Comparisons in Limited Mobility: Exploring the Shaping of Travel Experience for Individuals with Physical Disabilities

Tourism emerges as a focal point under the “new mobilities” paradigm. Current research, however, needs to address how groups with limited mobility navigate their travel experiences. This study delves into the tourism patterns of tourists with physical disabilities—a prominent mobility-limited demographic. Utilizing constructivist grounded theory through interviews, participatory observation, and online data collection, we discern that the tourism experience of those with physical disabilities is shaped dynamically by “comparison” across four orientations: time, space, self, and others. This multidimensional comparison transitions from tangible tourism to profound experiential realms, defining their unique travel experiences. “Comparison” is identified as a core microgenetic mechanism, challenging existing psychological theories and potentially reshaping our understanding of the experiential processes for all tourist groups, not just those with mobility limitations. The findings enrich our understanding of mobility-constrained tourism within the “new mobilities” paradigm, offering insights and practical implications for the tourism industry. This article is also available in [Chinese]. See supplemental material for details.