ACCESSIBILITY IN ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS: THE USE OF INNOVATIVE PROCESSES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TOURISTS WITH DISABILITIES

ABSTRACT:

The general objective of the article is to analyze the use of innovative processes to meet the needs of people with disabilities in accommodation establishments located near the attractions of the Historic Center of Manaus. Its specific objectives are: to characterize disability and accessible tourism, based on the academic literature and the Brazilian legislation; to identify, in the Brazilian legislation, the requirements that must be met by the hotel network in order to meet the needs of people with disabilities; to characterize innovation in hotel management based on the academic literature and; to analyze whether there are innovative hotel management practices for meeting the needs of people with disabilities through accommodation. In terms of methodological procedures, the inductive method was used, with the quantitative approach, exploratory and descriptive research objectives, and bibliographic and field procedures. The sample included eighteen accommodation establishments. The research found that the accommodation establishments located near the attractions of the Historic Center of Manaus do not use innovative processes for the care management of guests with disabilities. The unique point of this article is that it addresses the requirements for accommodation establishments set out in the legislation, in light of the recent regulatory Decree issued in 2018.

KEYWORDS:
Accessible tourism; Accommodation establishments; Innovation