
Destination Tourism for All: Transforming Hospitality through Accessibility Features, Guest Experience, and Loyalty in Hotels
Abstract
This research explores the intersection of accessibility, inclusivity, and guest loyalty within hotels, focusing on people with disabilities, elderly travelers, and families with children. Anchored in the principles of "Tourism for All," the study evaluates perceptions, experiences, and loyalty levels of diverse traveler groups regarding accessibility features in Bangkok's hotels. Utilising a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates quantitative data from 401 international tourists with qualitative insights from industry stakeholders, yielding a comprehensive under-standing of accessibility's role in shaping guest satisfaction and retention. Findings underscore that positive perceptions and experiences with accessibility features are pivotal in enhancing guest loyalty, mediated by well-maintained amenities and trained staff. Structural barriers, inadequate sensory accommodations, and inconsistent service quality emerged as critical challenges. The study highlights the under-addressed needs of neurodiverse travelers, emphasising the urgency for tailored interventions like sensory-friendly environments and personalised services. This research advances actionable strategies, including design innovations, digital accessibility, and comprehensive staff training, to foster inclusivity while aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 11. By ad-dressing these gaps, the hospitality sector can redefine guest experiences, ensuring that accessibility transcends compliance to become a strategic advantage. The findings contribute to the academic discourse on accessible tourism and offer practical recommendations for industry practitioners to create sustainable, inclusive hospitality environments that resonate with diverse global audiences.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/sajth.v4i2.97 | Journal eISSN: 2756-911X
Language: English
Page range: 68 - 117
Published on: Dec 30, 2024
Published by: Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Keywords:
© 2024 Sarinya La-ong-in Thayarnsin, published by Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.