How Tourism Can Include the Disabled

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Tourism

Tourism is travel for pleasure or business, the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours. The World Tourism Organization defines tourism more generally, in terms that go "beyond the common perception of tourism as being limited to holiday activity only" as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure and not less than 24 hours, business and other purposes".

Main Digest

Travel Medicine in Hospitality: An Interdisciplinary Perspective - International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.

Can I come, too? How tourism can include people whose health conditions usually keep them at home. Around 20 percent of the world's population suffers from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or mental disorders - a group of people the travel industry needs to accommodate.

Following the disruption of COVID-19, the global tourism industry has largely opened up again; however, traveling remains a serious challenge for a large group of people.

The World Health Organization estimates 20 percent of the world's population suffers from non-communicable chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or mental disorders.

These conditions can make traveling difficult; some people may even avoid taking holidays altogether.

A cross-disciplinary research project from Edith Cowan University has highlighted the impacts this decision can have on people with these health challenges and outlined the future repercussions for the industry.

Through collaboration between ECU's School of Business and Law and its Centre for Precision Health, the project has put forth the concept of 'travel therapy,' which sees tourism as a means of improving mental health and wellbeing.

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Researcher Dr. Jun Wen said it is vital the tourism industry catered more to vulnerable people with physical or psychological disorders, a market he described as important but too often overlooked.

"Most can travel but remain vulnerable during trips and need intensive services," he said.

"The world has an aging population, so there will be more and more people dealing with the challenges that bring, like dementia, physical limitations, and so on."

"There are also more people being diagnosed with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety."

"Tourism needs to be able to accommodate vulnerable travelers such as these for the industry's survival - but also because health is important and as our previous work has shown, tourism can help support health."

What the Industry Can Do

Dr. Wen said numerous initiatives could make destinations more accessible for vulnerable people.

Strategies could be implemented throughout the tourism industry chain (food, accommodation, transportation, travel, shopping, and entertainment). They could include considerations or allowances for caregivers who may need to accompany travelers.

Dr. Wen said education was critical.

"Staff and stakeholders need training to be made aware of vulnerable travelers' needs and demands," he said.

"This can include developing manuals to standardize services for vulnerable travelers, enhancing accessible infrastructure, and equipping professional emergency and care facilities appropriately, such as with first-aid tools."

"The industry can also customize services for different traveler segments, such as people with dementia, depression, or anxiety."

Dr. Wen said technological advances could also play a great role in bringing the benefits of tourism to more people.

"Not everyone can take physical trips," he said.

"The tourism industry should develop virtual products that enable all travelers to be present in a destination and to enjoy fun and health-related benefits."

Attribution/Source(s):

This peer reviewed article relating to our Disability Travel Information section was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its likely interest to our disability community readers. Though the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or length, the article "How Tourism Can Include the Disabled" was originally written by Edith Cowan University, and published by Disabled-World.com on 2023/02/08. Should you require further information or clarification, Edith Cowan University can be contacted at ecu.edu.au. Disabled World makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith.

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