Adventure tourism for people with disabilities in Portugal: opportunities and challenges

Lima Devile, Eugénia; Antunes Moura, Andreia Filipa

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/60884

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Authors

Lima Devile, Eugénia

Antunes Moura, Andreia Filipa

Abstract(s)

Recently, tourism for all appears as a phenomenon of strategic importance within the world. Contemporary society recognizes the need for inclusion of all and the universal right to participate in tourism activities that enhance human and social development. At the same time, it is important to stress out that, this relatively recent concern and sensitivity, is strictly related to two other global phenomena, aging population and quest for healthier life styles. Therefore, knowing that new realities imply alternative solutions, we believe active tourism combines symbiotically with accessible tourism, emerging as an opportunity for progress at different levels. Within this context, a more dynamic dimension of the tourism offer, adventure tourism for all, should be considered an opportunity for personal well-being, or else, quality of life of its participants. In addition, developing adapted adventure tourism activities to the disabled population will simultaneously provide new business opportunities. In Portugal, we have witnessed a growing interest in accessible tourism and observed the promotion of various public and private initiatives responding to the new tourism development trends. Thus, we suggest a new challenge for the sector under the adapted adventure tourism, presenting two perspectives of reflection in terms of the viability of the proposal and management of the tourism destination. In this paper we will discuss the relevance of accessible adventure tourism activities as an innovative development strategy, responding to new market demands, and potentially adding value to tourism products and destinations. We will base our presentation on a literature review as well as on the analysis of case studies undertaken in Portugal. This could have a pedagogical effect both on those responsible for the tourism sector and on tourists themselves, with or without disability, thus contributing to fight against stereotypes and prejudice still present in our society.