Enabling access to tourism through information schemes?

This paper investigates accessibility schemes as communication sources and their potential to fulfill the informational needs of tourists with disabilities and shows that, despite complying with the reliability function at the regional and national level, the existing schemes studied partly comply with informational requirements.

Abstract

Embedded in information search theory, this paper investigates accessibility schemes as communication sources and their potential to fulfill the informational needs of tourists with disabilities. Five interrelated need components are identified: information richness and reliability, appropriate sources, communication tools, and customer-oriented services. The results show that, despite complying with the reliability function at the regional and national level, the existing schemes studied partly comply with informational requirements. Limitations originate from high fragmentation and lack of geographical reach. To achieve information satisfaction and fully enable access to tourism for people with disabilities, a more sophisticated understanding of differential needs and appropriate sources is regarded as crucial.