From Disabled Tourists to Impaired Cyborg Tourists: What Would it Take to Transform?

This thesis aims to comprehensively examine the antecedents of tourists with mobility disabilities (TMD)’s acceptance to use and utilize technological implants during traveling. This study is structured with four specific research questions: 1) Are TMD willing to travel as impaired cyborg tourists? 2) What are the antecedents of TMD’ acceptance to travel as impaired cyborg tourists to/in a destination? 3) What is the effect of the attributes of innovation diffusion on the subjective wellbeing of tourists with mobility disability during traveling? and 4) What is the effect of subjective well being, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions regarding the use of technological implants on the behavioral intentions of TMD during traveling? The research design encompasses a sequential exploratory mixed-method approach. Initially, this research has conducted an exploratory qualitative study which involved conducting a video-induced in-depth interviews to explore their perceptions, attitudes, and concerns regarding the use of technological implants during traveling. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring themes and patterns within the data, elucidating two main themes: the use of assistive devices during traveling with four sub-themes. Drawing on the theoretical foundations of innovation diffusion theory, the UTAUT and the results from the qualitative study, a comprehensive quantitative model was developed. The findings of the research demonstrate strong support for all six hypotheses tested, affirming that all the three attributes of innovation diffusion theory including autonomy, perceived convenience, and social inclusion has a significant positive affect on subjective well-being of TMD to use technological implants during traveling. Subjective well-being, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions had also a significant effect on TMD intention to use technological implants during traveling. This study contribute valuable empirical evidence, enhancing our understanding of the factors influencing the acceptance of technological implants among this particular tourist segment. Keywords: accessible tourism, impaired cyborg tourists, theory of innovation diffusion, tourists with disabilities, UTAUT.