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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
This article aims to emphasize the importance and function of the landscape as a
tourism resource, increasingly valued in tourism destinations, and its impact on the
motivation and preferences of the tourists in the northern region of Portugal as a
tourism destination. The main aim of this study is to understand tourist preferences
and their motivation regarding landscape as a tourism resource. This study also
offers an itinerary of terraced viewpoints in the northern region of Portugal.
Methodology used in this study is quantitative and based on surveys supported with
questionnaires. The sample size is 302 participants who have visited the Northern
region of Portugal between March and July 2019. The aim of this questionnaire is to
understand in what aspects the tourist preferences regarding landscape influence
their visit and traveling purpose.
The hypotheses of this study are based on the elements and aesthetics of both rural
and urban landscape and their relationship with social demographic variables of the
inquiries. After validating the hypothesis, it is notable that there is a relation between
the frequency of viewpoint visit and the inclusion of viewpoints on the travel plan of
visitors.
This research showed, in general terms, the preference about “coastal landscape”,
followed by “mountain landscape”. Concerning “Rural landscape features” and
“aesthetic aspects”, the most valued are “sea and coastal line”, “grapevines and
vineyards” “birds” and “wild animals”. Regarding “Urban landscape features” and
“Urban aesthetic aspects”, the most valued elements are “historic buildings,
churches/cathedrals, towers”, on the one hand, and “Preservation of
buildings/structures”, on the other. Most respondents usually include viewpoint in
their journey plans, while travelling. In order to promote and enhance the attractiveness of viewpoints, as a result of the
appreciation of the landscape, specific aspects should be discussed, such as the
appropriation of these elements with infrastructures and equipment, integrating them
into roadmaps, in order to maximize the potential of landscapes in the Northern
region of Portugal.
Description
Keywords
Rural landscape Urban landscape Tourism Resource North of Portugal Viewpoints
Citation
Publisher
CiTUR - Centre for Tourism Research, Development and Innovation