Research by Ms Shiraani, for a PhD through the University of Otago tourism department, is likely to provide new insights into the views of children with a wide range of disabilities.
Ms Shiraani (38), who was born in the Maldives, said most international tourism research focused on adults, and studies of younger visitors focused on able-bodied children, neglecting "children's diversity".
There was scope to improve tourism offerings through the "design of inclusive holiday packages for young people with disabilities", and in physically-accessible accommodation, she said.
Her research could also help by bringing "this group of travellers" to the attention of the industry and policymakers, she said.
Booking at a distance via the internet could result in finding a toilet which was well designed for disabled access, only to discover later that the room it was in was itself hard to reach.
The Dunedin City Council was aware of disability needs, but New Zealand and Dunedin tourism would benefit from further "aiming to design sustainable and accessible tourism experiences".
In her PhD research, Ms Shiraani aimed to interact with 15 young people, aged 5 to 18, who had some form of disability and had taken a holiday.
She had already spoken to some young Dunedin people, and other families wishing to participate could contact her via email at fathimath.shiraani
@postgrad.otago.ac.nz.
Meeting the needs of diverse groups, including youngsters with disabilities, would "attract more visitors" and boost tourism earnings, she said.
