Evaluating the Impact of Policies on Inclusive Ecotourism for People with Disabilities: Accessibility, Community Awareness, Environmental Health, and Sustainability—A Systematic Review

Inclusive ecotourism promotes equal access, community participation, and environmental conservation, thereby generating both social and economic benefits.Although scholarly interest in inclusive ecotourism has increased, empirical research examining how specific policy frameworks address the needs of people with disabilities remains limited.This study presents a systematic review of the existing literature to evaluate the extent to which ecotourism policies enhance accessibility, foster community awareness, and support environmental sustainability.Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using the Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases.Of the 1,215 records identified, only seven studies met the inclusion criteria, indicating that research in this area is still at an early stage of development.The review highlights several key policy strategies, including the provision of accessible infrastructure, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of sustainability-oriented practices.However, the findings also reveal persistent challenges, such as weak policy enforcement, limited intersectoral collaboration, and gaps in physical infrastructure.By synthesizing insights related to accessibility, community awareness, and environmental policy, this study provides an integrated perspective to inform the development of more inclusive and sustainable ecotourism initiatives.It underscores the need for stronger cross-sector collaboration to address existing policy shortcomings and to promote tourism systems that equitably benefit all visitors, including individuals with disabilities.