EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PEOPLE IN THE TOURISM SECTOR: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

This paper analyses the factors affecting the employability of people with disabilities and, more specifically, discusses the underlying issues of professionals with disabilities’ integration in the tourism sector.

After a theoretical reflection on the theme, we present a set of empirical data collected in a study on employability in Lousã’s county. These data were collected through interview questioning and analysed qualitatively and quantitatively.

We may conclude that the tourism sector employers in Lousã’s county reveal a great openness in employing people with disabilities, and may even have experience in this regard. This employing process is limited mainly because of the reduced size and financial debility of these companies.