Removing the Barriers to Improve Accessible Tourism: Α General Overview

Abstract The contribution of accessible tourism to sustainable development is significant. The in-depth analysis of this critical segment of the tourism industry offers valuable insights to tackle various challenges and enhance the travel and tourism experiences for people with disabilities (PwD). To this end, the current study focuses on the knowledge of experts. The focus group method was employed to discuss the issues highlighted earlier with participants of the seminar titled ‘Inclusive Tourism in Action’, which took place in Athens in May 2025. This seminar brought together tourism professionals and accessibility advocates to explore how inclusive design and services can enhance the attractiveness of destinations and make tourism more accessible to everyone, regardless of their functional abilities. The study’s moderator met with some of the seminar participants ( n = 8) and discussed the issues examined in the study. The participants were located in various European countries and had extensive experience with accessible tourism. The main findings of the study show that identifying the needs of PwD and the barriers that should be minimised through close cooperation among countries is essential. The study provides valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers to improve accessible tourism and its benefits by reducing barriers.