Keywords
Accessible tourism; Field configuring events; Social model of disability; Persons with disability; Physical disabilities; Mobility-restrictions; Tokyo 2020 olympic and paralympic games
Abstract
Able-bodied, and increasingly people with disabilities, represent a key audience for mega-events; occasions that act as crucibles where social problems endemic to host destinations can be exposed and tackled through targeted social policy. Drawing on the social model of disability, the paper examines how Japan utilised Tokyo 2020 as a field configuring event to disrupt systems of ableist thinking and tackle physical and attitudinal barriers restricting Persons with Disabilities (PwD) to accessible tourism. Qualitative evidence reveals national commitments to relegitimise, improve accessibility for - and acceptance toward - PwD in Japanese society, through transformations to the built environment, national awareness, and educational campaigns in the build up to Tokyo 2020. An over-emphasis on physical as opposed to social structural change mean negative attitudes often persist, where disability remains stigmatised, leading to PwD immobility and social exclusion. Our policy recommendations and managerial implications, alongside research directions attend to this disability-attitude gap.
Publication Date
9-2023
Original Citation
Duignan, M. B., Brittain, I., Hansen, M., Fyall, A., Gerard, S., & Page, S. (2023). Leveraging accessible tourism development through mega-events, and the disability-attitude gap. Tourism Management, 99, N.PAG. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2023.104766
Document Type
Paper
Language
English
Source Title
Tourism Management
Volume
99
Copyright Status
Author retained
Publication Version
Publisher's version
Rights
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
College
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Location
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
STARS Citation
Duignan, Michael; Brittain, Ian; Hansen, Marcus; Fyall, Alan; Gerard, Simon; and Page, Stephen, "Leveraging Accessible Tourism Development Through Mega-Events, and the Disability-Attitude Gap" (2023). Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 1232.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/ucfscholar/1232