Decision-making support system for travel planning for people with disabilities based on fuzzy set theory

Abstract

Research background: In recent years, there has been increasing attention to the needs of tourists with disabilities. Several international studies confirm that this target group has been marginalized in tourism due to physical, economic, social, and environmental barriers. However, the integration of intelligent decision-support systems can significantly enhance accessibility and inclusion in tourism. Purpose of the article: This research aims to develop effective methods and algorithms for constructing intelligent systems and software that generate precise and high-quality travel plans for tourists with disabilities. The primary objective is to create a decision support system for trip planning, using the example of Visegrad Group countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia). Methods: The decision support system is structured around two core components: the data level and the knowledge level. The data layer compiles a structured database of actual visits by disabled tourists. The knowledge layer consists of mathematical models forming a comprehensive decision-making framework. The formalization of the system employs fuzzy set theory, fuzzy logic, expert evaluation, and intelligent knowledge analysis. This research introduces: an information model for assessing the accessibility of destinations; fuzzy method of determining the degree of accessibility of destination, considering the level of limited capabilities of the participant of the tourist movement; decision-making method when travel planning on the accessibility of the region on goal needs. Findings & value added: The decision-making support system was verified and tested on real data from 41 participants in the Visegrad Group countries. A distinctive feature of this research is the development of a dynamic, adaptive decision-support mechanism that evolves with real-world user data. Unlike standard accessibility evaluation approaches, this system provides personalized travel recommendations and continuously refines its ranking model based on user experiences. This ensures a long-term impact on smart tourism, sustainable travel planning, and enhanced accessibility for people with disabilities.