The Evolution of Accessible and Inclusive Tourism: A Multi-Dimensional Assessment with Evidence from Portugal

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism (AIT) has gained growing prominence over recent decades, yet important questions remain regarding whether this increased visibility corresponds to substantive advances across research, education, and tourism practice. This study examines the recent evolution of AIT through a multi-dimensional assessment focused on Portugal, combining three complementary approaches: an umbrella-type synthesis of seven recent international bibliometric reviews, reported following PRISMA principles; a documentary analysis of doctoral theses and master’s dissertations completed in Portugal between 2011 and 2025, drawn from the national open-access repository (RCAAP); and an assessment of changes in the supply of accessible tourist accommodation using data from the Portuguese National Tourism Register (2005–2025). The findings reveal a substantial expansion of international scientific production on AIT, with Portuguese scholars occupying a prominent position in absolute publication counts. However, postgraduate research output remains limited, and the supply of accessible accommodation, although significantly increased, exhibits persistent regional disparities between coastal and interior areas. These results indicate that the development of AIT follows a non-linear trajectory in which progress varies substantially across academic, educational, and operational dimensions, underscoring the need for integrated assessment approaches and stronger collaboration between researchers, educators, and policymakers.