Understanding how tourists with disabilities’ perceptions of residents’ emotional solidarity influence their behavioural intention: the mediating role of perceived fairness

Abstract

Tourists with disabilities face several constraints when travelling, including interpersonal issues. The intergroup contact theory suggests that intergroup contact can diminish social prejudice. This study aims to understand how tourists with disabilities’ perceptions of residents’ emotional solidarity influence their attitude and behavioural intention towards a destination and the mediating role of perceived fairness. A systematic sampling survey was conducted among 359 tourists with disabilities in China. The results revealed that emotional closeness and sympathetic understanding had a positive effect on perceived fairness and attitude towards the destination, but a welcoming nature affected attitude alone. Ultimately, perceived fairness and the attitude towards the destination impacted behavioural intention. Additionally, the results confirmed the mediating role of perceived fairness between emotional solidarity and behavioural intention. The contribution of this study to accessible tourism research is to provide a model that helps to explain how tourists with disabilities’ psychological mechanisms and behavioural patterns are affected by favourable interpersonal relationships with destinations. In short, it promotes the concept of perceived fairness. The study also argues that greater social inclusion contributes to the quest for good health and well-being (SDG #3), equality (SDG #10), and inclusive and sustainable cities (SDG #11).