Accessibility of large events: an empirical study of the Expo 2020 Dubai

Abstract Event management is a growing sector in the tourism industry and one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The sector contributes significantly to global economies and provides substantial employment opportunities. Events are spaces for social interaction, education, leisure and opportunities. More recently, interest is being placed in making events accessible, yet the emerging body of research on accessibility, inclusion and diversity in events is still scarce. The objective of this paper is to contribute to understanding the accessibility of large events in an increasingly technology-dependent industry. With this purpose in mind, an evaluation of the accessibility of the Expo 2020 in Dubai has been conducted. Expos are events that showcase the latest technologies and innovation, are attended by million visitors and have hefty budgets. These factors make these events the ideal breeding ground for the implementation of advanced technologies. The study adopts a case study approach and draws on data from observation, in-depth interviews and online, qualitative questionnaires. The participants are people with disabilities (PwDs), the organizations in charge of the accessibility of the Expo and staff that worked at the event—some of whom were also PwDs. The experiences of PwDs at the event, the accessibility provision in place and the challenges and insights of accessibility experts involved are discussed, as well as the implications and recommendations for managing the accessibility of large events.