Loading...
195 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 195
- Supply-side perspectives on outdoor tourism in the North of PortugalPublication . Martins, Oliva M. D.; Fernandes, Paula Odete; Nunes, Alcina; Rachão, Susana; Correia, Alexandra Isabela; Vieira, Elvira; Fonseca, Manuel José; Silva, Goretti; Santos, S.; Veloso, Cláudia; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Carrança, PauloNowadays, the tourism sector presents many opportunities and challenges. Outdoor Tourism (OT), due to the unusual situation experienced by the pandemic caused by COVID-19, maybe one of the main opportunities to promote the local development of tourist destinations. Most of the literature developed in this context has focused the demand side. Therefore, the investigation intended to fill this gap, considering the perspective of the supply side, taking into account a vision of sustainable development. To meet this gap, the main objective is to contribute to the characterization of Outdoor Tourism (OT) in the North of Portugal, and understand the potential of OT in the perspective of supply., thirty-eight tourist entertainment companies (TEC) were interviewed to assess supply and perceived customers’ motivations. Of the seven Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistical Purposes (NUTS), the Northern region was considered to be an area with enormous potential for Nature-related tourist). For the supply side, seasonality and climate were identified as important factors supporting environment preservation. Radical experiences, adventure and getting out of the routine were identified as motivating demand factors, as well as the contact with Nature and the landscape. We have also observed that if we consider the stimulation of the local economy by OT, there is still a lot to do. The evidence pointed to some social imbalance, namely related to employability. Employees were hired according to the evolution of demand, which favours unemployment and social instability. Also, the tourists/costumers are the main channels of communication of the activities; the word-of- mouth (WOM) of costumers’ experiences, personally or through online social media, takes on a prominent role. In this sense, tourists’ online reviews, testimonies and word-of-mouth can be optimized through social networks and digital marketing. Finally, to evaluate the region's potential for the OT, the interviewees suggested integrating the players involved with the OT into a single network, supporting the activities and promoting the region.
- The buying process on hospitality services and its implication to loyalty behaviourPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Campos, Joana; Oliveira, MónicaThis research aims to explore hotel brand loyalty by analysing what are the main factors that lead to it and explain the individual's reasons that lead guest decision towards a specific hotel service since operational knowledge indicates that new consumption trends as well as new market segments in tourism have specific consumption behaviours and arises with the evolution of the industry. The main goal of this paper is to provide relevant information to improve hotel marketing strategies and keep the knowledge on consumer habits updated because their motivations and actions will determine and influence the ability of hotels to adapt to new consumption realities. In this context, this research focus on service hotel marketing, quality of service and hotel brand loyalty and allowed the implementation of applied consumer research in scientific methodology, using questionnaires filled out by consumers who made hotel reservations. The authors applied a statistical inferential test, a binary logistic regression model, looking up to understand if customer loyalty behaviour may be explained by our predicted and studied variables, specially emotional and rational factors, the knowledge of guests' preferences and habits, employees' performance and the existence of a loyalty programme. This research allowed to conclude that there are five main dimensions that influence loyalty behaviour: knowledge of guests' habits and preferences, contact with hotel employees, existence of a loyalty programme, room rate and rational factors, which is an important information to improve hotel marketing strategies as hotel industry becomes more competitive each year.
- Hotel distribution: the influence of online travel agencies on Porto and Northern Portugal hotelsPublication . Costa, Elga; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Ribeiro, Joaquim; Meneses, DanielaThis research aims to understand the influence factors of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) to book accommodation in four- and five-star hotels in Porto and Northern Portugal, as well as to understand their role in the profitability of each hotel. Online distribution is a necessity for hotels, either to reach higher clients’ numbers or to give visibility to the brand. The presence of OTAs can cause a dependency of the hotels on these intermediaries, so it is necessary to understand the influence that OTAs have on hoteliers, as well as to understand if they have strategies to capture direct reservations. In this present research, the quantitative methodology was chosen, and the data collection instrument was the questionnaire survey. In a universe of 150 hotel units, 55 valid questionnaires were obtained. Exploratory factor analysis was used to define the weights and to construct the index of the influence of OTAs on hotel units. Data collection confirms the influence of OTAs on hotels and the hotels consider OTAs to be essential for maximising occupancy and revenue and as a way of reaching more customers.
- Spatial and temporal concentration of tourism demand in Northern Portugal: regional policy recommendations to promote tourism competition and portfolio diversityPublication . Fernandes, Paula Odete; Santos, Eleonora; Nunes, Alcina Maria; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Veloso, Cláudia Miranda; Fonseca, Manuel JoséThe northern region of Portugal, in the last years, has experienced a growing number of visitors from different countries, which may indicate the emergence of an overtourism phenomenon in some particular municipalities or specific spaces. This phenomenon may cause significant destruction of the living conditions of residents, landscapes, seascapes, air and water quality, causing economic inequalities and social exclusion. The concentration of tourism activity in different municipality regions can be measured with a well know concentration measured, the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. Using as variables the number and nationality of visitors and their expenditures it is possible to follow the concentration of tourism visitors and expenditure, all over the 8 NUTIII regions located in the Northen of Portugal, and describe the routes of distribution of the tourism indicators from urban to rural areas following a more nature-oriented tourism. The results serve as a dipping compass for more oriented and well-targeted tourism policies.
- Sustainability and hotel room pricing strategiesPublication . Ferreira, Flávio; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Bode, Oana R.Social welfare in the hospitality industry refers to the overarching efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting the well-being and satisfaction of various stakeholders within the sector. This includes not only guests but also employees, local communities, and the environment. In this paper, we consider two different economic models in the hospitality industry, where one consumer-friendly hotel competes with a for-profit hotel taking decisions on environmental corporate social responsibility and on room rates. Hotels choose environmental corporate social responsibility investments sequentially, and room rates simultaneously. We analyse the impact of their decisions on the social welfare and hotel room pricing strategies and we also do a comparison between the results obtained in both models.
- Analysis of a customer relationship management tool in a shipping companyPublication . Pereira, Teresa; Fróis, Joana; Ferreira, Fernanda A.Today’s society is technologically advanced, the world is just a click away and our companies’ customers have easy access to all the information. Therefore, they are increasingly demanding, wanting more and better at a lower cost. Using as a case study a shipping company, a system of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) was analysed to verify what reasons led to its abandonment and to realise what to do to reverse such situation. In this industry product differentiation is practically null, so the customer’s choice comes down to price. However, customers are paying more attention to customer service, therefore companies are developing stronger relationships with them. The construction of such relationships implies data collection on the client, from which one can offer services of greater value. This may lead to partnerships and competitive advantages. Thus, the use of CRM tools is being promoted for CRM tools present themselves as a valuable asset. In the end, suggestions are presented, ranging from improvements to the existing system, to more complex suggestions, costlier or breaking with the existing mode of relationship and dialogue between company and customers, but that, in the future, will certainly translate into advantages over competing companies.
- The influence of COVID-19 on the hospital supply chain – the case of portuguese NHSPublication . Sequeiros, José; Pereira, Maria Teresa Ribeiro; Oliveira, Marisa; Ferreira, Fernanda A.Available studies and reports, as well as real-time experiences, attest to profound, extensive, long-lasting effects on the supply chain caused by the pandemic. It is thus paramount to rethink the supply chain for medication and health care supplies to build a more resilient and adaptable management process. Data obtained from the NHS portal monthly reports from January 2017 to August 2020 – indicates that at the hospital level the impact was felt the most on the scheduling of medical appointments and prescriptions. Two forecasting methods were selected for this study: Simple Linear Regression and Holt-Winters with the trend and additive seasonality. There was a change in the behavior of hospital patients in the first year of COVID-19 pandemics. This change was shown in two main indicators, the number of hospital consultations and medication expenses. This changed behavior resulted in a decrease in demand for scheduled hospital services, 1.9M less than would be expected under normal conditions, and a foreseeable increase of €432M in the consumption of medicines in the last quarter of 2020, €103M more than in the same period. from the previous year.
- Thermal tourism: study of the profile and motivations of the practitioner in PortugalPublication . Loureiro, Isabel Sofia; Gomes, Helena; Costa, Vânia; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Pereira, Raquel; Nunes, AlcinaHealth and wellness tourism had a growing interest in the Portuguese population until 2019. However, with the appearance of Covid-19, several establishments had to close over these two years, this segment being one of the most affected areas. Many water users looked forward to the opening of the spa resorts to continue their treatments. Given the importance of this theme, this work has as its main goal the definition of a consumer profile and to identify the determinants of satisfaction of the thermal tourists, as well as to gauge the degree of knowledge of thermal tourism and specifically of spas in the Portuguese context. In methodological terms, a questionnaire survey was conducted among the tourists to achieve the research objectives. The results show a younger, healthier and diversified thermal tourism practitioner. It also reveals similarities with other profile and motivations studies. However, it is possible to notice a few differences. Practitioners are seeking a combination of a leisure and health dimension and valorise factors such as location and access of the establishments, quality of the services provided and rest and tranquillity. An issue regarding their length of stay has been identified. As they are locals and live in the same country as the thermal spa, most respondents do not stay overnight at the destination. In the future, it would be interesting to research product development and market strategies for diversified thermal practitioners.
- The use of the EQ-5D-5L to assess the perception of health status: an empirical study of users of Termas de Chaves Thermal SpaPublication . Vaz, Márcia; Loureiro, Isabel; Alves, Maria José; Costa, Vânia; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Fernandes, Paula Odete; Nunes, AlcinaHealth is more than having no diseases. It involves observing and measuring symptoms and emotional, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, social, and physical aspects. Literature shows that thermalists seek thermal spas for health reasons, and their expectations are met as they revisit them. Thermal spa users have perceived an improvement in their health status. The perceived health status is subjective but can contribute to a better understanding of health. Tools like the EQ-5D-5L help measure users’ perception of their health status. The EQ-5D-5L can be applied to measure the perceived quality of life status in various diseases and contexts. However, it has not been applied to thermal spa users. This paper intends to showcase differences between the perceived health status before and after visiting a thermal spa by using the EQ-5D-5L in a survey applied to users of Termas de Chaves. A questionnaire survey was applied on-site from August 09th to December 20th 2021, obtaining a total sample of 222 participants. The data were analysed through statistical techniques of exploratory descriptive and inferential analysis. The results show statistically significant differences in customers’ perception of quality of life before and after 14 days of treatment. In addition, the study of six sociodemographic variables showed that the categories: female, 46 to 55 years old, single, without academic qualifications, retired, and with musculoskeletal pathologies/diseases most benefited from the thermal treatments.
- Pedagogical tourism in national parks: relations between Brazil and PortugalPublication . Fonsêca, Flaviano Oliveira; Santos, Jorgenaldo Calazans dos; Vieira, Lício Valério Lima; Ferreira, Fernanda A.Tourism has established itself as an important economic and social activity in almost all world scenarios, with emphasis on the segments related to nature. With this, the Conservation Units have significantly corroborated the quality of the offer of spaces where it is possible to practice this type of tourism. In this work, we will highlight the potentialities and possibilities of the practice of Pedagogical Tourism in the national parks of Serra de Itabaiana, in Brazil and Peneda-Gerês, in Portugal. To achieve the objective, this research requested documentary and bibliographic analysis from the public data platforms of the countries in question and proceeded to the consultation of documents provided by the Institute of Nature Conservation and Forests, Portugal. Interviews were conducted with the most important managers of both Conservation Units. It was concluded that the parks under study already perform the function of living laboratory for the practice of pedagogical tourism and, therefore, are potentially expressive and recognized by research institutions of both countries. However, it should be noted that economic sustainability has proved problematic for the analyzed realities and requires public and private interventions in order to make them more effective and sustainable for the improvement of man and nature relations.