Evaluation of Accessible Tourism Services as a Modern Trend for Tourism Development in Egypt

Purpose: This research identifies the reality of accessible tourism—traveling to places that are welcoming to individuals with disabilities. Additionally, variations in the respondents' responses were examined in relation to the factors of gender, kind of impairment, and the purpose of the visit. Methods: To accomplish the objective of the study, the descriptive approach using a survey method was utilized. The research team created a "electronic questionnaire" for the study, which included sixteen items split over three domains: promotion, access, and reception. It was applied to a group of (106) male and female volunteers who had mild visual, mild hearing, and mild movement impairments. The stratified random method was used to choose the sample from the area of Najran in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Results: The results demonstrated that, from the perspective of the study sample, the reality of tourism for individuals with disabilities (accessible tourism) in Najran region was at a low level. The promotion and reception domains placed second and third consecutively at low levels, while the domain of access to tourist destinations came out on top at a medium level. According to the replies of the survey sample, statistically significant disparities were also discovered in the reality of accessible tourism for individuals with disabilities in Najran region, favoring visual and hearing impairments. In addition, there were differences because of the variable nature of the visit in favor of the nature of the visit with the center; however, no statistically significant variations showed up regarding the variable gender. Implications and values: In order to promote accessible tourism, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage in Najran region and the various community institutions need to exert more efforts to support and promote this kind of tourism.

Section: Tool Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reliabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The reality of tourism for people with disabilities (accessible tourism) in Najran region, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Alqarni,

Hamadneh,

Abduh

2023

Challenges Facing Tourism for People with Disabilities (Accessible Tourism) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Alqarni,

Hamadneh,

Abduh

2023

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to investigate the barriers to accessible tourism for individuals with disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also demonstrated disparities in the research sample's answers based on gender, kind of handicap, nature of the visit, and location. Methods: The survey approach was employed to reach the study's aim. The researchers constructed an "electronic questionnaire" as the study tool. After verifying the implications of its validity and reliability in the Saudi context, the questionnaire consisted of (29) items distributed in four domains: personal challenges related to the tourist himself, social challenges, economic challenges, and circumstantial challenges related to the tourist site. It was used on a sample of 201 disabled male and female respondents (sight-impaired, hearing-impaired, and motor-impaired). The stratified random approach was used to choose the sample from three locations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's south (Najran, Jazan, and Asir). Results: The results revealed that the difficulties of accessible tourism for individuals with disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were high. According to the replies of the study sample members, there are statistically significant variations in the obstacles facing tourism for persons with disabilities (accessible tourism), related to the type of disability variable and in favor of motor impairment. Furthermore, variances in the variable of the type of the visit favored the individual visit, whereas no statistically significant differences showed in the variables of gender and area. According to the report, the Saudi government and the Tourism and Leisure Authority should take comprehensive initiatives and measures to enhance accessible tourism and modernize its services and facilities. These services are compatible with the requirements and needs of people with disabilities, regardless of their types of disabilities, individual differences, goals, and nature of the visit to reach universality.

The level of services and facilities in tourist sites for people with disabilities (accessible tourism) in Najran region

Alqarni,

Hamadneh,

Abduh

2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of services and facilities at tourist sites for individuals with disabilities (accessible tourism) in Najran region, as well as the disparities based on gender, type of disability, and nature of the visit. Methods: Following the survey approach, the descriptive method was employed to fulfill the study's goal. The researchers' study technique (an electronic questionnaire) was employed. After validating its validity and dependability in the Saudi context, it was reduced to (14) elements. It was applied to a sample of (111) male and female volunteers with impairments (sight, hearing, and motor). A stratified random sample was drawn from Najran area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Results: The results revealed that the level of services and facilities in tourist sites for individuals with disabilities (accessible tourism) was poor in Najran region. According to the answers of the study sample members, there are statistically significant differences in the level of services and facilities in tourist sites for people with disabilities (accessible tourism) in Najran region due to the type of disability variable in favor of visual disability and hearing disability. Furthermore, differences in the nature of the visit arose in favor of the nature of the visit with the center, although no statistically significant differences showed on the variable of gender. The study recommended that the authorities responsible for the tourism sector and tourism industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia adopt an organized and thoughtful strategic plan. The plan must work to make the services and facilities of accessible tourism of high quality by following effective methods to stimulate the accessible tourism movement in a way that meets the Kingdom’s ambitions and vision 2030.