Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.37741/t.72.2.4
Tourists With Intellectual Disabilities: Analysis of Their First-Hand Experiences
Raquel Sanchez-Padilla
; Faculty of Teaching and Educational Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, Spain
Ángela Calero Valverde
; Department of Social Work and Social Services of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Universitat de València, Spain
Teresa Vicente Rabanaque
; Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology. Faculty of Social Sciences, Universitat de València, Spain
Juan I. Escámez Marsilla
orcid.org/0000-0002-8984-583X
; Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, Spain
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
This article analyses the tourism experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities to explore the meanings, motivations and tourism demands of a historically forgotten group, using a qualitative methodological design based on focus groups. The results show that people with intellectual disabilities are highly interested in tourism: to see different places, to have new experiences, and for their hedonic enjoyment. However, this interest is always subject to being accompanied, either by their family or by a group of peers with professional support. The main barriers identified respond to structural issues, such as the lack of cognitive accessibility or the lack of knowledge and training of tourism services staff about their needs, exacerbating prejudices towards this group.
Keywords
intellectual disability; inclusive tourism; qualitative research; focal groups
Hrčak ID:
315643
URI
Publication date:
12.4.2024.
Visits: 895 *