Determinants of Travel Participation and Experiences of Wheelchair Users Traveling to the Bodrum Region: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Although the number of people with disabilities and types of disability increases day by day, a sufficient point has not been reached regarding accessible tourism. The participation rate of people with disabilities (PWDS) in tourism activities is low, and there is a big gap in the travel and accommodation sector in this regard. Studies of previous scholars have concluded that the accessible tourism market is a significant and profitable area, but determinants of participation to travel and process of travel, such as wheelchair user expectations, are consistently ignored by the tourism industry. The main purpose of this study is to determine the determinants of travel by examining the motivations, expectations, processes and experiences of PWDS using wheelchairs to participate in tourism. Research was performed in Turkey’s Bodrum district; 25 wheelchair users were included in the study. The keywords that emerged in the theoretical framework in light of the answers given to 39 open-ended questions online were coded in the Nvivo program. The results showed that wheelchair users intended to go on vacation but were less motivated to participate due to the lack of travel conditions. Wheelchair travelers argued that a companion was required for an enjoyable holiday that could meet their needs. In addition, the results revealed that the types of wheelchairs used by disabled passengers differ. The disabled stated that the wheelchairs they use in daily life are not suitable for use on the beach, sand or water. Despite the economic, social and technological change opportunities, basic tourism service expectations of PWDS are not met. This research project is a comprehensive study that makes determinations in terms of examining the social status of disabled people in terms of social sciences, examining the place and importance of disabled tourists in the market and eliminating the deficiencies of facilities serving in tourism.

Critical Elements of Disability Models as Determinants of Travel Intention of People With Disabilities Towards Natural and Cultural Destinations

“…Thus, these findings are aligned with the available literature on the critical role of transportation services in tourism development (Khadaroo and Seetanah, 2007), particularly in one-day cultural tours (Terziyska, 2021). Hence, based upon findings from this research, it is worth mentioning that regardless of the supplier (i.e., private or public), high-quality transportation services for PWDS may help significantly reduce any disability and social participation barrier (Márquez et al, 2019;Özcan et al, 2021;Ralph et al, 2022;Shen et al, 2023). Accordingly, PWDS experiencing better sensations via suitable means of transportation during travel and tourism activities may decide on more extended stays or more frequent travels towards specific destinations all year round or just on holidays.…”

“…Accessible Tourism has striven to enable persons with disabilities (hereafter PWDS) to pass from being considered a small group of marginalised and excluded persons with limited participation in tourism activity (Darcy et al, 2020;Kastenholz et al, 2015;Özcan et al, 2021, Wall-Reinius et al, 2023 to become a potential market segment for the tourism industry (Domínguez et al, 2013;Gillovic and McIntosh, 2020). However, despite these attempts to engage more disabled persons in leisure activities, disability studies indicate that the participation and inclusion rates of PWDS in travel and tourism activities are relatively low, mainly because many destinations have shown not to be well-suited to provide high-quality tourism services and infrastructure to tourists with special access requirements (Pasca et al, 2022;Rodriguez-Sanchez et al, 2014).…”

Digital Inclusivity: Advancing Accessible Tourism via Sustainable E-Commerce and Marketing Strategies

“…The recent literature on accessibility emphasises the importance of sustainability and inclusivity, with a focus on fostering a strong connection between industry and society in the future [47]. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals, designed to be universal blueprints for addressing global challenges and promoting prosperity and well-being for all, as well as to support strategic choices of responsibility by 2030 [48].…”

Conceptual framework of sustainable interior design (SID) criteria and components to hotel’s operational performance effectiveness

“…[16] emphasizing the need of specialized amenities, such as pools and spas, require specific maintenance to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. [17] prioritizing accessibility and universal design principles allows all guests, including those with disabilities, to enjoy a comfortable stay. Safety and security are paramount, necessitating adherence to building codes and regular inspections.…”