Browsing by Author "Fonseca, Manuel"
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- A methodology for the identification and assessment of the conditions for the practice of outdoor and sport tourism related activities: the case of Northern PortugalPublication . Silva, Goretti; Correia, Alexandra; Rachão, Susana; Nunes, Alcina; Vieira, Elvira; Santos, Sónia; Soares, Luís; Fonseca, Manuel; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Veloso, Cláudia Miranda; Carrança, Paulo; Fernandes, Paula OdeteTourists’ demand for outdoor sport-related activities has been growing in the last decade, leading to the recognition of the outdoor tourism potential of the development of rural and urban areas where the activities could take place. While the literature has recognized this potential, its features and the existing conditions for its practice are often not fully comprehended, mainly due to the lack of measurement systems and performance indicators. This study addresses this gap by proposing a wide-ranging assessment matrix of nine outdoor-related activities, employing northern Portugal as a study area. Based on an exploratory qualitative analysis employing semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (public, private and third sector), the main contribution of this study lies in the development of the outdoor tourism assessment matrix (OTAM) to collect data. The OTAM matrix aims to identify and assess the conditions, namely the infrastructure and resources, for the practice of outdoor and sport tourism-related activities within the sustainable development pillars. The nine matrices comprising the OTAM allow the identification of the places where the outdoor activities can be practiced, and the conditions under which they can contribute to the definition of the development strategies of outdoor tourism.
- Outdoor tourism demand segmentation: a case study from North of PortugalPublication . Scalabrini, Elaine; Correia, Alexandra Lopes; Nunes, Alcina; Miranda, Cláudia; Vieira, Elvira; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Silva, Goretti; Fonseca, Manuel; Carrança, Paulo; Santos, Sónia; Fernandes, Paula OdeteOutdoor tourism has been practised substantially in the last few years, particularly in the pandemic period when outdoor activities increased considerably (Silva et al., 2021). Outdoor tourism can be understood as the practise of outdoor activities (Ferreira et al., 2021) classified as hard or soft (Tsaur et al., 2020; UNWTO, 2014). These activities often take place in nature, protected areas, urban parks, and rural areas (Derek et al., 2019). Furthermore, outdoor tourism is considered one of the fastest-growing subcomponents of tourism and a trend in line with the principles of sustainability and environmental awareness (Valizadeh & Khoorani, 2020). Demand for outdoor activities encourages innovation, especially during uncertainty. Indeed, practitioners of outdoor activities seek health and have shown a growing interest in different activities and have adopted new behaviours, creating an opportunity for organisations to innovate (Hansen et al., 2019).
- Outdoor tourism demand segmentation: a case study from North of PortugalPublication . Scalabrini, Elaine; Correia, Alexandra; Nunes, Alcina; Veloso, Cláudia; Vieira, Elvira; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Silva, Goretti; Fonseca, Manuel; Carrança, Paulo; Santos, Sónia; Fernandes, Paula OdeteThis research aimed to segment the market of visitors who practise outdoor activities in the North region of Portugal based on their motivations. An online survey was conducted between June to September of 2021, with a sample of 200 tourists who realised the region's outdoor activities during this period. The data collected allowed determining factor analysis and the clusters. Two factors: services/hospitality and nature experiences, and three clusters: soft practitioners, radicals, and enthusiasts were delimited. The results show that these groups differ in motivations and practised activities. Segmentation of outdoor tourism demand in North of Portugal should set out marketing and promotion strategies in different destinations, attracting demand from outside the region, and according to their preferences.
- Outdoor tourism in the North of Portugal from the perspective of Tourist Entertainment Companies (TEC)Publication . Martins, Oliva M. D.; Nunes, Alcina; Vieira, Elvira; Rachão, Susana; Correia, Alexandra; Fonseca, Manuel; Silva, Goretti; Santos, Sónia; Veloso, Cláudia; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Carrança, Paulo; Fernandes, Paula OdeteBased on the perception of those responsible for Tourist Entertainment Companies (TEC), the objective of the research is to contribute to the characterization of Outdoor Tourism (OT). Exploratory qualitative research was carried out through 38 in-depth individual interviews. The territory geography, the experiences, and the internal market were considered relevant aspects. In addition, seasonality and climate were identified as significant factors in defining the offer, which can favour the preservation of the environment. Moreover, the risk of the activities was considered low. The interviewees suggested integrating everyone involved in a network to explore the region's potential, as well as to support activities and promote the region. The radical experience, adventure, and getting out of the routine were identified as motivations for the search, as well as contact with nature and the landscape. The research is limited to the North Region of Portugal, and it brings together the most different needs, desires, and expectations for tourism demand. Strengthening OT can favour employability and, consequently, economic and social balance while promotion of the activity can be explored through the customers' previous experience. The evaluations, testimonials, and word of mouth (WOM) being added value that can be optimized through social networks and digital marketing.
- Productivity measurement: the case of nature tourism firms in PortugalPublication . Santos, Eleonora; Correia, Alexandra I.; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Nunes, Alcina Maria; Veloso, Cláudia Miranda; Vieira, Elvira; Silva, Goretti; Fonseca, Manuel; Carrança, Paulo; Fernandes, Paula OdeteProductivity measurement in the tourism sector has been raising increasing interest among researchers and is recognised as an important indicator for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the sector and for enhancing its spillover effects on the economy. However, studies for Portugal and the particular activities included in the set of nature tourism activities are scarce. To overcome this research gap, this paper calculates the labour productivity and total factor productivity (TFP) measures of nature tourism firms to compare firms’ productivity performance across NUTS II regions in mainland Portugal during 2014–2017. Using data from SABI, Quadros do Pessoal, INE and the National Tourism Registry, the sample consists of 369 firms, representing 55% of firms operating in nature tourism in the mainland. Results show that the levels of TFP, unlike to labour productivity, are uneven over time and space. In 2015, a year of change in the business cycle, all regions experienced a negative increase in TFP except the Metropolitan Region of Lisbon, which seems to indicate that nature tourism in most of the country is less resilient to external economic shocks, performing better in periods of prosperity. Labour productivity growth does not present, in general, consistently positive results.
- The use of a geographic information system to increase outdoor tourismPublication . Scalabrini, Elaine Cristina Borges; Correia, Alexandra I.; Fonseca, Manuel; Nunes, Alcina; Veloso, Cláudia Miranda; Vieira, Elvira; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Silva, Goretti; Carrança, Paulo; Santos, Sónia; Fernandes, Paula Odete
- The use of mobile technology in outdoor tourism: a systematic reviewPublication . Scalabrini, Elaine; Correia, Alexandra I.; Nunes, Alcina; Veloso, Cláudia Miranda; Vieira, Elvira; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Silva, Goretti; Fonseca, Manuel; Carrança, Paulo; Santos, Sónia; Fernandes, Paula OdeteMobile technologies are evident in all sectors, and this is also a reality in tourism. Tourists are increasingly using their smartphones for different functions and purposes, from planning trips to browsing destinations. Mobile technology is also an ally in outdoor activities. Thus, this study sought to understand, through a systematic review, how mobile technologies are being approached in outdoor tourism literature. The analysis was conducted with twenty-four articles indexed in the Web of Science and published in the last five years (2018–2022). The first finding is the small number of specific articles on outdoor tourism, even when adding the terms nature-based or adventure tourism. The main reasons why outdoor tourists use mobile technology during their activities are communication, navigation, feeling safe, boredom relief, and taking photos Thus, there is a need for more research to better understand the benefits and risks of the use of mobile technology in outdoor activities and most of the analysed articles presented a quantitative approach.