Tourism for Visitors to New Zealand with Mobility Problems: a West Coast Perspective

Rhodda, S. PhD

Tai Poutini Polytechnic

2007

Tai Poutini Polytechnic

Sandra Rhodda, contact information and profile, The New Zealand Tourism Research Institute at AUT: www.nztri.org/sandra-rhodda

Tai Poutini Polytechnic Greymouth contact information: http://tpp.ac.nz/contact.php

Tourism is New Zealand’s primary export earner, and the West Coast’s largest employer. There is a growing trend worldwide to cater to niche-tourism markets. People with disabilities represent a large and growing niche tourism market, one that New Zealand and the West Coast has not yet begun to fully exploit. This market has increasing discretionary funds and financial power, is articulate and web savvy, and very interested in travel. There is a significant opportunity for the West Coast to place itself as a region of excellence in tourism for people with disabilities. However, awareness of this market and the ability to cater for it is currently negligible. This report provides an overview of the access market, a preliminary examination of the provision of West Coast tourism services for people with disabilities, and suggests ways in which this large and growing market can be researched and developed.

Keywords:

Tourism, West coast, Mobility, Participation, Recreation, Outdoors, Disabilities, Walks, Access, Wheelchair access, Survey

Visit/Download now

Exploratory

International

Outdoor Recreation, Recreation

Tourists

Other setting, Outdoors

Accomodation and facilities, Commercial, Facilities (indoor), Facilities (outdoor), National Parks, Travel and Transport

Barriers, Benefits, Impacts - economic, Impacts- social, Participation, Tourism

1303

June 27, 2012