supports to facilitate their tourist experience. Accessible tourism is valued as a good market opportunity, but its proper development requires greater staff awareness to promote co-creation in tourism, as well as the support of technological systems to create individualized tourist profiles detailing the needs of each person.
Highlights
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than a billion people worldwide—equivalent to approximately 15% of the world’s population—have some form of disability
The methodological quality of the studies that were included in the synthesis was moderate
An attempt was made to study, through an analysis and synthesis of qualitative evidence and based on the responses of the different stakeholders in the development of accessible tourism, those changes that will have to be made to improve the outlook of the accessible tourism market
Summary
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than a billion people worldwide—equivalent to approximately 15% of the world’s population—have some form of disability. If the group of tourists over 65 years of age is added to this group, it totals almost 127.5 million people [3,4] To these figures can be added the total data from other parts of the world. According to the Tourism Research Australia National Visitor Survey, in the first quarter of 2017, people with disabilities spent $3.3 million, which represented 17% of all tourism spending [11]. Another outstanding example is the case of New Zealand, where in 2019 tourism generated a direct contribution to the country’s GDP of 16.2 billion dollars [12]. It represents a highly lucrative market that could generate potential revenue of 88.6 billion EUR (euros) by 2025
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