Enhancing Inclusivity: Exploring the Role of VR in Accessible Tourism Experience

This research addresses the challenges faced by people with mobility impairments within accessible tourism, focusing on the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology to improve their inclusion. The study uses a phenomenological approach and utilizes in-depth interviews and content analysis to identify patterns and insights. The research identifies constraints within the tripartite model of leisure and categorizes them as constructed environment-related, resource-related, attitudinal/behavioral-related, and psychological state constraints. Key findings highlight that travel motivations are about relaxation, and gaining new experiences, while challenges primarily relate to transportation, accommodation and architectural barriers. The safety aspect is primarily associated with traveling in company. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the perceived benefits of VR technologies in promoting greater participation in tourism activities for people with mobility impairments. However, participants assert that VR cannot fully replace actual tourism experiences as it cannot provide the multi-sensory richness of physical travel. The importance of this research lies in exploring VR experiences from the perspective of people with mobility impairments, particularly in relation to the destinations they visit, a dimension that has been overlooked in previous literature. This summary provides a brief overview of the key findings and conclusions, highlighting the potential of VR in accessible tourism while recognizing the inherent differences between virtual and physical travel experiences.