FEATURES OF THE EMOTIONAL SPHERE OF TOURISTS WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

Introduction. The modern development of tourism is increasingly focused on the principles of inclusion, which necessitates the need to take into account the needs of persons with disabilities as full participants in the tourism process. One of the determining factors in the quality of their tourist experience is the emotional sphere, which affects the level of travel satisfaction, integration into the social environment, and the formation of a positive image of the destination. Despite the growing number of scientific studies on the problem of inclusive tourism, the aspect of the emotional experiences of this category of tourists remains insufficiently studied in Ukrainian scientific discourse. Purpose and objectives of the article. The purpose of the article is to determine the features of the emotional sphere of tourists with disabilities and to substantiate recommendations for the development of inclusive tourism, taking into account the emotional needs of this category of people. To achieve the goal, the following tasks were set: to analyze scientific approaches to studying the emotional sphere of tourists with disabilities; to identify its key components; to determine the impact of emotions on the quality of the tourist experience; to propose practical steps to increase the emotional comfort of people with disabilities in the tourist environment. Conclusions. The article substantiates that the emotional sphere of tourists with disabilities has the following main components: emotional sensitivity, anxiety, the need for recognition and self-esteem, the joy of discovery and knowledge, as well as emotional support. It has been shown that these factors determine the level of trust in society, willingness to engage in social interaction, and repeat participation in tourist trips. Attention is focused on the role of inclusive practices, including accessibility audits, consultations with civil society organizations, staff training based on empathy, and intersectoral cooperation with cultural and educational institutions. It has been established that the implementation of such practices will contribute not only to the reduction of psychological barriers, but also to the formation of a positive emotional environment that stimulates the development of inclusive tourism.