Disaster and emergency management in Türkiye’s accessible hotels: a holistic approach toward disability-inclusive planning

What the paper says

Purpose This study aims to address the security risks that individuals with disabilities may encounter while participating in tourism activities, specifically within the framework of disaster and emergency plans at accessible hotels in Türkiye. Design/methodology/approach The study utilizes a qualitative research approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 23 hotel managers, selected via purposive sampling, all of whom possess extensive experience in operating disability-friendly hotels. The interview data were subsequently analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings While operational processes for disaster scenarios are planned to some extent, such planning is reflected in only a limited number of practices. The results suggest that while significant emphasis is placed on pre-disaster preparedness, the management of the disaster event itself receives comparatively less attention. Accordingly, greater importance should be placed on practices specifically addressing the disaster response phase. Research limitations/implications The qualitative research design and the sample size – limited exclusively to accessible hotels in Türkiye – constrain the generalizability of the findings. Future studies could employ quantitative or mixed-methods designs to test the relationships identified in this research. Additionally, comparative studies across different countries and types of accommodation facilities are recommended. Practical implications The hotel industry should adopt accessibility principles as a fundamental criterion in pre-disaster planning processes and develop evacuation plans that enable individuals with disabilities to move independently. Social implications Social preparedness should be enhanced by clearly defining personnel roles and responsibilities prior to disasters, implementing regular and targeted training programs and ensuring expert certification. It is critically important to establish a coherent and holistic legislative framework that harmonizes accessibility and disaster management regulations. Originality/value The research presents unique data on disaster management from the perspective of hotel managers regarding guests with disabilities, specifically within the context of hotel operations and tourism management. As one of the few studies to utilize the disaster management cycle as a model and apply thematic analysis to the insights of tourism managers, it provides significant contributions to disaster planning and visitor management within accessible tourism.