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According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023), 1.3 billion people - about 16% of the global population - experience significant disability. Accessibility for all to tourism facilities, products, and services should be a central part of any responsible and sustainable tourism policy. Accessibility is not only about human rights. It is a business opportunity for destinations and companies to embrace all visitors and enhance their revenues.

Did you know..? 

• Almost 50% of people aged more than 60 have a disability (UNDESA, 2022) 
• Travellers with disabilities tend to travel accompanied by 2 to 3 travel companions (Bowtell, 2015)
•  2/3 of people with disabilities in developed economies are likely to have means to travel (based on Bowtell, 2015)

This portal provides an insight into UN Tourism resources on accessibility. All resources were developed with key inputs from Organizations with Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), civil society and tourism sector stakeholders. The publications generally follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 (level AA).

International Accessible Tourism Forum - Asia & the Pacific 

Download here the Programme of the Forum .     

UN Tourism International Conference on Accessible Tourism 

The Conference discussed accessible tourism policies and product development, as well as international guidance tools applied to the tourism value chain. Good practices showcased innovative solutions in access to transportation, cultural heritage, nature areas, leisure, MICE and a wide range of tourism businesses. The UN Tourism & San Marino Action Agenda for the Future of Accessible Tourism 2030 outlines a series of public commitments to undertake specific accessibility improvements.  

Download here the Programme of the Conference . 

Download the San Marino Action Agenda  in English , Spanish , French and Arabic .  

Recommendations for managers of natural resources

A set of guidelines on accessibility targeting key players in the management of natural resources, was published by UN Tourism in October 2023. The document focuses on facilitating access to protected nature areas, beaches and parks. The WCPA Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) , acted as the expert reviewers. Their involvement was key in identifying the best actions geared towards a greater extent of accessibility and inclusiveness within nature areas, vis a vis tourism. 

The guidance tool, whose drafting was led by UN Tourism, the ONCE Foundation and UNE, is part of the promotion of ISO Standard 21902:2021 .

Download here the guidelines in English  and Spanish . 

Recommendations for cultural tourism key players   

Download here the English and Spanish version of the Recommendations.  

Recommendations for Accommodation, Food&Beverage and MICE companies 

Download the user-guide (January 2023) here:

Recommendations for governments and destinations 

Download the user-guide (December 2022) produced in collaboration with Turismo de Portugal, Turismo Argentina and European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT):

Accessibility Standards guiding the Recovery

You can click and download below the takeaway thoughts & conclusions (accessible PDF file) : ➥ Conclusions (in accessible PDF format) - English: Webinar ➥ Conclusions (in accessible PDF format)   - Spanish: Webinar

UN Tourism Inclusive Recovery Guide - Persons with Disabilities 

• Download full document

Reopening Tourism for Travellers with Disabilities

Accessible Tourism Destination

The ATD is an annual UN Tourism distinction based on an Expert Committee evaluation, which acknowledges destinations enabling a seamless experience to any tourist, regardless of their abilities . The first ATD was awarded in 2019 and has been temporarily put on hold, given the pandemic.  

Documents available for download:

• Expert Committee
• Accessible Tourism Destination award (First Edition)

Video "Change your destination"

The video “Change your destination” was issued by Fundación ONCE and UN Tourism by the occasion of the 2019 International Fair of Tourism (FITUR).

Facilitating travel for people with disabilities is an exceptional business opportunity. Yet, a change in mind-set and in the model of tourism services provision is needed in order to meet this major market demand. Accessible environments and services contribute to improve the quality of the tourism product and can create more job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Accessibility, therefore, must be an intrinsic part of any responsible and sustainable tourism policy and strategy.

World Tourism Day 2016: "Tourism for All - promoting universal accessibility"

While these examples provide a small sample of possible solutions regarding accessibility, they will hopefully inspire others to take steps towards broadening the availability of accessible offers in tourism destinations around the world. 

  Download full text: Tourism for All - promoting universal accessibility

UN Tourism Recommendations on Accessible Information in Tourism

Ensuring that the information is accessible,  is without any doubt a key to communicating successfully with visitors in all stages of their journey, particularly with regards to travelers with disabilities and special access requirements.

The  UNWTO Recommendations on Accessible Information in Tourism  have been developed with the support and collaboration of the ONCE Foundation for Cooperation and Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities and the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT). They were adopted by the Resolution A/RES/669(XXI) of the General Assembly of UNWTO as a follow-up to the ‘Recommendations on Accessible Tourism for All’ of 2013. 

  Download full text: UNWTO Recommendations on Accessible Information in Tourism

UN Tourism Recommendations on Accessible Tourism for All

The Recommendations incorporate the most relevant aspects of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities of 2006 and the principles of Universal Design.

In the context of a trilateral agreement between UNWTO, ONCE and ENAT, the recommendations were adopted by UNWTO General Assembly Resolution A/RES/637(XX) of August 2013, updating the 2005 UNWTO Recommendations. 

  Download full text: UNWTO Recommendations on Accessible Tourism for All

Highlights of the 1st UN Tourism Conference on Accessible Tourism in Europe  

In recognition of accessibility’s importance in the tourism sector, UNWTO and the Government of San Marino jointly organized the  1st UNWTO Conference on Accessible Tourism in Europe  (19 - 20 November 2014).

Drawing together policy makers, tourism destinations, the private sector and civil society, this landmark event addressed challenges in advancing quality, sustainability and competitiveness within the tourism sector through universal accessibility.

This publication features 14 good practices presented at the Conference which focus on accessibility of cultural heritage sites, policy frameworks and strategic actions to make accessible tourism a reality. 

  Download full text: Highlights of the 1st UNWTO Conference on Accessible Tourism in Europe

San Marino Declaration on Accessible Tourism 

The Declaration which resulted from the 1st UNWTO Conference on Accessible Tourism in Europe, held on 19-20 November 2014 in the Republic of San Marino, can be downloaded here:

Manuals on Accessible Tourism for All

One of the most significant outcomes of a major collaboration framework between UN Tourism and Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs), particularly the Spanish  ONCE Foundation  for the Cooperation and Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities, the  European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) , and the Spanish  ACS Foundation , are the Manuals on Accessible Tourism for All.

The manuals are meant to assist tourism stakeholders in improving the accessibility of tourism destinations, facilities and services worldwide.

Manual on Accessible Tourism for All: Public-Private Partnerships and Good Practices

Download full text: English | Spanish

Download Executive Summary: English | Français

Module I: Definition and Context 

  Download full text: Module I: Definition and Context

Module II: Accessibility Chain and Recommendations 

  Download full text: Module II: Accessibility Chain and Recommendations  (Español)

Module III: Principal Intervention Areas 

  Download full text: Module III: Principal Intervention Areas  (Español)

Module IV: Indicators for Assessing Accessibility in Tourism 

Module IV of the Manual on Accessible Tourism for All: Principles, Tools and Best Practices , co-produced with the ONCE Foundation and ENAT, proposes a series of indicators developed for tourism destinations to assess, control, and manage their accessible tourism offer. Accompanied by a detailed methodology for their application, these indicators can serve as a practical tool not only to assess the current situation within destinations but also to consider further actions that may be required. Module IV is currently available in Spanish only, in a digital accessible version. It has been laid-out following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 (level AA). 

  Download full text: Module IV: Indicators for Assessing Accessibility in Tourism (Español)

Module V:  Good Practices of Accessible Tourism for All 

Module V of the Manual on Accessible Tourism for All: principles, tools and best practices , co-produced with the ONCE Foundation and ENAT, provides an overview of case studies and good practices which have proven a successful implementation of universal accessibility in different spheres of tourism, such as promotion, market research, travel agencies, transportation, accommodation, training & capacity building and destination management. The examples featured therein analyze a wide spectrum of conditions which were decisive in making accessible tourism a reality and are meant to inspire the key stakeholders to engage in similar initiatives in their respective areas of influence. Module V is available in both English and Spanish, in digital accessible versions. The publications have been laid-out following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 (level AA). 

  Download full text: Module V:  Good Practices of Accessible Tourism for All (English)   Download full text: Module V:  Good Practices of Accessible Tourism for All (Español)

Accessible Tourism for All: An Opportunity within Our Reach

The brochure "Accessible Tourism for All: An opportunity within Our Reach" features the major highlights of the Manual on Accessible Tourism for All produced with the ONCE Foundation and ENAT .

It is aimed at making tourism stakeholders familiar with the content of the five modules of the Manual in a reader-friendly and summarized form.  The publication  has  been laid-out following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 (level AA). 

  Download full text: Accessible Tourism for All: An Opportunity within Our Reach

Accessibility and Accessible Tourism: The Conceptual Evolution Through the Analysis of the Literature

• First Online: 30 August 2023

Cite this chapter

• Chiara Rossato 4 &
• Rossella Baratta 5  

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology ((BRIEFSAPPLSCIENCES))

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The desire for sustainable growth and inclusivity is increasing. Accessibility is a critical feature of inclusion, particularly in tourism, one of the world’s largest industries. The purpose of this chapter is to shed light on the conceptual evolution of accessible tourism in the light of technological developments through a review of the literature on the topic. This chapter first presents the theoretical background of the concepts of diversity, inclusion and accessibility in tourism. It then explains the methodology followed for the literature review and presents an analysis of the results. Finally, reflections and future research directions are proposed.

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Rossato, C., Baratta, R. (2023). Accessibility and Accessible Tourism: The Conceptual Evolution Through the Analysis of the Literature. In: Cassia, F., Castellani, P., Rossato, C. (eds) Accessible Tourism in the Digital Ecosystem. SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38782-1_1

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European cultural tourism network awards 2024 seeks outstanding accessible heritage destinations.

The ECTN will award "European Collaboration for Smart and Sustainable Cultural Tourism Destinations", with the first theme addressing Accessibility to Heritage.

An ambitious programme

Anna Grazia Laura, President of ENAT

20th December  2023 Dear Friends,

The end of the year is approaching and it is time to present a summary of what we have achieved in 2023 and our plans for the New Year.

ENAT is a non-profit association for organisations that aim to be 'frontrunners' in the study, promotion and practice of accessible tourism. You may be an expert or new to the area - in either case you are welcome!

By leveraging the knowledge and experience of the network, our members are improving the accessibility of tourist information, transport, infrastructure, design and service for visitors with all kinds of access needs, providing models of excellence in accessible tourism for the whole of the tourism industry.

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We want to help make Europe as a whole an accessible destination, where all travellers can move freely.

Find out why you should become an ENAT member. What membership offers and what it takes to join.

Video from the IMPACTOUR Project: Destination Story, Tartu, Estonia (2:49 minutes): www.impactour.eu Automated subtitles are available in English language.

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Published April 29, 2024

A comprehensive new report released by the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Initiative -- in collaboration with several community colleges across the state -- reveals critical insights into the workforce development needs within Wyoming’s robust travel industry. The Gap Analysis Report underscores the urgent need for enhancing educational programs and training opportunities to sustain and expand this crucial economic sector in the Cowboy State.

In 2023, Wyoming’s travel industry -- the state's second-largest industry -- supported more than 33,000 jobs, and travelers spent $4.5 billion, making a significant impact on the state’s economy. Despite these impressive figures, the report identifies a gap in the skilled workforce necessary to support the industry’s continued growth and development.

The report, supported by Gov. Mark Gordon’s Wyoming Innovation Partnership, found a decline in enrollment and graduation in tourism and hospitality-related programs post-COVID-19, with recovery lagging behind the demand for skilled workers. Programs related to outdoor recreation and leadership have seen increasing popularity, indicating a shift in demand.

Key findings from the report include:

-- A 24 percent projected increase in employment within the travel industry by 2030, significantly outpacing the overall state employment growth.

-- A shortfall in the number of skilled workers emerging from educational programs relative to the needs of the industry.

WORTH researchers recommended focusing on boosting enrollment and program visibility, enhancing partnerships between educational institutions and industry stakeholders, and expanding training programs to address specific industry skills gaps.

Dan McCoy, WORTH interim director, emphasizes the importance of the findings.

“Our report highlights the need for strategic investments in education and workforce development to keep pace with the industry’s demands,” McCoy says. “By strengthening the ties between educational institutions and the travel industry, we can ensure a more robust and skilled workforce to support Wyoming’s economic future.”

The full report is available at https://doi.org/10.15786/wyoscholar/9852 .

For more information, email McCoy at [email protected] or visit the WORTH website at www.uwyo.edu/worth .

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That’s an overall impact, but the report showed that the amount that those tourists are spending is nearly $3 billion, an increase of about a billion dollars.

"When you look at the spending per person basis, we are at about $200 per person, per day. And that was nearly twice of what it had been previously," added Cranis.

The report also shows that of the 2,500 tourists surveyed, more than half flew into Central Florida. Meaning that if they come from farther away, it’s likely that they will stay longer.

Residents and neighbors like Bill Harrison are happy to hear this.

"What is the economy without the tourists? That is what Florida lives on, so we might as well embrace it," Harrison said.

About 2,000 new hotel rooms should be coming online in Brevard in just the next 18 months, an increase of 20%. So, there is plenty of room to grow if this pace continues.

"I think the numbers will definitely continue to go up," said local business owner Shay Seitz of A1A Outdoors Center.

A new aquarium by Port Canaveral will break ground this year, and the new Cocoa Brightline station is in the works. Both are expected to attract more tourists to the area.

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86% of expats report being stressed out, but study suggests they may also cope better with burnout

It's not easy to pick up your life and move overseas to work abroad, but it can also be very rewarding.

As someone who recently moved from the United States to Singapore, I am the first to say that while the opportunity to do so is a privilege, it also comes with its own unique set of challenges.

Being a 16-hour flight from your closest family is daunting, but having the chance to completely immerse in a new culture and having the time to focus on yourself are priceless.

"The globally mobile – individuals living and working overseas – are an increasingly important element of workforces in most markets," according to the Cigna Healthcare Vitality Study released April 2024.

"We have also seen a growing appetite for this lifestyle, with nearly a third (30%) of people who still live in their home country saying they are likely to live overseas," according to the study.

The study surveyed more than 10,000 people, including more than 2,600 globally mobile individuals across 12 markets: the U.S., U.K., Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, mainland China, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Who are today's globally mobile?

Globally mobile individuals tend to display a higher than average vitality score — 71.7 out of the maximum score of 100, compared to people who live in the home market — 66.7.

Globally mobile employees often have... a mental and physical feeling of being healthy, capable, and energetic – and a strong sense of meaning and purpose. Wendy Sherry CEO for Global Health Benefits, International Health, at Cigna Healthcare

The vitality scores used in this study are based on The Evernorth Vitality Index , which provides a measure of "people's capacity to pursue life with health, strength, and energy," according to the report.

The survey asked questions to gauge respondents' sense of physical, spiritual, emotional, environmental, social, occupational, financial and intellectual well-being.

Additionally, this group reported better mental well-being than their local counterparts (58% vs. 42% with excellent or very good mental well-being), according to the study.

"Globally mobile employees often have higher levels of vitality – a mental and physical feeling of being healthy, capable, and energetic – and a strong sense of meaning and purpose," according to Wendy Sherry, CEO for Global Health Benefits, International Health, at Cigna Healthcare.

"The various facets of our lives – including social, occupational, and financial – are all connected," she added.

This is apparent in how this group is 10% more likely to feel like they can build strong connections with others. Additionally, globally mobile people are more likely to be engaged, energized and enthusiastic at work compared to locals, according to the report.

Despite having more vitality, this group also experiences high levels of stress (86%) and particularly high levels of burnout (96%), compared to locals.

"On the other hand, expats may experience social isolation, which can compound emotional difficulties, aggravate stress, and increase the chances of burnout," Sherry said.

Additionally, this group is particularly susceptible to experiencing "feelings of detachment or loneliness, self doubt, and negative outlook," according to the study. Notably, these feelings are more pronounced in Asia, Middle East and Africa.

"In Asia, stress levels are at 89% in Singapore and 91% in Hong Kong. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, they reach 90%, and 94% in Kenya. Conversely, in Europe, particularly in Spain and the Netherlands, stress levels are comparatively low, at 79% and 67%, respectively," according to the study.

Here are the biggest challenges faced by those living and working abroad:

• Financial challenges (38%)
• Homesickness (23%)
• Difficulty maintaining work/life balance (18%)
• Health issues like difficulty accessing health care (18%)
• Difficulty finding housing (17%)

Expats in Asia, particularly in Hong Kong (22%) and mainland China (24%), are more prone to encounter work-related challenges. Hong Kong-based respondents (40%) also report needing more assistance in navigating local health care compared to about 28% of respondents in other regions.

A seeming disconnect?

So why do globally mobile individuals score higher on vitality despite reporting higher stress and burnout levels compared to local counterparts?

Globally mobile employees emerge as a highly valuable and resilient segment of the workforce. Despite facing unique stressors associated with their situation, they exhibit distinct skills and a high level of motivation, resulting in higher vitality. 2024 Cigna Healthcare Vitality Study

The study suggested it could be due, in part, to the group's tendency to be adaptable and resilient.

"Globally mobile employees emerge as a highly valuable and resilient segment of the workforce. Despite facing unique stressors associated with their situation, they exhibit distinct skills and a high level of motivation, resulting in higher vitality," according to the report.

Although this group tends to exhibit more resilience, the stress they face shouldn't be overlooked.

"For foreign professionals, work can be all-encompassing, serving as a crucial support system, a source of purpose, and a center of social connections. This differs from the experience of local employees, where the boundaries between personal and professional life may be more distinct," according to the study.

"A comprehensive approach is essential – employers must address work-life balance, facilitate social well-being, and provide support that goes beyond just physical and mental dimensions of health."

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Books | how a french ph.d. dissertation became a southern california beach read, after coming to study at ucla, paris-born elsa devienne spent years working on her book, 'sand rush: the revival of the beach in twentieth-century los angeles.'.

Originally from Paris, Elsa Devienne spent a year studying at UCLA in the late ‘00s. With a gig as a dog sitter in Santa Monica, she had affordable rent and the chance to visit the local beaches .

“I remember, first of all, being wowed by this incredible landscape, the beauty of the Pacific Ocean ,” Devienne, now based in Manchester, U.K., recalls on a recent video call. But she says the heavily built-up areas around the beaches “shocked” her. “You could find parking lots, freeways, houses, buildings.”

SEE ALSO : Sign up for our free Book Pages newsletter about bestsellers, authors and more

Devienne, who had never visited Los Angeles before her year at UCLA, was most perplexed by the parking lots that are ubiquitous along the otherwise gorgeous landscape: Who, she wondered, had envisioned the landscape this way – and why?

The winners of the Mr. Muscle Beach Contest in 1951. (Credit Los Angeles Herald Examiner Collection, University of Southern California Digital Library /Courtesy of Oxford University Press)

A parking lot built in 1950 on the newly expanded Venice Beach. (Credit California Coast Aug. 1950, Water Resources Collections & Archives, University of California, Riverside / Courtesy of Oxford University Press)

Employees of a real estate company do group calisthenics at Playa Del Rey in the 1920s. (Credit Fritz Burns Papers William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University / Courtesy of Oxford University Press)

Santa Monica Harbor as seen from above in 1949. (Credit Los Angeles City Archives / Courtesy of Oxford University Press)

The lack of facilities and popularity with teenagers caused some consternation of the beach lobby. (Credit California Coast Aug. 1950, Water Resources Collections & Archives, University of California, Riverside / Courtesy of Oxford University Press)

A scene from Muscle Beach, circa 1947. (Photo credit Los Angeles Daily News Negatives, Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles / Courtesy of Oxford University Press)

Abbye “Pudgy” Stockton with her admirers at Muscle Beach, circa 1947. (Photo credit Los Angeles Daily News Negatives, Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles / Courtesy of Oxford University Press)

A 1936 diagram from California Beaches Association for a project to develop the beach and highway along Santa Monica. (Credit Water Resources Collections & Archives, University of California, Riverside / Courtesy of Oxford University Press)

Historian Elsa Devienne is the author of “Sand Rush: The Revival of the Beach in Twentieth-Century Los Angeles,” out from Oxford University Press. (Courtesy of Oxford University Press)

Experiencing the sand first-hand

These questions launched her upon a years-long investigation into the history of the beaches that line the western edge of Los Angeles County. Originally researched for her Ph.D. dissertation at Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Devienne continued to work on the material, which was then translated by Troy J. Tice, for her nonfiction book, “Sand Rush: The Revival of the Beach in Twentieth-Century Los Angeles,” which is out May 1 on Oxford University Press.

The book tracks the development of the coastline from the 1920s – when the beaches ​w​ere more polluted and difficult to access – through the midcentury and beyond as a so-called “beach lobby” worked to develop, clean and expand the coastline, often with the goal of making it a bastion of the White middle-class. As well, Devienne examines the landscape from its real estate significance to its ascendance as a place to celebrate physical beauty.

However, as well as research, Devienne says it’s important to experience the landscape you’re writing about.

“You have to observe how people behave at the beach and who goes to what beach for what reason,” she says. For her year in L.A., Devienne immersed herself in the city. She took a class led by the historian Eric Avila at UCLA and worked with people who had been writing about the city for years. She spent time at Santa Monica Public Library , Santa Monica History Museum , Long Beach Historical Society and Los Angeles Public Library .

“I was a library rat,” she says, but talked to plenty of locals. “The lifeguards, surfers, people who hung out at the beach in the ‘60s, anybody who was ready to talk to me about beaches.”

She later returned to L.A., this time as a Fulbright Scholar for a six-month stint at USC, and interviewed Venice High School and Santa Monica High School alumni. She also took a deep dive into beach reading.

“I read some really, really interesting, funky, wonky, crazy, pornographic ‘50s books about the L.A. beach culture, which, in some cases, I was able to use in the book,” she says.

Devienne would return to Los Angeles again during her time teaching at Princeton. For that trip, she brought students and toured Malibu with them, using the Our Malibu Beaches app to locate entrances to the sand. It was a way of applying her research with people who were largely from the East Coast, where beaches can be harder to access than they are in California.

“That’s basically because the law about what part of the beach is public or private has been interpreted differently in different states,” Devienne explains. “In some states, this has been interpreted strictly and other states much more expansively. The main idea is that the beach that is always wet – that is covered by tide – should always be public, should always be accessible, but the part that is dry can be privatized.”

She adds that some states had more ambitious programs to buy back beaches than others. “In some places, like on the East Coast, there’s such a large history of implementation and establishment of settlements that it was very difficult to buy back the beaches,” says Devienne. “Because California has a history of the presence of Anglo Americans that is a bit less old, there were possibilities to buy back bigger lands that hadn’t yet been broken up into smaller properties.”

Throughout her research, Devienne traces a history of L.A.’s beach life filled with ironies. It’s a history steeped in making the coast accessible, yet marred by racist restrictions. While it’s a human-engineered landscape, the beach has also spawned environmentalist movements.

Climate change and the coastline

Devienne writes that local activism has led to beaches that are “cleaner, more accessible, and more inclusive than they have been in over a century,” but that, as a result of our changing climate, the beaches still face a precarious future.

“It’s so important to keep on pushing for these places to be accessible to all people, to be easily accessible. But also for them to continue existing,” says Devienne. “For this to happen, we need to continue pushing for climate change legislation, for reducing our carbon emissions.”

She adds, “Literally, this is a question of survival. My children could see the end of California beaches as we know them within their lifetime.”

SEE ALSO : Read Laylan Connelly’s coverage of Southern California’s beaches and coastline.

Ultimately, “Sand Rush” took a turn that Devienne didn’t anticipate when she began looking at L.A. beach history. “I didn’t realize when I started writing that this is how I would conclude it,” says Devienne of the discussion of climate change. “As I was writing, the scientific evidence became more and more clear that we could lose something so incredibly wonderful as a beach.”

Next up for Devienne is the history of beach cleanups. She came across the stories of women in Oregon and Texas who began organizing cleanups in the 1980s where volunteers categorized the trash that they found.

“That, for me, is an important chapter and milestone in the history of the anti-plastic movement, which I intend on writing about in my second book,” she says.

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Please note you do not have access to teaching notes, accessible tourism – understanding blind and vision-impaired tourists’ behaviour towards inclusion.

Tourism Review

ISSN : 1660-5373

Article publication date: 4 August 2022

Issue publication date: 7 April 2023

The physiological and psychological issues that limit people with vision impairment make it difficult for them to participate in tourism activities and enjoy the various benefits of tourism. This study aims to construct a theoretical model of the tourism-influencing factors that can lead to problems for people with vision impairment to meet their travel desires and improve their enjoyment of life.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a mixed-methods approach. A theoretical model of the tourism-influencing factors for people with vision impairment was constructed based on grounded theoretical analysis of interviews and was then tested in a quantitative survey.

In the first stage, a new theoretical model of the tourism-influencing factors for people with vision impairment was conducted. In the second stage, five research hypotheses arising from the theoretical model were tested in a quantitative survey. The results show that internal psychological perception, perceived behavioural control and perceived social intention have a significant positive impact on the tourism intention behaviour of people with vision impairment. However, subjective norms do not significantly influence the tourism behaviour intention of people with vision impairment.

Originality/value

The right to tourism should be available to disabled as well as to able-bodied people. Few tourism research studies have focused on people with vision impairment, and the influencing factors on the behaviour of people with vision impairment have not received due attention. This study extends the theoretical model of the theory of planned behaviour and provides a new perspective for understanding the travel behaviour intention of people with vision impairment.

视障者受生理和心理问题的限制, 较难参与旅游活动并享受旅游带来的各种好处。本研究旨在构建出视障者旅游行为影响因素理论模型, 以满足视障群体的旅游需求, 并提高他们的生活幸福感。

本研究采用混合研究方法。以访谈为基础进行扎根理论分析, 构建出视障者旅游行为影响因素的理论模型, 并通过定量研究验证模型。

第一阶段, 构建了视障者旅游行为影响因素的新理论模型。第二阶段, 根据构建出的理论模型提出五个研究假设, 并通过定量研究进行验证。研究结果显示内在心理感知、知觉行为控制和社会支持感知对视障者旅游行为意向存在显著正向影响, 而主观规范对视障者旅游行为意向的影响不显著。

视障者同健全者拥有平等的旅游权利。但旅游研究中针对视障群体的研究很少, 对视障者旅游行为影响因素的研究更未得到应有的重视。本研究拓展了计划行为理论模型, 为理解视障者旅游行为意向提供了新的视角。

La limitación de los problemas físicos y psicológicos de las personas con discapacidad visual, dificulta su participación en actividades turísticas y el disfrute de los beneficios del turismo. El objetivo de este estudio es construir un modelo teórico de los factores que influyen en el turismo y que puedan causar problemas a las personas con discapacidad visual para satisfacer sus deseos turísticos y mejorar su disfrute de la vida.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

En este estudio se utilizó un método mixto. Sobre la base del análisis de la teoría de la raíz de la entrevista, se construye el modelo teórico de los factores que influyen en el turismo de las personas con discapacidad visual.

Conclusiones

En la primera etapa, se establece un nuevo modelo teórico sobre los factores que influyen en el turismo de las personas con discapacidad visual. En la segunda etapa, se investigan cuantitativamente las cinco hipótesis de investigación presentadas por el modelo teórico. Los resultados mostraron que la percepción psicológica interna, el control del comportamiento percibido y la intención social percibida tenían un efecto positivo significativo en el comportamiento de la intención turística de los pacientes con discapacidad visual. Sin embargo, las normas subjetivas no tienen un efecto significativo en la intención de comportamiento turístico de las personas con discapacidad visual.

Originalidad

Las personas con discapacidad y las personas sanas tienen derecho al turismo. Pocas investigaciones turísticas se centran en las personas con discapacidad visual, y no se presta la debida atención a los factores que influyen en el comportamiento de las personas con discapacidad visual. Este estudio amplió el modelo teórico de la teoría del comportamiento planificado y proporcionó una nueva perspectiva para entender la intención de comportamiento de viaje de las personas con discapacidad visual.

• Mixed-methods approach
• Extended theory of planned behaviour
• Tourists’ behaviour
• Vision-impaired tourists
• Palabras clave turistas con discapacidad visual
• Comportamiento de los turistas
• Teoría del comportamiento planificado extendido
• Método mixto

Acknowledgements

Funding : National Social Science Fundation of China (21BGL282).

Qiao, G. , Cao, Y. and Zhang, J. (2023), "Accessible Tourism – understanding blind and vision-impaired tourists’ behaviour towards inclusion", Tourism Review , Vol. 78 No. 2, pp. 531-560. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-03-2022-0129

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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More than 2 million gazelle still roam the Mongolian steppe

by Wildlife Conservation Society

A study published in Oryx sheds light on the status of Mongolian gazelle populations across Mongolia, Russia, and China, revealing both successes and challenges in the conservation efforts of this iconic species

Led by a team of dedicated researchers, the study provides the first global population estimates and highlights the threats facing gazelles in their range states.

The study presents the first nearly range-wide estimate of Mongolian gazelle populations obtained from ground-based surveys across Mongolia and Russia, supplemented with anecdotal accounts of their status in China. The findings underscore Mongolia's crucial role as a stronghold for gazelles, hosting approximately 99% of the global population, estimated at around 2.14 million individuals. These results reveal that Mongolian gazelle are one of the most numerous open-plain ungulates on the planet.

However, amidst Mongolia's rapid development increasing linear infrastructure development, expanding livestock numbers, habitat degradation , and disease spillover pose significant challenges to the species' survival.

Dr. Bayarbaatar Buuveibaatar (Buuvei), WCS Mongolia Senior Scientist and lead author of the study, stresses the importance of adopting comprehensive management strategies to mitigate these threats and preserve gazelle populations.

"With the vast population size and extensive range of gazelles in Mongolia, a broad range of management options remain viable," said Dr. Buuvei "It is imperative that we dedicate resources to maintain and potentially enhance their current status."

"Globally, these vast herds of Mongolian gazelle that still roam the Mongolian steppe are a unique phenomenon, the sheer size of the herds and their long-distance movements are unique," Tserendeleg Dashpurev, Director of Hustai National Park said.

"While Mongolian gazelles are still abundant in the Mongolian steppe, the construction of new railroads threatens to dissect the vast open landscape into several parts," wildlife ecologist Nandintsetseg Dejid of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center (SBiK-F) in Germany and a co-author of this study says.

"If the new railroads are fenced without sufficient wildlife crossing structures, the Mongolian gazelle population could collapse and the largest remaining nomadic system on Earth could be in danger," she says.

"With 2 million Mongolian gazelles, thousands of nomadic people, and millions of livestock at risk, the government of Mongolia and all stakeholders to consider carefully the full ecological and economic benefits of building the new railways. It's essential to ensure that the new railways provide sufficient wildlife crossing structures to avoid a dramatic decline in population abundance of Mongolian gazelles in the steppe," Dejid says.

Galsandorj Naranbaatar, a co-author and researcher at the Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, emphasizes "the need for collaborative efforts among range countries to establish a unified approach, including the implementation of a standardized survey protocol for monitoring gazelle populations. Such initiatives are pivotal in guiding transboundary conservation efforts aimed at preserving this majestic species."

The ecosystem services they provide include redistributing nutrients as they traverse landscapes, sustaining forage diversity, and serving as prey for predators. Culturally and economically significant, they have been hunted by rural populations for subsistence, and their presence on the steppes instills pride while also offering income opportunities through eco-tourism.

The publication recommends the development and implementation of a comprehensive species management plan across the entirety of the gazelle's range. This proactive approach would address the multifaceted challenges facing gazelle populations and secure their long-term viability.

The findings presented in Oryx represent a clarion call for action, urging stakeholders to collaborate and implement targeted conservation strategies to protect gazelles and their habitats. WCS Mongolia along with partners are currently working in Eastern Mongolia to safeguard the species.

The team is monitoring the status and movement of Mongolian gazelles—gaining a clear understanding of their nomadic routes and key important routes to safeguard. We are also working with an inter-ministry working group—including the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, and the Ministry of Road and Transport Development—and have created standards for railways and fencing.

Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander, WCS Mongolia Country Director, said, "We are committed to working with partners to protecting the Mongolian gazelle and Mongolia's intact grasslands. This study highlights more than ever the need to ensure connectivity of these flagship species."

Journal information: Oryx

Provided by Wildlife Conservation Society

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