Developing Universal Design to Support Tourism for All Creatively and Sustainbly

Abstract

This article aims to: (1) explain the development discourse of universal design on universal design in the tourism industry, emphasizing creativity and sustainability for all groups, and (2) propose ways to apply the concept of universal design in tourist areas in Thailand, which will help enhance the capacity to accommodate a diverse range of tourists. This academic article used a secondary data review by gathering data from academic documents, articles, research, news, and related situations.

The study found that: (1) the developing universal design to meet the needs of tourism for all groups creatively and sustainably has to promote equality, reduce inequality, expand the tourist base, enhance the quality of tourist attractions, and promote a positive image of the country; (2) the development of universal design for tourism should emphasize legal and policy development, the enhancement of accessible tourist attractions, the improvement of inclusive tourism services, the promotion of awareness and understanding, and the creation of economic incentives; (3) approaches to applying universal design in Thailand’s tourism sector encompass three key dimensions: accessibility to tourism facilities, legal and policy limitations, and public perception and understanding of the universal design concept; (4) the current situation of universal design in Thailand’s tourism sector starts with public transportation, which plays a crucial role in providing access to tourist destinations. This ranges from urban areas with a high degree of universal design integration to natural tourist attractions.

To ensure that the development of universal design in Thailand's tourism sector can meet the needs of tourism for all groups way, the following recommendations are proposed: (1) policy recommendations include enforcing laws, allocating budgets, and promoting cooperation; (2) practical recommendations include training and developing personnel in the tourism sector and raising awareness; and (3) academic recommendations include supporting research, academic services, and the development of new technologies that can create innovations in design and technology to enhance convenience and safety in tourism.