The acknowledgment of tourism-focused discourse as a fundamental citizen right has increased attention in tourism research and policy toward the travel experiences of diverse groups who were previously denied meaningful opportunities to enjoy travel. Among these groups are individuals with specific needs, such as those with physical disabilities, who often encounter significant—but not inherent—barriers and challenges in seeking fulfilling tourism experiences. Using artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce or remove these obstacles can be seen as a strategic method to achieve accessible travel and tourism. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the technological capabilities of AI in meeting the needs of blind travelers. To accomplish this, a qualitative approach was adopted, employing a phenomenological method and semi-structured interviews as the main research tools. The study involved 23 blind travelers and 10 experts in tourism and artificial intelligence. To ensure research quality, methods such as external auditing, triangulation, and member checking (sharing findings with participants) were applied. The results reveal that the needs of blind travelers in tourism can be grouped into themes including the preservation of human dignity, the need to maintain independence, the requirement for a comprehensive understanding of the environment, protection from potential environmental hazards, among others. The thematic analysis suggests that AI and related technologies in the tourism sector can effectively address the travel needs of blind tourists, especially in domestic travel contexts. An evaluation of AI performance indicators and its current use in Iran underscores the need to revise the country’s AI policies.
Raji,Z. (2025). "Recognizing the Capacities of Artificial Intelligence in Meeting the Needs of Blind Tourists (The Case of Iran)". Tourism management studies of the smart era, 2(2), 42-58. doi: 10.22072/tmsse.2025.2062927.1029
MLA
Raji,Z. . ""Recognizing the Capacities of Artificial Intelligence in Meeting the Needs of Blind Tourists (The Case of Iran)"", Tourism management studies of the smart era, 2, 2, 2025, 42-58. doi: 10.22072/tmsse.2025.2062927.1029
HARVARD
Raji Z. (2025). '"Recognizing the Capacities of Artificial Intelligence in Meeting the Needs of Blind Tourists (The Case of Iran)"', Tourism management studies of the smart era, 2(2), pp. 42-58. doi: 10.22072/tmsse.2025.2062927.1029
CHICAGO
Z. Raji, ""Recognizing the Capacities of Artificial Intelligence in Meeting the Needs of Blind Tourists (The Case of Iran)"," Tourism management studies of the smart era, 2 2 (2025): 42-58, doi: 10.22072/tmsse.2025.2062927.1029
VANCOUVER
Raji Z. "Recognizing the Capacities of Artificial Intelligence in Meeting the Needs of Blind Tourists (The Case of Iran)". Tourism management studies of the smart era, 2025; 2(2): 42-58. doi: 10.22072/tmsse.2025.2062927.1029
