Sensory experience of visitors with hearing impairment on a rural island destination

This study aims to examine the sensory experiences of visitors with hearing impairment (HI) in the context of a rural destination. A series of field visits have been run over four seasons at the island of Yim Tin Tsai (YTT) in Hong Kong, involving 85 participants without impairment and 78 participants with HI. Spatial mapping and focus group discussions have been employed to perceive their sensory impressions and appraisals of YTT. The empirical data collected offers opportunities for in-depth examination of multisensory experiences of visitors with HI from a spatial perspective, as well as any differences with participants without impairment regarding their sensory perceptions. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of offering a vivid multisensory environment by preserving and utilizing the natural landscape, such that visitors with HI can be left with a fulfilling and rewarding experience. Experiences of visitors with HI are mainly made up by vision and smell.Visitors with hearing impairment exhibit a stronger connection to natural settings.Experiences for visitors with hearing impairment should involve diverse sensations.Importance should be placed on natural features in rural tourism planning. Experiences of visitors with HI are mainly made up by vision and smell. Visitors with hearing impairment exhibit a stronger connection to natural settings. Experiences for visitors with hearing impairment should involve diverse sensations. Importance should be placed on natural features in rural tourism planning.