Inclusive tourism for people with a mobility disability in Zimbabwe

Abstract: In this 21st Century, the global increasing population of disabled people has led to the demand for the inclusion of the mobility disability in various sectors of life, among them, the tourism sector. imminent. The demand by the tourists with mobility disability to access tourism facilities triggered the need to carry out this research. The study identified the importance of inclusive tourism for people with mobility disabilities, the barriers faced as well as the strategies to make the tourism more inclusive for people with mobility disabilities in Zimbabwe. The research aimed at benefitting tourism service providers and various stakeholders. The research framework was guided by the Human Rights Theory of Change and Results Framework, with the theoretical model underpinning the study being the human rights model of disability. The abductive research approach was used together with a qualitative methodological choice. A case study approach was used and research participants were identified as follows, 10 management from Hospitality companies,5 Zimbabwe Council for Tourism Officials, 5 Ministry of Environmental, Tourism and Hospitality Officials, 5 Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Officials, 5 National Association of Societies for the care of the Handicapped (NASCOH) Officials and 10 people with mobility disability. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and questionnaires. With regards to the importance of inclusivity of people with mobility disability, the research findings were that organisations gained monetary value, enhanced corporate image and reputation, despite the low attendance of people with mobility disability. The research also found out the mobility disability clients faced infrastructural, attitudinal and other barriers affecting their involvement in the tourism sector. Another challenge noted was that less collaboration was being carried out between tourism-related organisations and the NASCOH. The research also found out that various strategies which include infrastructural developments, education and awareness for attitudinal change amongst staff and employees,introducing concessionary rates to encourage tourism for the mobility disability, corporate social responsibility sponsoring tourism for the mobility disability and continuous improvement. Collaboration was noted to be viable strategy enhancing inclusivity of people with mobility disability. Although the Zimbabwean government was found wanting in the provision of financial assistance to the tourism service providers to better ensure inclusivity for tourists with mobility disability. However, the government involvement in policy formulation, has to be appreciated. The research finally recommends that the Zimbabwean government introduce financial assistance that can benefit the tourists with mobility disability. Multiple baseline surveys are also recommended in the various sectors of tourism to review the effectiveness of the inclusivity of people with mobility disability.