Accessible surf destinations : the case of Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growth in the travel of people with disabilities (PwD), which has led to an increase in demand for an accessible environment (infrastructure, transport, and services), and, thus, a growing recognition of the value of the accessible tourism segment. This study aims to explore the accessibility of the supply structures in a tourist destination through the analysis of the first European Adaptive Surfing Championship, held in the city of Viana do Castelo, in littoral northwest of Portugal. This study adopted a case-study approach by combining exploratory semi-structured interviews, direct observation (employing visual methods—photography), and face-to-face questionnaires applied to adaptive surf athletes. The case-study results showed that despite the efforts implemented by the adaptive event organizers, some constraints remained in the supply structures of the hosting seaside destination of Viana do Caste-lo. Particularly built infrastructures displayed some physical accessibility barriers in the parking lots and the absence of automatic and lifting equipments. By inquiring adaptive surf athletes and their technical teams, and despite overall satisfaction with the event, attributes such as walkways and information in accessible format were predominantly less satisfactory. The study presents managerial implications for the improvement of accessible nautical tourism destinations.