Evaluating the Strategies for Accessible Tourism in Cultural Heritage Sites: A Fuzzy SIWEC-RAWEC Methodology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31181/msa31202634Keywords:
Accessible tourism, Cultural heritage sites, SIWEC, RAWEC, Developing countryAbstract
Ensuring inclusive access for people with disabilities is essential to achieving true equality and equity, key principles of sustainable tourism development. However, cultural tourism sites often encounter significant challenges in realizing this goal. Focusing on the Village Museum in Africa, this study proposes an integrated framework that comprises simple weight calculation and ranking alternatives with weights of criterion methods within a fuzzy (F-SIWEC-RAWEC) environment. First, data collection is conducted with four experts regarding six challenges and five strategies for accessible tourism in cultural heritage. While the SIWEC method assesses the weights of criteria, the RAWEC method ranks the strategies. The findings of the study indicate that insufficient funding and balancing site preservation with accessibility needs are the most critical challenges. Meanwhile, focused funding and resource development are the most appropriate strategy to overcome these challenges. Managers should implement adequate decision-support systems to direct dynamic and comprehensive planning and resource allocation for accessible tourism.
Downloads
References
Zhelyazkova, I., Yarkova, Y., & Zheleva, A. (2007). Tourism for handicapped people responsibility and commitment in the period of Bulgaria's accession to the European Union. Trakia Journal of Sciences, 4(4), 39–43.
Darcy, S., & Dickson, T. J. (2009). A whole-of-life approach to tourism: The case for accessible tourism experiences. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 16(1), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.1375/jhtm.16.1.32 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1375/jhtm.16.1.32
Ruhanen, L. M., Mclennan, C.-L. J., & Moyle, B. D. (2013). Strategic issues in the Australian tourism industry: A 10-year analysis of national strategies and plans. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 18(3), 220–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2011.640701 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2011.640701
Kara, N. (2019). Assessment of Tanzania Tourism Policy of 1999 in Addressing the Needs of People With Disability. International Conference on the Future of Tourism (ICFT).
Darcy, S. (2002). Marginalised participation: Physical disability, high support needs and tourism. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 9(1), 61–73.
Darcy, S., & Daruwalla, P. S. (1999). The trouble with Travel: People with disabilities and Tourism. Social Alternatives, 18(1), 41–46.
Lwoga, N. B., & Mapunda, B. B. (2017). Challenges facing accessible tourism in cultural heritage sites: The case of Village Museum in Tanzania.
Bouraima, M. B., Qiu, Y., Stević, Ž., & Simić, V. (2023). Assessment of alternative railway systems for sustainable transportation using an integrated IRN SWARA and IRN CoCoSo model. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 86, 101475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2022.101475 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2022.101475
Bouraima, M. B., Więckowski, J., & Qian, S. (2025). A decision support system for prioritizing electric vehicles transition policies. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 146, 104880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2025.104880 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2025.104880
Demir, G., Pamucar, D., & Chatterjee, P. (2025). An Integrated Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Framework for Evaluation of Sustainable Communication Technologies. Spectrum of Operational Research, 2(1), 285–304. https://doi.org/10.31181/sor21202529 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31181/sor21202529
Spencer, D. M., & Sargeant, E. L. (2024). The use of indicators to measure the sustainability of tourism at cultural heritage sites: A critical review. Tourism Recreation Research, 49(3), 563–576. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2022.2069454 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2022.2069454
Ismail, N., Masron, T., & Ahmad, A. (2014). Cultural heritage tourism in Malaysia: Issues and challenges. SHS Web of Conferences. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20141201059 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20141201059
Muštra, V., Perić, B. Š., & Pivčević, S. (2023). Cultural heritage sites, tourism and regional economic resilience. Papers in Regional Science, 102(3), 465–483. https://doi.org/10.1111/pirs.12731 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pirs.12731
Zhuang, X., Yao, Y., & Li, J. (2019). Sociocultural impacts of tourism on residents of world cultural heritage sites in China. Sustainability, 11(3), 840. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030840 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030840
Liu, Y., Wang, Y., Dupre, K., & McIlwaine, C. (2022). The impacts of world cultural heritage site designation and heritage tourism on community livelihoods: A Chinese case study. Tourism Management Perspectives, 43, 100994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2022.100994 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2022.100994
Panzera, E., de Graaff, T., & de Groot, H. L. (2021). European cultural heritage and tourism flows: The magnetic role of superstar World Heritage Sites. Papers in Regional Science, 100(1), 101–123. https://doi.org/10.1111/pirs.12562 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pirs.12562
García-Hernández, M., De la Calle-Vaquero, M., & Yubero, C. (2017). Cultural heritage and urban tourism: Historic city centres under pressure. Sustainability, 9(8), 1346. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081346 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081346
Salehipour, M., Kazemi, N., Jokar Arsanjani, J., & Karimi Firozjaei, M. (2025). Developing a Multi-Criteria Decision Model to Unlock Sustainable Heritage Tourism Potential. Sustainability, 17(8), 3703. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083703 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083703
Dong, B., Zhang, M., Wang, H., & Wu, J. (2025). Study on the interaction mechanism among spatial patterns of traditional villages and tourism attractiveness and accessibility in Guizhou province. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 10365. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94514-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94514-z
Moreno, C., Gall, C., Woo, J., Lee, D., & Bencekri, M. (2025). Assessing accessibility of cultural sites through the 15-minute city framework in Seoul. International Journal of Urban Sciences, 29(1), 8–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/12265934.2025.2462820 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/12265934.2025.2462820
Puška, A., Nedeljković, M., Pamučar, D., Božanić, D., & Simić, V. (2024). Application of the new simple weight calculation (SIWEC) method in the case study in the sales channels of agricultural products. MethodsX, 13, 102930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2024.102930 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2024.102930
Badi, I., Baryannis, G., & Bouraima, M. B. (2025). Decision Support for Railway Infrastructure Planning Using the SIWEC-RAWEC Framework. X International Conference New Horizons of Transport and Communications 2025.
Katrancı, A., Kundakcı, N., & Arman, K. (2026). Fuzzy SIWEC and Fuzzy RAWEC methods for sustainable waste disposal technology selection. Spectrum of Operational Research, 87–102. https://doi.org/10.31181/sor31202633 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31181/sor31202633
Şimşek, E., Eti, S., Yüksel, S., & Dinçer, H. (2026). Evaluation of Purchasing Process in Solar Energy Investment Projects via SIWEC Methodology. Spectrum of Operational Research, 81–86. https://doi.org/10.31181/sor31202636 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31181/sor31202636
Štilić, A., Bosna, J., Puška, A., & Nedeljković, M. (2025). Examining Tourism Valorization of Botanical Gardens Through a Fuzzy SiWeC-TOPSIS Framework. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, 6(4), 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg6040055 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg6040055
Yalçın, G. C., Limon, E. G., Kara, K., Limon, O., Gürol, P., Deveci, M., Demirayak, Ö., & Tomášková, H. (2025). A hybrid decision support system for transport policy selection: A case study on Russia's Northern Sea route in Artic region. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 98, 102171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2025.102171 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2025.102171
Cao, J., Spulbar, C., Eti, S., Horobet, A., Yüksel, S., & Dincer, H. (2025). Innovative approaches to green digital twin technologies of sustainable smart cities using a novel hybrid decision-making system. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 10(1), 100651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2025.100651 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2025.100651
Çizmecioğlu, S., Çalık, A., & Tirkolaee, E. B. (2025). An integrated p, q-quasirung orthopair fuzzy decision-making approach for strategic selection of competitive intelligence platforms. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 158, 111498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2025.111498 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2025.111498
Puška, A., Božanić, D., Štilić, A., Nedeljković, M., & Khalilzadeh, M. (2025). Application of fuzzy-rough methodology to the selection of electric tractors for small farms in Semberija. Journal of Fuzzy Extension and Applications, e212931.
Eti, S., Yüksel, S., Dinçer, H., Çırak, A. N., Deveci, M., & Kadry, S. (2025). Strategy building for renewable energy adoption in regionalized supply chains-based logistic systems using a hybrid fuzzy decision-making approach. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 101479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101479 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101479
Puška, A., Štilić, A., Pamučar, D., Božanić, D., & Nedeljković, M. (2024). Introducing a Novel multi-criteria Ranking of Alternatives with Weights of Criterion (RAWEC) model. MethodsX, 12, 102628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2024.102628 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2024.102628
Nedeljković, M., Puška, A., Pamučar, D., & Marinković, D. (2024). Selection of agricultural product sales channels using fuzzy double MEREC and fuzzy RAWEC method. Agriculture and Forestry, 70(3), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.17707/AgricultForest.70.3.03 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17707/AgricultForest.70.3.03
Puška, A., Nedeljković, M., Dudić, B., Štilić, A., & Mittelman, A. (2024). Improving agricultural sustainability in Bosnia and Herzegovina through renewable energy integration. Economies, 12(8), 195. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies12080195 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/economies12080195
Petrović, N., Jovanović, V., Marković, S., Marinković, D., & Petrović, M. (2024). Multicriteria sustainability assessment of transport modes: A European Union case study for 2020. Journal of Green Economy and Low-Carbon Development, 3(1), 36–44. https://doi.org/10.56578/jgelcd030104 DOI: https://doi.org/10.56578/jgelcd030104
Demir, G., & Ulusoy, E. I. (2024). Wind Power Plant Location Selection with Fuzzy Logic and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods. Computer and Decision Making: An International Journal, 1, 211–234. https://doi.org/10.59543/comdem.v1i.10713 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59543/comdem.v1i.10713
Dündar, S., & Karadağ, İ. (2025). Selection of a Facility Location for a Cosmetics Company by Integrated F-LBWA and I-RAWEC Methods. International Journal of Fuzzy Systems, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40815-024-01960-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40815-024-01960-4
Mukhametzyanov, I. Z., & Pamucar, D. (2025). Equivalence of MCDM Methods and Synthesis of Solution Based on Ratings Obtained in Different Models. Decision Making: Applications in Management and Engineering, 8(2), 1–20.
Tešić, D., Božanić, D., Mondal, S. P., & Puška, A. (2025). Modification of the Ranking of Alternatives with Weights of Criterion (RAWEC) Method and Improvement with Fermatean Fuzzy numbers. Journal of Soft Computing and Decision Analytics, 3(1), 146–157. https://doi.org/10.31181/jscda31202570 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31181/jscda31202570
Badi, I., Bouraima, M. B., & Maraka, N. D. (2026). A Hybrid Simulation and the RAWEC Model for Performance Evaluation of Pharmacy Service Strategies. Decision Making Advances, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.31181/dma412026127 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31181/dma412026127
Reyes-García, M. E., Criado-García, F., Camúñez-Ruíz, J. A., & Casado-Pérez, M. (2021). Accessibility to cultural tourism: The case of the major museums in the city of Seville. Sustainability, 13(6), 3432. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063432 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063432
Sørmoen, O., Arenghi, A., & Garofolo, I. (2016). Accessibility as a key enabling knowledge for enhancement of cultural heritage.
Bakari, S. J., Bouraima, M. B., Aytekin, A., & Ntow-Gyan, K. (2025). Proposing appropriate strategies for domestic tourism promotion in developing country by fuzzy fermatean MCDM approach. Journal of Applied Research on Industrial Engineering, 12(2), 246–270. https://doi.org/10.22105/jarie.2025.489833.1713
Bakary, S., Bouraima, M. B., & Badi, I. (2026). A Multi-Criteria-Decision Making Methodology to Prioritizing Telemedicine Expansion Opportunities. Journal of Contemporary Decision Science, 2(1), 55-63.
Mitrović, D., Demir, G., Badi, I., & Bouraima, M. B. (2025). Balancing Efficiency and Risk in Public Sector Artificial Intelligence with Data Envelopment Analysis and Portfolio Approaches. Applied Decision Analytics, 1(1), 15–35.
Basuri, T., Gazi, K. H., Das, S. G., & Sankar Prasad Mondal. (2026). Ranking Higher Education Institutions Using Entropy–VIKOR with Generalized Pentagonal Intuitionistic Fuzzy Numbers. Journal of Contemporary Decision Science, 2(1), 64-83.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Mouhamed Bayane Bouraima, Ibrahim Badi (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
