Developing inclusive tourism products for families with children with autism spectrum disorder: understanding needs and preferences

Purpose This study examines the tourism needs and preferences of families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to identify guidelines for developing inclusive tourism offerings that target this group. It also addresses the lack of data by analysing how severity and developmental stage influence tourism preferences. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire was administered in five languages, and the respondents were 137 families from various countries. Analyses included descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests to identify significant variations in accordance with the severity of autism and the child’s developmental stage. Findings Children with ASD were shown to prefer outdoor activities in natural environments with low sensory stimulation, and most of their families value tailor-made tourism services and products. Differences in preferences were observed according to the severity of ASD and the stage of development. Practical implications The study emphasises the importance of adapting tourist spaces and services to meet children’s sensory and communication needs, including the provision of quiet spaces with sensory control of stimuli, visual resources, and professional training. The Azores, with natural landscapes, low population density, and sustainable practices, emerge as an ideal destination for this niche, needing, however, to adapt their offerings to this sort of demand. Originality/value With data collected from several countries, it offers a global perspective and fills theoretical gaps in the fields of inclusive and family tourism. This makes the study innovative and relevant for the development of inclusive tourism.