A comparative analysis of tourism experiences between persons with autism and down syndrome

Merve Bulut

doi:10.31822/jomat.2025-10-3-8

TR EN

Otizmli ve Down Sendromlu Kişilerin Turizm Deneyimlerinin Karşılaştırmalı Analizi

Abstract

Bu çalışma, ileri düzeyde otizm spektrum bozukluğu olan bireyler ile Down sendromlu bireylerin turizm deneyimlerini, iki odak grup görüşmesi aracılığıyla karşılaştırmaktadır. Otizmli ve Down sendromlu bireylerin ebeveynleriyle yapılan odak grup mülakatlarında dört tema belirlenmiştir: konaklama temelli deneyimler, seyahat temelli deneyimler, duygusal deneyimler ve destinasyon temelli deneyimler. Bu temalar QDA Miner yazılımı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, her iki grup arasında hem benzerlikler hem de farklılıklar olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Grup 1 (ağır otizmi olan bireyler), daha fazla duygusal zorluk yaşamış, ancak hikâye anlatımı tekniklerini kaygıyı azaltmada etkili bulmuştur. Turizm deneyimlerinde alışılmış satın alma (davranışı) kalıpları ve adaptif (uyumlu) karar alma davranışları sergilemişlerdir. Grup 2 (Down sendromlu bireyler) ise daha az zorluk yaşamış ve turizm aktivitelerine Grup 1'e kıyasla daha kolay katılım sağlamıştır. Bu çalışma, turizm alanı ve ilgili disiplinler için değerli içgörüler sunmakta, bu grupların özgün ihtiyaçlarının anlaşılmasını geliştirmektedir.

Keywords

Ağır düzeyde otizm spektrum bozukluğu, turizm deneyimleri, Down sendromu, Kapsayıcı turizm, odak grup görüşmesi

A comparative analysis of tourism experiences between persons with autism and down syndrome

Abstract

This study compares the tourism experiences of adolescents and adults with severe autism and those with Down syndrome by comparing the tourism experiences of these two groups through two focus group interviews. Focus group interviews with parents of persons with autism and Down syndrome identified four themes: accommodation-based experiences, travel-based experiences, emotional experiences, and destination-based experiences, which were analyzed using QDA Miner software. The findings revealed both similarities and differences. Group 1 (with severe autism) faced more emotional challenges but found storytelling techniques effective in reducing anxiety. In tourism experiences, they displayed habitual buying patterns and adaptive decision-making behavior. Group 2 (with Down syndrome) encountered fewer difficulties and engaged more easily in tourism activities than Group 1. This study provides valuable insights for the tourism field and related disciplines, advancing the understanding of the unique needs of these groups.

Keywords

Severe autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, tourism experiences, inclusive tourism, focus group interview

Ethical Statement

This research was conducted by the Declaration of Helsinki, and ethics committee approval for the study was obtained from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University in 2024. Participants were informed that the anonymized findings would only be used for scientific purposes and that participation was voluntary.

Thanks

We extend our gratitude to parents who participate in the interviews and contribute to the study with their comments. Special thanks to Cihan Bulut for proofreading this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Tourism (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Merve Bulut ^*
0000-0001-6694-095X
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 15, 2025

Publication Date

December 21, 2025

Submission Date

February 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 14, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31822/jomat.2025-10-3-8

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA82PK85ZR

APA

Bulut, M. (2025). A comparative analysis of tourism experiences between persons with autism and down syndrome. Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic Tourism, 10(3), 347-358. https://doi.org/10.31822/jomat.2025-10-3-8

AMA

1.Bulut M. A comparative analysis of tourism experiences between persons with autism and down syndrome. Jomat. 2025;10(3):347-358. doi:10.31822/jomat.2025-10-3-8

Chicago

Bulut, Merve. 2025. “A Comparative Analysis of Tourism Experiences Between Persons With Autism and down Syndrome”. Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic Tourism 10 (3): 347-58. https://doi.org/10.31822/jomat.2025-10-3-8.

EndNote

Bulut M (December 1, 2025) A comparative analysis of tourism experiences between persons with autism and down syndrome. Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic Tourism 10 3 347–358.

IEEE

[1]M. Bulut, “A comparative analysis of tourism experiences between persons with autism and down syndrome”, Jomat, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 347–358, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.31822/jomat.2025-10-3-8.

ISNAD

Bulut, Merve. “A Comparative Analysis of Tourism Experiences Between Persons With Autism and down Syndrome”. Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic Tourism 10/3 (December 1, 2025): 347-358. https://doi.org/10.31822/jomat.2025-10-3-8.

JAMA

1.Bulut M. A comparative analysis of tourism experiences between persons with autism and down syndrome. Jomat. 2025;10:347–358.

MLA

Bulut, Merve. “A Comparative Analysis of Tourism Experiences Between Persons With Autism and down Syndrome”. Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic Tourism, vol. 10, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 347-58, doi:10.31822/jomat.2025-10-3-8.

Vancouver

1.Merve Bulut. A comparative analysis of tourism experiences between persons with autism and down syndrome. Jomat. 2025 Dec. 1;10(3):347-58. doi:10.31822/jomat.2025-10-3-8

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Otizmli ve Down Sendromlu Kişilerin Turizm Deneyimlerinin Karşılaştırmalı Analizi

Abstract

Keywords

A comparative analysis of tourism experiences between persons with autism and down syndrome

Abstract

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

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