Bridging the Gap: Toward Inclusive Tourism in the Banská Bystrica Region of Slovakia

Abstract

This study examines the accessibility of tourism facilities in the Banská Bystrica region of Slovakia for visitors with disabilities and explores the attitudes of service providers toward inclusive tourism. Accessibility remains a key challenge in developing equitable tourism services, and this research aims to evaluate the current state of barrier-free infrastructure while identifying opportunities for improvement. A survey of 45 tourism facilities was conducted to assess compliance with accessibility standards, revealing that only 22.22% of the facilities meet the required criteria. To complement these findings, structured interviews with representatives from eight facilities were carried out, with responses analyzed using ATLAS.ti software (Version 24.0.0) to visualize patterns through diagrams and Sankey networks. The results highlight significant shortcomings in physical accessibility as well as mixed attitudes of service providers toward the needs of disabled visitors. The study concludes that while awareness of inclusive practices is growing, substantial efforts are still required to improve infrastructure and foster positive engagement from service providers. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, tourism stakeholders, and service operators, offering practical recommendations for enhancing accessibility and promoting a more inclusive tourism environment in the region.