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Assessing the impact of smart tourism on the accessibility of people living with mobility disabilities

Atanga, Barbara Apaalabono
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1586688586285019

Abstract Details

2020, MS, Kent State University, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration.
Several researchers have conducted studies investigating the challenges faced by people living with disabilities when they participate in tourism activities. Some of these barriers have been removed due to the implementation of the Americans with Disability Act. However informational challenges still exist even with the popularity of technology. Smart tourism has gained a lot of attention in recent times due to its potential to provide useful information that can remove the informational barriers that still exits. This research explores the characteristics of smart tourism platforms that are most important to people living with mobility challenges. In order to achieve this objective, this study adopted a qualitative approach. The researcher collected information from participants using in depth interviews. Five participants with mobility challenges were interviewed. Prior to the interview, participants downloaded the Disney experience app which has smart tourism features. Participants were encouraged to familiarize themselves with the app before the interview. Data collected were analyzed using the five-step approach for analyzing qualitative data designed by O’Connor and Gibson (2003). Direct quotations were also used to support finding. The results of the study revealed that information quality, personalization, and interactivity were the most important features to people living with mobility challenges when they used smart tourism platforms like that of Disney. Hospitality and tourism organizations therefore need to provide specific information about accessibility and desist from using the umbrella term “ADA accessible.” Also, personalization and interactivity must not be taken for granted.
Seon Jeong Lee (Advisor)
Kiwon Lee (Committee Member)
Aviad Israeli (Committee Member)
52 p.
Behavioral Sciences
Smart tourism, people living with mobility disabilities, personalization, information quality, interactivity, hospitality

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Atanga, B. A. (2020). Assessing the impact of smart tourism on the accessibility of people living with mobility disabilities [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1586688586285019

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Atanga, Barbara. Assessing the impact of smart tourism on the accessibility of people living with mobility disabilities. 2020. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1586688586285019.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Atanga, Barbara. "Assessing the impact of smart tourism on the accessibility of people living with mobility disabilities." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1586688586285019

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1586688586285019
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This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.