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Top1. Introduction
Travel & Tourism is one of the pillars of the global economy, generating US $7.2 trillion (9.8% of global GDP) and supporting 284 million jobs worldwide (“Travel & Tourism: Economic Impact 2016” (WTTC, 2016)). While the importance of this area is already substantial, its growth prospects (3.5% rise in 2016) indicate that it should continue to increase in the next years. The European Union also follows this global trend, with 17 million people working in the Travel & Tourism sector, which accounts for almost 10% of the EU GDP (EWORX, ENAT, & Team, 2015).
Inside this huge sector, Travel & Tourism, one of the specific markets with highest growth forecast is the one of accessible tourism. Accessible tourism in an inclusive concept, since many specific groups can have specific needs that may not be fulfilled by current tourism products and services. These groups include not only people with disabilities, but also the elderly, families with young children and other people with specific needs (e.g., suffering from food or pollen allergies). Accessible tourism is a right for all these people, and its goal is to allow them to travel and relax in the best conditions allowed by their specific circumstances.
Illustrating the importance of this specific tourism market, some studies estimate that, by 2020, 25% of travel and tourism spending will be from people with disabilities or other specific needs (Graham, 2013). Investing in this subsector can create new markets and business opportunities for tourism operators; reduce seasonality, since people with disabilities or specific needs can easily travel out of season; create more jobs and growth for regions and municipalities that become accessible. For tourists with specific needs, the development of accessible tourism will help them fully enjoy their travel and touristic activities. Bringing all these stakeholders together is essential to achieve the synergies needed to make accessible tourism grow.
Similarly to what already happens in the general tourism industry, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be an essential facilitator in the development of this submarket. In fact, many difficulties encountered by tourists with specific needs are related to physical accessibility barriers, including transportation restrictions. ICT can be used to allow these groups to access relevant information, customized to their specific needs or disabilities. If a group has communication difficulties, ICT can frequently help by providing information in a more appropriate way.
For people with disabilities, ICT applications can even be more important than for the common tourist. This class of users must receive fully reliable information about accessibility before booking travel and accommodation. If the information provided is found not to be reliable or proper, the consequences can be significant harder than for other tourists, making part, or even the totality, of the planned activities impossible to complete.
Fortunately, the generalized use of mobile computing devices, with ever increasing abilities in terms of communication, collaboration, mobility and interaction, has created many opportunities for software developers to provide reliable and easy to use applications to assist people, and specifically people with disabilities, in their tourism and travel activities. These applications have the potential to leverage the access to vast data resources and provide users with relevant and accurate information, tailored to the specific needs of the user, and presented with interaction mechanisms adequate to any existing disability.