Beaches for Everyone? Marine Tourism for Mobility Impaired Visitors in Busan, Korea

• Published in: Journal of coastal research Vol. 114; no. sp1; pp. 375 - 379
• Main Authors: Nam-Jo, Sandy Kyunghwa, Kim, Kwi-Baek, Oh, Changho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fort Lauderdale Coastal Education and Research Foundation 06.10.2021; Allen Press Publishing; Allen Press Inc
• Subjects: Ageing; Aging; Beach wheelchair; Beaches; Coastal inlets; Coastal management; COASTAL POLICY APPROACH; Coastal research; Geriatrics; international tourism destination; Marine tourism; Mobility; mobility-impaired travelers; Older people; sea bath; Surveying; Tourism; Travel; Wheelchairs; World population; South Korea
• ISSN: 0749-0208; 1551-5036
• DOI: 10.2112/JCR-SI114-076.1

Nam-Jo, S.K.; Kim, K.-B., and Oh, C., 2021. Beaches for everyone? Marine tourism for mobility impaired visitors in Busan, Korea. In: Lee, J.L.; Griffiths, T.; Lotan, A.; Suh, K-S, and Lee, J. (eds.), Crisis and Integrated Management for Coastal and Marine Safety. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 114, pp. 375-379. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. As an international tourism destination, the needs of all travelers must be accommodated, especially those of mobility-impaired visitors. However, the number of tour agencies that accommodate disabled tourists is woefully inadequate, with only seven operating in Korea. As senior citizens constitute a growing proportion of the world population, the number of wheelchair users will surely increase as well. Busan also faces the current issue of an ageing population, with highest proportion of elderly residents in the nation. This study is the first to examine the needs and preferences for marine tourism among the mobility-impaired population in Korea with beach wheelchair experience. The results of the survey conducted among 110 beach wheelchair users revealed a significantly high level of satisfaction with the tour and expressed their intent to return. These results highlight the need for the development of tourism policies and the tourism environment for physically impaired travelers. Furthermore, tourism budgets should be used to better accommodate mobility-impaired travelers, and to improve the city's standard as an international tourism destination.