"The possibility of knowing the city":

Hospitality experiences of visually impaired people in an accessible tourist activity

Abstract

The objective is to analyze the hospitality of the III Olho de Sogra Meeting in the perception of its visually impaired participants. As for the specific objectives: to point out the participants' understanding about the hospitality theme; to investigate the reasons that led them to participate in the Meeting; and to list the most hospitable places visited. Methodologically, the study is characterized as being of a descriptive and exploratory nature, carried out through bibliographic research and application of questionnaires with open questions in a qualitative approach. The main results point to: (i) the subjects' understanding of hospitality places the human-being as the central agent, associating it with well-receiving, well-welcoming and respect for their individuality; (ii) the main reasons for participating were having fun, integrating, meeting new people and enjoying the accessibility made available by the Meeting; and (iii) the most hospitable places were: Confectionery, CTG, Hostel, Public Library and Restaurant. It was possible to notice that there are tourists with visual impairment visiting Pelotas and that the city needs to be prepared to welcome these people both structurally and attitudinally.