The Gap Between Tourism Research and Accessible Reality in Portugal

Researchers Jorge Umbelino, Flávio Ferreira, Zanete Garanti, and Sotiroula Liasidou analyzed two decades of data, revealing that while the volume of academic literature has climbed, postgraduate engagement remains remarkably thin. Between 2011 and 2025, Portuguese repositories recorded only eight doctoral theses and 46 master's dissertations focused on inclusive tourism, representing a negligible fraction of total tourism-related academic output. This lack of educational depth suggests that the field’s international visibility has not yet prompted a structural shift in university curricula or professional training programs.

Infrastructure growth tells a similarly fragmented story. The number of hotels reporting at least three adapted units rose from 60 in 2005 to 219 in 2025. However, this progress is geographically inconsistent. While Alentejo leads with 17.9% of its accommodation stock meeting the criteria, other regions lag significantly, with the Azores hovering at just 4.7%. The authors caution that these figures rely on self-reported data rather than independent audits, leaving a wide margin between policy compliance and actual usability. To close this divide, the study advocates for mandatory accessibility training for staff and the inclusion of people with disabilities as primary partners in the design of tourism services.