Commitments and Challenges to Accessible Tourism and Inclusive Hospitality

Accessible tourism and inclusive hospitality are reshaping the travel industry by placing equity, dignity, and universal access at the center of service design. Moving beyond basic compliance, this approach calls for a fundamental rethinking of how destinations, accommodations, and experiences are created to serve diverse populations. While progress has been made through improved infrastructure and digital tools, significant challenges remain, including funding constraints, limited professional training, and gaps in policy and awareness. At the same time, emerging technologies and cross-sector collaborations are driving new standards and opportunities for inclusion. In this evolving landscape, accessible tourism represents not only a social responsibility but also a pathway to innovation, growth, and more meaningful global engagement. Commitments and Challenges to Accessible Tourism and Inclusive Hospitality systematizes knowledge about good practices in innovation and the promotion of inclusion projects and initiatives in tourism. Through an interdisciplinary approach, this book promotes good practices and innovations that improve accessibility and inclusion in the tourism and hospitality sector. Covering topics such as digital innovation, staff training, and universal design, this book is an excellent academic resource for graduate and doctoral students, hospitality professionals, hotel managers, destination planners, tourism operators, policymakers, urban planners, accessibility consultants, and more.

Adriano Costa has a PhD in Tourism from the University of Aveiro. He is an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Guarda - School of Tourism and Hotel Management. He is an associate of the Foundation for Science and Technology and a member of CITUR - Centre for Research, Development and Innovation in Tourism. His research areas are Tourism, Hospitality, Catering and Tourism Marketing.