Abstract

Inclusion, disability, an ageing population and tourism are increasingly important areas of study due to their implications for both tourism demand and supply. This book therefore sets out to explore and document the current theoretical approaches, foundations and issues in the study of accessible tourism. In drawing together the contributions to this volume the editors have applied broader social constructionist approaches to understanding the accessible tourism phenomena. Accessible tourism, as with any area of academic study is an evolving field of academic research and industry practice. As with other areas of tourism, the field is multidisciplinary, and is influenced by various disciplines including geography, disability studies, economics, public policy, psychology and marketing.

As one would expect from two scholars at the height of their academic abilities, Dimitrios Buhalis and Simon Darcy have delivered a hugely timely and much needed contribution to the under-served area of accessible tourism. Harnessing the best conceptual developments on the topic, Accessible Tourism is a scholarly yet hugely readable collection and readily communicates the various contributors’ passion for and command of their subject. This collection is a must have text for anyone engaged in the theory, practice and policy of accessible tourism and will be essential reading on undergraduate and postgraduate courses across a range of disciplines and fields. I cannot speak highly enough of this endeavour and I’m sure it will take accessible tourism and universal design debates into the mainstream of academic enquiry and industry practice.

Dimitrios Buhalis is Professor of eTourism and Director of eTourism Lab at Bournemouth University. His research focuses on strategic management and marketing, tourism marketing, technology and eTourism.

Dr Simon Darcy is an Associate Professor and Research Director in the School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism at the University of Technology, Sydney. Simon's research and teaching expertise is in sport, tourism and diversity management. He currently holds research grants investigating organisational responses to accessible tourism, sports management practices and protected area visitor management systems.

The book Accessible Tourism: Concepts and Issues is one of a kind, and is the only book currently on the market which discusses the concept of accessibility in relation to disability and tourism. Furthermore, the book covers a wide range of topics which are important in the field of accessibility research...Overall, this book presents, in approximately 300 pages, a wealth of knowledge regarding accessible tourism. New researchers in this field can now be in possession of a book which not only introduces important issues for accessible tourism, but also is a valuable resource on which they can build and branch out. Valuable references are gathered together in one volume on specific topics in tourism and accessibility, as well as related literature...It is evident that much work has gone into writing the chapters presented in the book, as well as in organizing them into one logical and coherent volume. Thus, this book is a major contribution to the field of accessible tourism and also a valuable resource for both students and researchers interested in this field of study.

Although the book makes a valuable contribution to the study of tourism, disability, and accessibility, it is not too ambitious in terms of critical content, theoretical aptitude, and global application. The book should be of interest to both undergraduate and postgraduate students studying particular aspects of tourism and consumer behaviour, and the social and welfare elements associated with tourism supply and provision. It will also be useful to those students specializing in tourism planning and policy.