Accessible tourism development in the postsoviet country context: a case of Klaipėda city, Lithuania

Abstract

Accessible tourism is one of the scientific tourism studies concern that has been gaining more academic attention due to global demographic changes related to drastically growing disability rates and ageing population. This research took a qualitative approach to investigate accessible tourism situation, trends, and development in a post-Soviet country context. The case of this research – the old-town of Klaipėda city in Lithuania – was chosen for its great tourism potential. Although in the context of strategic planning documents of the Klaipėda city, the old-town is identified as a priority urban development area, the Lithuanian Association of People with Disabilities states that the territory is hardly suitable for people with access needs. Referring to qualitative methodological triangulation (document analysis, observation method applying photography method and semi-structured interview) and data content analysis, the authors examined the situation of tourism accessibility using I. Ambrose’s accessible tourism supply chain model, based on analysis of transport, information, services and infrastructure dimensions.