Inclusive Tourism: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Accessible Services in Japan

This paper examines the connection between the principles of inclusive education and accessible tourism services within the larger context of inclusive tourism and universal design. Through a systematic review of current research, this study first synthesizes findings from various fields, including hospitality, disability studies, and educational research, to show how inclusive educational practices can improve accessible tourism and, conversely, how tourism experiences can serve as an effective platform for teaching inclusion. The empirical section concentrates on the challenges faced by students with disabilities in a tourism program at an international university in Japan. The research identifies significant opportunities for collaboration between different sectors but also highlights persistent barriers that require new, innovative solutions to create truly inclusive tourism experiences. However, the results of the case study reveal a large gap between theory and practice in supporting inclusive education for students of tourism in Japan.