Accessibility in historic centers: an exploratory analysis of brazilian tourist destinations using Tripadvisor

Abstract

Accessibility is a crucial issue for the quality of life of people with disabilities, reduced mobility, and the elderly, and also reflects the level of democratisation within a state. This study aimed to analyse TripAdvisor users’ perceptions of accessibility in Brazilian Historic Centres, including Florianópolis (SC), Ouro Preto (MG), São Luís (MA), Pirenópolis (GO), and Belém (PA). The research is qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive, based on a bibliographic review and documentary analysis. A total of 1,919 comments were examined, of which 319 (17%) referred to accessibility issues. The data were processed using the IRaMuTeQ software, generating a word cloud, similarity analysis, and hierarchical descending classification.The results indicated the importance of making accessibility a central topic in both academic research and public tourism management. Significant weaknesses were identified across the five Historic Centers, affecting visitor mobility and permanence, thus impacting economic and democratic aspects. The study also highlighted the increasing elderly population in Brazil, underscoring the urgency for improvements in these destinations.The research contributes to the debate on inclusive policies, especially for sites recognised by UNESCO and IPHAN, emphasising accessibility as a constitutional right, beyond being a market issue. It is hoped that these destinations will adapt to accommodate tourists and residents with mobility challenges. Limitations include the restricted number of locations analysed and the lack of similar studies focused on public tourism management. The study suggests further investigations, such as analyses of Brazilian capitals, cities within a specific state, or quantitative studies, to broaden the understanding of accessibility in tourism.