Accessible Tourism in Protected Natural Areas: An Empirical Study in the Lazio Region

Maria Giovina Pasca, Grazia Chiara Elmo, Gabriella Arcese, Giulio Mario Cappelletti and Olimpia Martucci
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Maria Giovina Pasca: Faculty of Economics, Niccolò Cusano University, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi n. 3, 00166 Rome, Italy
Grazia Chiara Elmo: Department of Economics, Business, Mathematics and Statistics, University of Trieste, Via Valerio n. 4/1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Gabriella Arcese: Faculty of Economics, Niccolò Cusano University, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi n. 3, 00166 Rome, Italy
Giulio Mario Cappelletti: Department of Economics, Management and Territory, University of Foggia, Via A. da Zara, 10, 71121 Foggia, Italy
Olimpia Martucci: Department of Business Studies, Roma Tre University, Via Silvio D’Amico n. 77, 00145 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: The article aims to analyze the state of the art on services provided by protected natural areas in the Lazio region. The paper highlights the strengths and the aspects to improve in these protected natural areas to promote and incentivize accessible and inclusive tourism. An empirical investigation involving the region of Lazio (Italy) was performed, adopting a quantitative research design. First, the authors collected secondary data on the protected natural areas in the region and on the services available. Then, a questionnaire was used to quantitatively investigate the services provided to meet the needs of tourists with disabilities. The findings show that the structures provide essential services, such as marked paths, equipped bathrooms, various aids to overcome obstacles along the visit route and flooring that allows accessible transit. However, there is a need to invest in staff training and continuously update information on the websites. It is important to address the lack of information on the needs and expectations of disabled individuals.

Keywords: accessible tourism; protected natural areas; Lazio; tourism; disability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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