Accessible Tourism: Determinants and Constraints; A Demand Side Perspective

Abstract

Accessible tourism focuses mainly on inclusive tourism or tourism for all. Accessible tourism enforces mainly barrier free environment in all the 3A’s of tourism. Constraints of many kinds inhibit p eople with disabilities and reduced mobility from enjoying the travel experiences. This article assorts the research work on accessible tourism in Tamil Nadu, India. Accessible Tourism is accessible fo r Person with Limited Mobility, but also for individ uals with sensory disabilities, learning disabilities or chronic diseases. Accessibility affects all areas of the tourism, basically the 3A’s of tourism : access (transport), accommodation and attraction. The researchers have taken the loco motor differentl y abled people for the study to understand the determinants associated with 3 A’s of travel. The study proclaims the demand side perspective of accessible tourism comprising the loco motor disabled travellers of the region. It unveils the existing poor ser vice available in the region inhibiting free movement of disabled community. The association of demographic factors with 3A determinants are also assessed. The main Constraints Environmental or Structural constraints, Interactive barriers or Interpersonal constraints, intrinsic barriers or Intrapersonal constraints, helplessness and intention to travel (Darcy. S and Buhalis (2011) are also determined. The study results reiterates the existing poor services available for differently abled travellers and the determiners of accessible tourism and the associated constraints which can be suggestive cues while implementing supply side services for accessible tourism in the region