Sensory experience of visitors with hearing impairment on a rural island destination

Bibliographic Data

ID5942445
AuthorsChung-Shing Chan (0000-0002-3847-3781, Centre for Environmental Policy and Resource Management (CEPRM), and Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong), Sam Wong (0000-0002-5001-0288, Chinese University of Hong Kong), Shing Yan Wong (Centre for Environmental Policy and Resource Management (CEPRM), and Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong), Vincent Tam (0000-0002-4828-3498, Chinese University of Hong Kong), Veleda Tam (Centre for Environmental Policy and Resource Management (CEPRM), and Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong), Dora Agapito (0000-0002-2568-3720, University of Algarve)
Year2025
Volume27
Issue7
Pages1-22
Publication date2025-02-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTourism Geographies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-6688 • E-ISSN: 1470-1340
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14616688.2025.2462785
OpenAlexW4407277600
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited66

This study aims to examine the sensory experiences of visitors with hearing impairment (HI) in the context of a rural destination. A series of field visits have been run over four seasons at the island of Yim Tin Tsai (YTT) in Hong Kong, involving 85 participants without impairment and 78 participants with HI. Spatial mapping and focus group discussions have been employed to perceive their sensory impressions and appraisals of YTT. The empirical data collected offers opportunities for in-depth examination of multisensory experiences of visitors with HI from a spatial perspective, as well as any differences with participants without impairment regarding their sensory perceptions. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of offering a vivid multisensory environment by preserving and utilizing the natural landscape, such that visitors with HI can be left with a fulfilling and rewarding experience. Experiences of visitors with HI are mainly made up by vision and smell.Visitors with hearing impairment exhibit a stronger connection to natural settings.Experiences for visitors with hearing impairment should involve diverse sensations.Importance should be placed on natural features in rural tourism planning. Experiences of visitors with HI are mainly made up by vision and smell. Visitors with hearing impairment exhibit a stronger connection to natural settings. Experiences for visitors with hearing impairment should involve diverse sensations. Importance should be placed on natural features in rural tourism planning

Advertising · Audiology · Business · Cognitive psychology · Destination Marketing · Destinations · Geography · Rural area · Sensory system · Tourism · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Medicine · Psychology · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Spatial Cognition and Navigation

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