ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIERS TO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

Tourism infrastructure and facilities should be accessible for people with disabilities. This segment of the tourism industry market has been known as ccessible tourism in recent decades. The aim of this study is to investigate the environmental barriers and accessibility of Tehran tourism that affect tourism development for people with physical and motor disabilities. A questionnaire was distributed to 200 Tehran residents with physical and motor disabilities. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to analyze data. Environmental barriers to tourism development for these people were classified in three major areas including transportation, attractions and accommodation. For each area various elements and accessibility were investigated separately. In general, principles and standards of fitting the facilities according to the needs of people with dissabilities in the main areas of Tehran tourism are are found to be inappropriate. Transportation facilities were identified as the most prominent barrier of tourism development for people with physical and motor disabilities.