THE COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY IN THE PLANNING OF SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLE TOURIST DESTINATIONS

A CONCEPTUAL THEORETICAL ESSAY

Abstract

The debate on tourism planning and management based on the ideas of accessibility, sustainability and social responsibility is part of the contemporary scenario. The literature already recognizes them as interchangeable concepts and notably considers the proposals of sustainability and social responsibility as current paradigms that guide the reading of tourism and should be conducted through social inclusion. Although they present common principles based on an ethical and citizen perspective, such concepts are discussed in a dissociated way with practices, often exclusionary, that violate the very principles that govern them. Considering the facts discussed, the question arises as to whether the qualifier “responsible” and/or “sustainable” should be used in a destination where there is no concern with the social inclusion of people with disabilities, whether they are tourists or residents. Thus, the broader dimension intended with the research is to discuss how the commitment to accessibility should be addressed in the planning of destinations that intend to develop tourism practice under the ideals of sustainability and social responsibility. This article, prepared through bibliographic research, is characterized by its reflective, interpretative and critical nature, as a theoretical-conceptual essay. Due to the lack of studies of this paradigmatic interrelationship that constitutes a gap in the literature, the results of this research aim to contribute to the formation of a theoretical-conceptual framework that supports new investigations (academic contributions) and/or guides more structured actions by public and private tourism managers (managerial contributions).