Description
Accessible tourism experiences in Andalusia and Portugal
Book Summary
This work offers a rigorous analysis of the growing phenomenon of accessible tourism, focused on the regions of Andalusia and Portugal. The authors examine how the tourism sector can and must adapt to the needs of people with sensory and motor disabilities, combining regulatory compliance with a real economic opportunity. Through a collection of public and private experiences, the book presents models of destinations and facilities that have successfully integrated accessibility, highlighting their social and business value. It is a pioneering study from the perspective of regional geography that seeks to clarify a concept still in the process of being defined.
What is it about?
The book addresses the intersection between tourism and accessibility, starting from the premise that an increasing number of people with disabilities wish to enjoy leisure and tourism services. Given the reality that many destinations are not yet fully accessible, the work rescues successful initiatives that have managed to overcome these barriers. Various tourism models—sun and beach, rural, cultural, or active—are analyzed, and the ways in which they can incorporate the "accessible" label are examined. The study is limited to the cross-border territory of Andalusia and Portugal, with special attention to the Alentejo-Algarve and Huelva province, offering a descriptive and evaluative sketch of the selected experiences. Additionally, it reflects on the conceptual ambiguities of accessible tourism, a field little explored from the regional sciences.
Main Topics
- Accessible tourism as an inclusive model and economic opportunity.
- Adaptation of tourist destinations (sun and beach, rural, cultural, active) for people with sensory and motor disabilities.
- Public and private accessibility experiences in Andalusia and Portugal (Alentejo-Algarve and Huelva).
- Geographic and regional analysis of accessible tourism.
- Legislation, regulations, and training in tourist accessibility.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at tourism professionals, destination managers, public policy makers, students, and academics in geography, tourism, and regional sciences. It is also of interest to associations and entities working with people with disabilities, as well as any reader interested in social inclusion and accessibility in leisure and travel.
What this book contributes
- An updated and well-founded vision of the state of accessible tourism in a key cross-border territory.
- Practical cases and real experiences that serve as a reference for the implementation of accessibility measures.
- A critical analysis of the sector's deficiencies and opportunities, combining social and business perspectives.
- Conceptual clarification of a tourism typology still under development, from a geographic and regional approach.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Jurado Almonte, José Manuel; Fernández Tristancho, Antonio
- Publisher: Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Huelva
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: SOCIAL ASSISTANCE, NURSING AND HOME CARE, TRAVEL AND VACATIONS
- Collection: COLLECTANEA
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: November 2013
- Number of pages: 172
- Weight: 425 g
Editorial Review
A reference work for those seeking to understand accessible tourism beyond theory. Its value lies in the compilation of concrete experiences in Andalusia and Portugal, offering an analysis useful for both business decision-making and academic research. Although focused on a specific geographic area, its conclusions and models can be extrapolated to other contexts. Recommended for professionals and scholars of inclusive tourism.