본 연구는 제주도 복지관광 프로그램에 참여한 장애인의 관광경험을 정성적 방법을 통해 고찰하였다. 관광제약과 촉진이론을 바탕으로 장애인의 관광 활동을 관찰한 본 연구는 장애인이 여행 과정에서 경험하는 관광제약 요인과 촉진 요인을 시간적 흐름에 따라 분석하였다. 분석 결과 출발 및 이동에서는 장애인의 관광에 대한 불안함을 해소해주기 위해서는 관광의 흥미를 충분히 자극해 주어야 하고 관광지라는 낯선 곳에 도착하였을 때 장애인에게 필요한 것은 장애인의 기분을 배려하는 봉사와 도움을 제공하도록 관심을 기울여야 한다. 세 번째, 관광 참가와 체험의 단계에서는 구조적 요인에 문제점이 많이 드러났기 때문에 물리적(교통, 숙박, 음식점, 관광지 등), 비 물리적(프로그램, 정보, 할인제도 등) 환경 개선을 통해서 장애인의 관광 접근성을 향상시켜야 한다. 마지막으로 관광 경험 공유 단계에서는 장애인 스스로 긍정적 추억과 감동을 간직할 수 있는 기회 마련이 중요함을 제안하였다.
Using in-depth interviews and observation techniques, this study attempts to identify various travel constraints disabled people perceive. We also aim to examine travel facilitating factors which are known to help individuals with disabilities participate in diverse leisure and travel activities. Study results suggest that disabled people are more likely to be motivated for travel participation when the respondents perceive safety in travel destinations and they are served in a hospitable manner. In addition to the security, tourists with disabilities tend to consider memory as an important concern. Based on the results, this study provides an important management implication: a series of social welfare systems as well as physical infrastructures should be developed to improve the travel accessibility for disabled clientele because they are likely to perceive several structural barriers as the most principal constraining factor.
Using in-depth interviews and observation techniques, this study attempts to identify various travel constraints disabled people perceive. We also aim to examine travel facilitating factors which are known to help individuals with disabilities participate in diverse leisure and travel activities. Study results suggest that disabled people are more likely to be motivated for travel participation when the respondents perceive safety in travel destinations and they are served in a hospitable manner. In addition to the security, tourists with disabilities tend to consider memory as an important concern. Based on the results, this study provides an important management implication: a series of social welfare systems as well as physical infrastructures should be developed to improve the travel accessibility for disabled clientele because they are likely to perceive several structural barriers as the most principal constraining factor.
