Accessible tourism 4.0

Keywords: accessible tourism, disability, digital.
Session Type: Virtual Paper
Day: Thursday
Session Start / End Time: 4/8/2021 11:10 AM (Pacific Time (US & Canada)) - 4/8/2021 12:25 PM (Pacific Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 28

Abstract

Aim. The research aims to construe accessible tourism as a potential driver for the restart of post-COVID-19 tourism. Of course, the need for a restart and a reorganization of the tourism system appears evident after pandemic. In this perspective, a regeneration of the tourism system could start from accessible and inclusive tourism that, implemented by technology and new digital tools as a form of communication, and respecting the principles of environmental, economic and social sustainability, could become a trigger for the restart of tourism after the emergency.

Methods. The methodology used for the research is mainly theoretical and multi-method. In particular, there is a literature analysis of the main factors of accessible tourism system, and the attention is focused on the critical aspects to be solved; indeed, in consideration of the role of ICT, that underwent an acceleration during the pandemic, the study shifts on a qualitative analysis of the role of disabled travel influencers.

Conclusion. The results of the analysis show that the keyword to make accessible the tourism is inclusion and, in this context, ICT could be an instrument to eliminate some barriers. Thus, in a prospected view, considering the current needs linked to the pandemic time, it could be interesting the opportunity to stimulate the creation of a renewed communication that could be able to strengthen the image of the inclusive tourism (i.e. using the digital tourism as an instrument for the sensitization of the accessible tourism).