Digital inequality in inclusive tourism: assessment of structural imbalances and technological gaps

Abstract

Introduction. Currently, the problem of inclusivity in general and ensuring accessibility of tourism for people with disabilities has transformed from a peripheral social task into one of the central indicators of the quality of life and maturity of civil society. Tourism, being not only a branch of the economy, but also a form of social activity, cultural exchange and self-realization, is an important marker of social inclusion. The article is devoted to the analysis of digital inequality as a systemic barrier to the development of inclusive tourism. The relevance of the topic is due to the contradiction between the enormous potential of digital technologies to ensure the accessibility of tourism and the risk of creating new forms of social exclusion for people with disabilities.Purpose. Assessment of the structural imbalances and technological gaps that shape digital inequalities in inclusive tourism, and shaping strategic directions and tactical measures to build an effective digital ecosystem, able to ensure the accessibility of tourist services for all nosological groups of people with disabilities.Methods. Categorical, classification and comparative analysis, statistical data processing methods, evolutionary-historical approach, content analysis and case study, institutional approach.Results. Analysis of the author's database of implemented cases revealed a number of key imbalances. First, there is a pronounced nosological gap: most solutions are created for people with musculoskeletal and visual impairments, while projects for individuals with mental characteristics and multiple pathologies are isolated. Secondly, there is a significant technological lag of Russian solutions (medium-complexity web applications) behind foreign counterparts utilizing artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies. Thirdly, an extreme territorial and sectoral concentration of projects in capital museums and transport infrastructure was identified, with a deficit in the regions and in such segments as the hospitality industry and food service.Conclusions. To overcome digital inequality and transition from fragmented solutions to a universal ecosystem, a set of measures is necessary. Strategically, it is required to formulate a national program, develop partnerships between IT companies, the tourism business, and NGOs, as well as establish competence centers. Tactically, it is important to create a unified registry of digital solutions and stimulate cross-platform development. Only systematic institutional work will make it possible to realize the social and economic potential of inclusive tourism.