Public Transport and Accessible Tourism: Analysis in a Spanish UNESCO World Heritage City
Publication: Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 150, Issue 1
Abstract
Currently, people with disabilities represent an important potential growth market for the tourism sector because of their increasing participation in the sector. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 1.3 billion people with disabilities in the world. In Spain, this segment consists of more than 4.38 million people. People with disabilities are increasingly participating in tourism activities, but there are still many obstacles and barriers that hinder their inclusion and make it difficult for them to access tourism resources and services. Public transport plays an essential role in the tourism value chain by facilitating access to destinations. The objective of this study is to determine the degree of accessibility for people with physical disabilities in the public transport infrastructure in the city of Segovia, Spain, specifically train stations, city bus stops, and taxi stands. They have been analyzed through field observations, distinguishing between critical and noncritical aspects (although these are included in the Spanish legislation). Despite the progress made in the accessibility of public transport, not all the requirements laid down in the current regulations have been met, and there are still barriers that people with disabilities face in order to enjoy a fully accessible tourism offer.
Practical Applications
This study contributes to a wider society by highlighting the need for further improvements in the accessibility of public transport for people with disabilities in the city of Segovia, Spain. The findings of this study can be used by civil engineers, policymakers, and stakeholders to identify areas that require attention and investment to make the city more accessible and move toward a fully accessible tourist destination. The methodology used in this study can also be replicated in other municipalities to evaluate the accessibility of public transport to people with disabilities. This can have a positive impact on the quality of life of people with disabilities by increasing their participation in tourism activities and improving their overall well-being, and by implementing the identified improvements, it can have a positive impact on the tourism industry by increasing the potential growth market for the sector in Segovia, Spain.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request, such as data collection sheets and tabulation of questionnaires.
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Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 150 • Issue 1 • March 2024
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: May 25, 2023
Accepted: Sep 29, 2023
Published online: Nov 7, 2023
Published in print: Mar 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Apr 7, 2024
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