Tourism and disability in Italy. Limits and opportunities

As society develops, the status of tourism changes from being socially desirable to being a necessity. No less so is this for those who have various physical and other disabilities. This paper examines secondary data derived from Italian sources to illustrate both the demand for tourism from those with disabilities, and the factors that both inhibit and enhance the opportunities they have for participation in tourism. It provides a geographical assessment of tourism provision within Italy and identifies areas of good and poor provision for this market segment. Implications for tourist providers are discussed.