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. 2025 Apr 12:1-12.
doi: 10.1080/17483107.2025.2488391. Online ahead of print.

Enhancing happiness and well-being: AI-driven solutions for accessible, inclusive travel experiences for people with disabilities

Jorge Alberto Marino-Romero  1 , Rafael Robina-Ramírez  1 , Juan Antonio Pavón-Pérez  1 , Aloysius Osb Roets  1
Affiliations

Enhancing happiness and well-being: AI-driven solutions for accessible, inclusive travel experiences for people with disabilities

Jorge Alberto Marino-Romero et al. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. .

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores the relationship between happiness and well-being, with a particular focus on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) serves as a catalyst for enhancing the quality of life of individuals with disabilities. The research aims to analyze the impact of personal values, social interactions, and external conditions, including AI-driven assistive technologies, on subjective well-being.

Materials and methods: A quantitative approach was adopted, utilizing Smart-PLS to analyze the relationships between AI-based interventions, accessibility, and well-being. The study's sample consisted of 780 employees selected randomly from 50 disability centers across Spain. Data were collected through structured surveys measuring the impact of AI-powered assistive technologies-such as smart navigation systems, virtual assistants, and personalized travel recommendations-on accessibility, autonomy, and life satisfaction in tourism settings.

Results: Findings indicate that AI-based tools in tourism, such as smart mobility solutions, AI-powered customer service, and adaptive travel planning systems, significantly enhance the well-being of individuals with disabilities. AI fosters greater independence, reduces travel-related stress, and strengthens social connections, making tourism more inclusive and enjoyable. While economic stability and health conditions remain important, AI-driven accessibility solutions and social engagement emerged as the strongest predictors of happiness among travelers with disabilities.

Conclusions: The study highlights the critical role of AI-driven assistive technologies in promoting accessible tourism, emphasizing their impact on autonomy, mental well-being, and social participation. The results suggest that investing in AI-based innovations can significantly improve travel experiences for people with disabilities, fostering greater happiness and well-being in the tourism sector. However, emotional satisfaction is lacking, such as social connection, freedom and cultural immersion, which limits its impact on happiness.

Keywords: AI; Happiness; disability; inclusion; tourism; well-being.

Plain language summary

The research team considers the Implications for Rehabilitation an essential section because it bridges research with practical applications, highlighting how findings can enhance rehabilitation practices. It informs policymakers about innovative solutions—such as AI tools—that improve accessibility, autonomy, and well-being for people with disabilities. The implications for Rehabilitation are five: Enhanced Accessibility through AI: AI technologies, including advanced navigation systems and smart devices, provide tools that significantly enhance the accessibility of tourism for people with disabilities, promoting greater independence and reducing the need for external assistance during travel.Personalized Travel Experiences: AI-driven personalized services cater to the unique needs and preferences of disabled travelers, ensuring that specific accessibility requirements are met, leading to more comfortable and enjoyable tourism experiences.Autonomy and Confidence Building: By utilizing AI-based assistive technologies and real-time guidance, individuals with disabilities can travel with more autonomy, enhancing their confidence and overall happiness, which is crucial in rehabilitation and reintegration into broader social activities.Reduced Stress and Anxiety: AI tools, such as virtual simulators and real-time translation devices, help disabled travelers navigate unfamiliar environments with ease, reducing the anxiety and cognitive load often associated with travel. This contributes positively to their psychological well-being and rehabilitation outcomes.Data-Driven Service Improvement: Continuous AI-powered analysis of disabled travelers’ preferences and needs provides tourism operators with insights to improve services, ensuring that tourism remains accessible and accommodating, which can support long-term rehabilitation and inclusion goals.

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