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Family travel among people with autism: challenges and support needs

Zhiyue Zhao (School of Tourism and Hotel Management, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, China)
Da Shi (Surrey International Institute, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, China)
Xiaoxiao Qi (School of Tourism and Hotel Management, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, China)
Yawen Shan (School of Tourism and Hotel Management, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, China)
Xiyi Liu (Surrey International Institute, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, China)

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management

ISSN: 0959-6119

Article publication date: 31 May 2023

Issue publication date: 3 November 2023

443

Abstract

Purpose

People with autism and their families struggle with travel because of its complexity. This study aims to promote travel participation by exploring the travel needs and patterns of people with autism and their families.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 28 participants were interviewed. Data were analyzed via constructivist grounded theory.

Findings

People with autism and their families displayed five travel patterns: mutual support, relatives’ visitation, independent travel, expanded socialization and package tours. These patterns were adopted in a stepwise fashion as the autistic individuals’ abilities improved. The travel challenges and support needs of Chinese autistic people and their families were identified.

Practical implications

The findings can inform accessibility tourism, promote an understanding of autistic people’s tourism activities among the public and industry marketers and offer strategic guidance about family travel for this population.

Originality/value

This effort responds to a call to investigate disability-related issues. The study evaluated the travel behavior of people with autism and their families, from a developmental perspective, presenting a new angle in research on accessibility tourism.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The research team would like to express their appreciation to all participants and the staff of AiNa and the Little Dolphin Autism Services Center, without their support, this paper would not have been completed. The authors wish all families a happy life.

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.

Citation

Zhao, Z., Shi, D., Qi, X., Shan, Y. and Liu, X. (2023), "Family travel among people with autism: challenges and support needs", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 35 No. 11, pp. 3743-3763. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-10-2022-1229

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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