Accessibility of Tourist Attractions for Individuals with Disabilities as a Factor in the Development of Inclusive Tourism: Example of the Świętokrzyskie Region—Poland

Klaudia Chwaja, Błażej Chwaja, Iwona Marczak () and Zygmunt Kruczek
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Klaudia Chwaja: Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, University of Culture Physical in Kraków, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
Błażej Chwaja: Faculty of Sports Management and Tourism, Academy of Physical Education, 40-065 Katowice, Poland
Iwona Marczak: Faculty of Motor Rehabilitation, University of Culture Physical in Kraków, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
Zygmunt Kruczek: Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, University of Culture Physical in Kraków, 31-571 Kraków, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-28

Abstract: The number of individuals with disabilities around the world and in Poland is constantly increasing. Social inclusion, anti-discrimination, and social integration are among the Sustainable Development Goals, which include inclusive tourism. Fostering inclusion in the tourism industry contributes to improving quality of life in marginalised communities, community involvement in tourism development planning, and ethical activities related to the production and consumption of tourism services. Making attractions accessible to people with disabilities also contributes to enriching the tourist offerings of a region. The aim of this study is to assess the accessibility of tourist attractions in the Świętokrzyskie region, located in central Poland. The natural, cultural, and historical attractions there create potential for the development of various forms of tourism. The accessibility of 20 major tourist attractions for people with mobility, sight, and hearing impairments was examined. The results indicate a varying level of adaptation of facilities to the needs of the surveyed groups. Recreation and entertainment facilities are the best adapted, while sacred and historical facilities are the least adjusted. The majority of adaptations were directed towards individuals with mobility impairments, with blind and partially sighted people as well as deaf and partially hearing people often being overlooked. The identified barriers to adaptation included the excessive cost of adaptation and the limitations of the historic nature of the building. The inadequate preparation of attraction staff to support disabled individuals was also highlighted, as well as the importance of modern technology in creating accessibility and the need to promote inclusion among attraction managers and in regional policy. The article also includes an analysis of the local government’s measures aimed at social inclusion.

Keywords: inclusive tourism; people with disabilities; Świętokrzyskie region; attractions; accessibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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