Accessible Tourism 2
Introduction
Tourism is the migration of people from various world regions to see some of the most beautiful places. Tourists come from all over the globe to see some fantastic sights (Griffin and Dimanche, 2017, p. 103). The idea of tourism is related to several advantages for the nation that is the beneficiary. As a result of the tourists’ visits to the numerous tourist attractions, the receiving country stands to gain differently. Widely accessible tourism is an essential component of adopting sustainable tourism. Individuals automatically associate accessibility with disabled people items such as hearing equipment for the blind and ramps for wheelchair users when they hear the phrase accessible tourism (Gillovic, McIntosh, Darcy, and Cockburn-Wootten, 2018, p. 617). To provide inclusive tourism for individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds, some components must be in place; the provision of services for disabled persons is just one component. The concept of accessible tourism ensures that tourist locations, goods, and services are approachable to persons of all ages and capabilities. It may also involve the level of body or intellectual impairments, impairments, or physiological or intellectual restrictions. Accessibility is a critical component of an efficient and sustainable development strategy, whether in tourism or other fields (Zajadacz, 2015, p. 192). Accessible tourism is not only for those with impairments; it is for everyone, regardless of ability. Inclusive tourism is crucial since adaptability is a human right and a significant financial opportunity for businesses.
Basic economic principles relate to global community-oriented tourism
Community-based tourism refers to a type of tourism in which residents welcome tourists to visit their communities and provide lodging for those tourists while they are there. It is often evident in those living in rural areas who are economically disadvantaged. The residents support themselves by acting as land managers, business owners, providers of services and products, and employees in various establishments. At least some of the money made from tourists is earmarked for projects that will ultimately benefit the community. The community can decide to form a partnership with a partner from the business sector to receive funding, customers, marketing, tourist accommodations, or any other kind of expertise. Consequently, while contemplating the inbound market, it is critical to developing a long-term marketing plan and regularly manage the ties. The following are some of the benefits of inbound tourism: It contributes to the country’s hard cash supply. It creates employment for the general public (Glaesser et al., 2017). This symbol represents a tool for the growth and advancement of the country. It made individuals aware of their rights and familiar with them and increased their awareness. Although they have a high level of life, it makes goods accessible to the public. It contributes to the development of rural areas where tourist attractions are situated.
Different cases
a) Girls On The Go
Girls On The Go is an only-for-women travel club based in South Orange County, California. Since 2008, the Girls On The Go Travel Club has put together excursions for female travelers (Girlsonthegoclub, 2022). Due to the ever-increasing popularity of solo female travel over the years, the company has started receiving inquiries from disabled women who wish to go on solo trips (Girlsonthegoclub, 2022). These ladies are interested in traveling without the assistance of a male companion. The majority of them are financially independent. The majority of the women either have their source of income and can determine their own way of life, or they come from families that can provide for them (Bloom, 2018). Taxation, travel marketing, infrastructural concerns, security, and cross-border legislation are among the most significant obstacles the company faces as a player in the tourism sector. The organization was not cognizant that some visitors were elderly or handicapped themselves.
Girls On the Go developed a strategy to mitigate the accessible tourism problem. They began planning the “Rampwalk in Mumbai” event with international social media (Singh, 2017). They brought wheelchair-using individuals to some of Mumbai’s historical landmarks to see how accessible they are. They also planned an art appreciation workshop in which participants were paired up. They then masked one participant in each pair and asked the other to describe the paintings; after removing the blindfolds, they obtained very intriguing responses (Singh, 2017). People with disabilities have been more involved in tourist activities in recent years. It is a consequence of their increasing degree of social and economic engagement (Calabrò, 2022, p. 116). The advocacy of accessible tourism is one of the initiatives designed to raise awareness that has promoted accessible tourism in the organization Girls on the Go.
b) Umoja Corporation
Yeshwant Holkar observed that a close friend of his who had a disability was having difficulties locating places to go that were accessible. He decided to launch the internet portal Umoja. (Vaishnavi, 2022). At that moment, he became sure that there must be a more practical approach. After that, he collaborated on the problem with the other co-founder, Ben Musgrave, to devise a solution. When Holkar first began working on Umoja, one of the most significant challenges he faced was that hotels in India had neither heard of nor considered the possibility of accessible travel (Vaishnavi, 2022). Most consumers believed that the corporation was associated with an NGO or a CSR effort. The tourist sector is seasonal and does not provide a consistent revenue stream throughout the year, harming the entire company structure. Depending on the country, the tourist business might be a highly taxed industry (Meyer, 2013, p. 132). The accessible tourism industry has been neglected for far too long. It is owed to the fact that the vast majority of tourism accommodations and travel organizations have failed to take into mind the current reality.
The company was able to open the industry’s eyes to the business opportunity of accessible travel. The success of their initiative is becoming evident as more businesses and companies have joined the venture on accessible tourism, which has highly complimented the services offered by Umoja. in.
c) Poland Active Krakow & Taxi Bus Krakow
It is a reputable business that has been around for a while and offers both transportation and sightseeing excursions. The organization’s mission is to give customers a travel experience that is not only comfortable but also safe and enjoyable (Taxibuskrakow, 2022). They take pride in their professionalism while putting the utmost importance on the satisfaction of their customers and being able to accommodate all of their requirements. According to statistics, most tourists who go to most nations throughout the globe are middle-aged couples and children under twenty-one (Ribeiro et al., 2018, p. 29). Most tourist and travel establishments do not consider that some of their guests are needy and would need particular care in terms of infrastructural measures. When it comes to accessibility to medical, business, and transportation services, the elderly are mostly ignored by most tourist facilities and enterprises. The majority of the critical players in the sector lack knowledge and experience in the accessible tourism industry. This is because they have concentrated most of their efforts on boosting the traditional tourist industry (Meskele, Woreta, and Weldesenbet, 2016, p. 12). The majority were unaware that many of their clients were visually impaired and had significant difficulties in their establishments. Therefore, Poland Active Krakow & Taxi Bus Krakow was established to mitigate some of the transportation challenges that inhibited accessible tourism.
People who cannot walk or use wheelchairs can take advantage of the company’s accessible transportation services. Their tours and transfers always use cars that are in good condition and meet all safety requirements. They provide the most extensive and varied range of tours in and around the captivating city of Krakow and its environs (Kołodziejczak, 2019, p. 68). The business has ensured that its employees are well-trained in dealing with persons who have a variety of impairments. The staff members have registered for various programs, such as welcome everyone training. Furthermore, such efforts contribute to establishing new labor relations across all areas of society and the business world (Kołodziejczak, 2019, p. 68). It also contributes to establishing new guidelines for tourist management based on the influence of the best accessible tourist activities. Establishing an accessible tourism honor or recognition is beneficial to businesses because it allows them to capitalize on their reputation due to the award (Yen, Chen, and Ho, 2021, p. 21). It also appreciates the organization’s efforts that bestows it to advocate accessibility. The “wellness” of accessible tourism in a region can be assessed, and the evaluation metrics can be improved based on the extent of these awards.
Psychological implications of tourism destination marketing practices
Psychological aspects include hedonism, novelty, involvement, and significance. The qualities of a tourist location include the local culture, services, and facilities. The ability of leisure to reduce and control stress by promoting social connection, pleasant emotions, and coping in stress is evidenced by the positive sentiments of freedom and personal growth that it evokes (Moura, Kastenholz, and Pereira, 2017, p. 241). People with physical and sensory disabilities may utilize tourism as a coping mechanism. Accessible tourism for leisure has significant impacts on the development of its participants on multiple levels, amplified for people with impairments. It may increase good feelings, providing the aforementioned functions (Moura, Kastenholz, and Pereira, 2017, p.242). Consequently, it may be regarded as a stress-coping aid or stress-control approach, especially for the disabled population.
The advantages of engaging in accessible leisure travel will be susceptible to coping attitudes and methods. It is reasonable to believe that both beliefs and approaches could influence the stress-coping of persons with disabilities. Coping viewpoints and strategies associated with accessible leisure tourism enhance individuals with motor and sensory disabilities’ skills (Turtureanu and Pripoaie, 2012). It also facilitates the capabilities to handle, influence, and manage stress. It supports the realignment and unification of their personal and social assets and favorably contributes to their health and global well-being. With the appropriate modifications, the LCS may be utilized in accessible leisure tourism as a platform for measuring and understanding the biopsychosocial features of stress-coping established by individuals with disabilities.
The role of the tourist as an agent for cultural change
Culture and tourism have a symbiotic connection that is mutually beneficial. It has the potential to boost a region’s (or country’s) attractiveness and competitiveness. Culture is becoming an increasingly essential component of the tourist industry (Afenyo-Agbe and Mensah, 2022). It also contributes to the creation of individuality in an increasingly competitive international market. At the same time, tourism offers a vital way of developing culture and earning revenue, both of which may support and enhance cultural heritage, cultural output, and creative expression. Therefore, cultivating a solid link between tourism and culture may assist regions in becoming more desirable and competitive as places to live, visit, work, and invest in. The growth of destinations all over the globe has been significantly influenced by the presence of the tourism industry (Afenyo-Agbe and Mensah, 2022). In the vast majority of circumstances, culture is a significant asset for tourist growth and, concurrently, one of the primary beneficiaries of this development. A destination’s cultural scene plays an essential role in its ability to entice tourists. Still, it also plays a role in its ability to attract permanent inhabitants and foreign direct investment.
As a result, culture has been increasingly employed as an aspect of the tourism product and destination imaging strategies. Tourism has been integrated into cultural development strategies to support cultural heritage and production (Wei, Zhao, Zhang, and Huang, 2019). This synergy between tourism and culture is seen as one of the most important reasons for encouraging a more direct relationship between these two elements. This relationship is even more significant, given the growing importance of tourism and culture for economies around the globe. The OECD estimates that international tourism accounted for approximately 30% of global service exports in 2006 (Wei, Zhao, Zhang, and Huang, 2019). Similarly, culture and creativity are increasingly being recognized as critical economic drivers. An OECD study on the economic importance of culture indicated that in several major economies, the value of the cultural industries was between 3% and 6% of the total economy
The tourism business, a service industry, creates new avenues for people to find employment. It makes a ready market for goods s
