Search Results (18)

Higher education in tourism plays a pivotal role in the development of the tourism sector in Portugal—one of the country’s most vital economic pillars. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the adoption of innovative teaching methodologies by higher education institutions, aiming to foster more dynamic and student-centered learning environments. This article analyzes, through a qualitative approach grounded in educational and social science research, the main pedagogical and didactic strategies employed in leading tourism programs across Portugal. Drawing on a content analysis of curricular unit descriptions and all relevant public pedagogical information available on official institutional websites, this study provides a critical overview of current didactic practices. Finally, the research reflects on the degree to which innovative teaching and research practices are integrated and discusses their alignment with recognized international standards and best practices. This study contributes to bridging a significant research gap by systematically linking pedagogical practice in Portuguese tourism programs with global educational standards. Full article

The European Union has been trying to adjust its tourism policy in response to the challenges posed by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The funding of the EU Cohesion Policy has been one of the primary mechanisms guaranteeing that all regions can be prepared to receive tourists and cope with the sustainability challenges the pandemic has raised. The recovery and resilience plan (PRR) is the most recent instrument created to help economic growth in most European Union countries. The implementation of the PRR in Algarve and Alentejo has been fundamental to understanding the Portuguese tourism sector, as these regions are heavily dependent on tourism sector revenue and were hit hard by the consecutive lockdowns in recent years. Therefore, this policy, in brief, critically assesses the tourism-related projects that received funding from the PRR until November 2023 (ex ante) and their potential to guarantee long-term tourism sustainability in Algarve and Alentejo. Despite not achieving the expected efficiency results due to delays in project execution and low investment, the PRR is still a positive upgrade for tourism-related policy in Algarve and Alentejo. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) stands out as a transformative force in various sectors, offering both new opportunities and challenges. In tourism and music events, AI has proven to be a powerful tool for improving the attendee experience, personalizing artist recommendations, optimizing event logistics in real time, and enhancing audience interaction through virtual assistants and immersive visual effects, thus highlighting its transformative potential. This study aims to analyze the impact of applying AI to the experience of consumers at music festivals. In particular, the research examines the impact of AI on the quality of information delivered, the extent of consumer engagement with brands at the event, and the level of trust in the technology. A quantitative methodology was used, collecting 400 responses from Portuguese consumers who attended music festivals. The results show that the quality of information and the AI positively influence customer engagement with the brand. Greater customer engagement, in turn, increases the willingness to use AI solutions. Trust in AI is significantly shaped by the quality of the information and the reliability of the system, which further promotes electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and the willingness to adopt AI. In addition, eWOM plays a key role in encouraging the use of AI technologies. Finally, memorable tourist experiences positively influence the willingness to adopt AI, underlining the importance of experiential factors in promoting adoption. These results highlight the interconnected roles of information quality, trust, involvement, and user experiences in shaping attitudes toward artificial intelligence applications. This study expands the literature by analyzing how AI-driven information quality influences consumer trust and engagement, thus emphasizing the need to optimize these factors for better festival strategies. It highlights the link between trust and positive eWOM, showing that trust based on high-quality information enhances the festival’s reputation and attracts participants. A key contribution is its exploration of how trust and eWOM influence AI adoption at future festivals, which offers insights to boost credibility and acceptance. Lastly, it provides strategic guidelines that improve attendee experience and festival management. Full article

Tourism and climate change exhibit a binomial relationship, in which the former contributes to and is affected by the latter. In this context, the vulnerabilities of the tourism sector to climate change are assessed, focusing on cities in Portugal and Brazil, based on a literature review. A literature review was conducted using the keywords “tourism”, “climate change”, “Brazil”, “Portugal”, and their derivatives in Portuguese on Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. In both countries, extreme rainfall events cause delays or interrupt travel, and affect infrastructure, equipment, and services for tourists. In addition, heat waves and droughts have caused thermal discomfort and water shortages for residents and tourists. Adaptation and mitigation strategies are therefore urgently needed in both territories. Full article

This study examines how Green Human Resource Management practices improve employees’ eco-friendly behavior and green performance, and the mediator effect of affective commitment in these relationships. Our sample included 449 employees, from different Portuguese tourism organizations. The results demonstrate that the implementation of Green Human Resource Management practices produces a positive effect on eco-friendly behavior, green performance, and affective commitment, with commitment mediating the mentioned relationship. Therefore, when organizations apply greener Human Resources Management, they might influence positively the attitudes and behaviors of their employees, improving their affective commitment and, consequently, their eco-friendly behaviors and green performance. This research is innovative as it integrates Green Human Resource Management, eco-friendly behavior, green performance, and affective commitment in a single research model, expanding the knowledge over these topics, and suggesting that organizations should establish Green Human Resource Management policies, especially those that strengthen employees’ affective attachment and improve their eco-friendly behavior as well as the organization’s green performance. Full article

Utilizing a dataset covering four Portuguese NUTS II regions from 2009 to 2022 and employing multiple regression analyses, this research challenges traditional tourism theories by providing empirical evidence on how various factors—average stay, overnight stays, and foreign guests—affect regional revenue in tourist accommodations. In the context of sustainable tourism development, these findings have revealed a significant negative relationship between average stay duration and revenue, indicating that longer stays may be associated with lower daily revenues. This necessitates a re-evaluation of tourist spending behavior and accommodation of pricing strategies to promote economic sustainability. This study underscores the consistently positive impact of overnight stays on revenue, reinforcing the importance of maximizing overnight stays as a strategy for sustainable economic growth within the tourism sector. Additionally, the mixed results regarding the proportion of foreign guests reveal varying regional impacts, suggesting that region-specific strategies are essential for optimizing revenue from international tourists in a sustainable manner. This research integrates these factors to offer practical insights for refining revenue strategies in tourism management, emphasizing the need for multifaceted theoretical models that account for the complexity of sustainable tourism dynamics. Future research should focus on these nuanced approaches to better understand and manage the interplay between tourism dynamics and sustainable development. Full article

COVID-19 was a defining moment of the 21st century, causing major disruptions to tourism and global mobility. Travel patterns have changed significantly, influencing people’s perception of travel. This study aims to explore how COVID-19 affected the travel intentions of the Portuguese. The research is based on a questionnaire administered to 762 individuals, using structural equation modeling with partial least squares. In general, individuals have a reasonable perception of fear of the consequences of COVID-19, risk, and travel behavior and do not appear to have anxiety or fear of traveling. As for their intention to travel, they seem to have intentions. The results of this analysis demonstrate that fear of traveling, and travel behavior directly influence travel intentions and, indirectly, through fear of the consequences of COVID-19, anxiety, fear of traveling, and perceived travel risk. This study is particularly relevant for entities that manage and monitor the travel intentions of their clients and consumers, especially in the travel and tourism sector. It aims to more effectively meet the needs and desires of travelers, in addition to formulating strategies that promote the recovery of tourism in the post-pandemic period. The added value of research lies in its potential to guide strategic decision-making and policy formulation. Full article

Measuring social sustainability performance involves assessing firms’ implementation of social goals, including working conditions, health and safety, employee relationships, diversity, human rights, community engagement, and philanthropy. The concept of social sustainability is closely linked to the notion of decent work, which emphasizes productive work opportunities with fair income, secure workplaces, personal development prospects, freedom of expression and association, and equal treatment for both genders. However, the tourism sector, known for its significant share of informal labor-intensive work, faces challenges that hinder the achievement of decent work, such as extended working hours, low wages, limited social protection, and gender discrimination. This study assesses the social sustainability of the Portuguese tourism industry. The study collected data from the “Quadros do Pessoal” statistical tables for the years 2010 to 2020 to analyze the performance of Portuguese firms in the tourism sector and compare them with one another and with the overall national performance. The study focused on indicators such as employment, wages, and work accidents. The findings reveal fluctuations in employment and remuneration within the tourism sector and high growth rates in the tourism sector compared to the national average. A persistent gender pay gap is identified, which emphasizes the need to address this issue within the tourism industry. Despite some limitations, such as the lack of comparable data on work quality globally, incomplete coverage of sustainability issues, and challenges in defining and measuring social sustainability indicators, the findings have implications for policy interventions to enhance social sustainability in the tourism industry. By prioritizing decent work, safe working conditions, and equitable pay practices, stakeholders can promote social sustainability, stakeholder relationships, and sustainable competitive advantage. Policymakers are urged to support these principles to ensure the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry and foster a more inclusive and equitable society. This study provides insights for Tourism Management, sustainable Human Resource Management, Development Studies, and organizational research, guiding industry stakeholders in promoting corporate social sustainability, firm survival, and economic growth. Full article

The hotel industry has been one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in Portugal in recent years. According to the European Best Destinations website, Portugal has consolidated itself as a destination of excellence. The explanation of the capital structure of firms remains relevant in financial research. However, prior international empirical evidence is not exclusive and is still scarce in the Portuguese hotel sector, which motivated this research. This study aimed to analyse the influence of determinants on the capital structure of 821 Portuguese hotels between 2011 and 2019 (until the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic affected the international tourism sector) and to determine whether strategies were conducted according to trade-off and pecking order theories. This study used an econometric approach based on the static panel data model, with tests recommending the fixed effects model estimated by the least squares dummy variables (LSDV) within. The analysed determinants were return on assets, size, tangibility, growth opportunities, risk and other tax benefits besides debt in order to explain the indebtedness through three alternative measures. The results of this research show that managers sought an optimal combination of equity and debt, which was weighted between tax savings and the cost of financial distress. However, they pursued this objective through the hierarchical sequencing of funding sources in order to minimise the costs of information asymmetry. Full article

Planning consists of thinking about the future and allows territories to be better prepared to take advantage of opportunities and face challenges that arise. In Portugal, tourism is one of the pillars of the economy, generating wealth and creating various job openings. In recent years, this destination has won several international awards and distinctions due to the quality of services and tourism offerings. Part of this success is due to the planning carried out by the entity responsible, Turismo de Portugal. This study aims to analyse the content and structure of national tourism plans implemented in Portugal since 2000. Furthermore, we want to understand: (1) the vision outlined for the Portuguese territory and the changes it has undergone in recent decades; (2) the methodologies that were used in the formation process of these plans, for instance, if public auscultation was used; (3) the main objectives defined for the territory and which were the actions that have been defined to achieve them. A qualitative methodology of document analysis was used, combined with the presentation of a case study related to tourism planning at a national level. The results show the growing importance of the tourism sector for the Portuguese economy. Since 2020, the growing involvement of stakeholders in the construction of strategic plans has also been evident through public consultation and an emphasis on sustainability practices in the tourism sector. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic had severe implications in different economic sectors, among them tourism, with countries where tourism has a relevant economic role, such as Portugal, being greatly affected. However, the impact was different in the various regions of the country, which could be related to some tourism units, being more isolated or with fewer rooms, being seen as more attractive and safer. Based on data from Portuguese firms, and distinguishing their location between coastal and inland, it is possible to conclude that inland tourism units were less affected than coastal ones, which could be related to tourists seeking less densely populated areas, a relevant conclusion for the different agents. Full article

Sustainable tourism is a main priority of European Union policies, with the aim of mitigating the potential harmful consequences of this sector on a given territory. The main research goal of this article is to better understand the impact of the public investments financed via EU Cohesion Policy in the tourism sector in the Portuguese Algarve NUT2. This paper focuses on the Portuguese Operational Programme for Sustainability and Efficient Use of Resources (POSEUR 20142020), which was an operational programme of a Portuguese framework to implement EU Cohesion Policy funds in Portugal between 2014 and 2020, and was specifically focused on supporting sustainable development processes. The sustainability performance of POSEUR in the Algarve was evaluated in five different dimensions of analysis: (1) low-emissions economy, (2) adaptation to climate change, (3) risk prevention and management, (4) environmental protection, and (5) resource efficiency. The results showed that POSEUR had a low impact in almost all dimensions in the Algarve, apart from the adaptation to climate change dimension, which exhibits a high impact score, mostly due to the support given for carrying out the Plans for Adaptation to Climate Change (PAAC). Full article

Despite sustainable wine tourism being one of the hottest topics of the moment, there is still a considerable knowledge gap. If managed with due care and consideration of the region’s carrying capacity, wine tourism can be an essential regional development tool for improving business performance, environmental awareness, and community values. On the other hand, it can be responsible for negative environmental impacts, creating local resentment. This paper explored and contextualized wine tourism and sustainable winegrowing practices in the Portuguese Douro wine region. The aim was to offer practical recommendations and directives for such a unique landscape. From the adoption of regenerative agriculture and natural-based solutions at the field level to engaging in sustainability wine programs or certification schemes integrating both sectors, it is indispensable to develop frameworks to assess sustainability performance, tourism development, and the impact on the local population. Nevertheless, to accomplish business success and territorial development, a win–win relationship between all stakeholders is foremost needed. The Douro region must therefore start by investing in stronger collaboration networks between local actors through careful and integrated planning so that the needs of all interested parties, including its residents, are considered and incorporated in future sustainable tourism initiatives. Full article

This study sought to explore the impact of green human resource management on organizational identification and employees’ eco-friendly behavior, as well as the mediating role of organizational identification in the relationship between green human resource management and employees’ eco-friendly behavior. To achieve the study objectives, a cross-sectional quantitative study was developed, for which the data were obtained through a structured questionnaire containing the measures of the study variables. Data were collected from 235 employees from several Portuguese tourism organizations participating in the study. The Harman test and bootstrapping were applied previously to the assessment of the results. The mediation study’s hypothesis was evaluated using Baron and Kenny’s linear regression method, and subsequently complemented using the Sobel test. The findings showed that the implementation of green HRM practices in tourism organizations has a positive impact on employees’ eco-friendly behavior and on organizational identification, with the latter mediating the relationship between green human resource management and employees’ eco-friendly behavior. The study is breaking new ground because it incorporates the impact of green human resource management on organizational identification and employees’ eco-friendly behavior in a single research model, thus expanding knowledge on the subject, namely in the tourism sector in Portugal. Full article

Many activities and sectors have come to a halt due to the COVID-19 crisis. People and workers’ habits and behaviors have changed dramatically, as the use of technologies and connections, virtual reality, and remote support have been enhanced. Businesses and cities have been forced to quickly adapt to the new challenges. Digital technologies have allowed people to have better access to public services due to improved use of resources. Smart cities have significant potential for linking people to work and services as never done before. Additionally, the technological convergence produces data that can enhance interactions and decisions toward the “new normal”. In this paper, the aim is to assess how Portugal is prepared to respond to the accelerated process that this context demands from cities. Portuguese SMEs have developed a good capacity for entrepreneurship and innovation; however, they are still behind in converting the knowledge acquired in sales and exports and there is still limited collaboration at the public-private level. The acceleration of smart cities through the Internet of Things (IoT) may encourage changes in these issues. A more assertive alignment between the emergent technologies and the digitization goals of companies is required. This paper opens a discussion around major needs and trends of IoT (and related technologies) since the pandemic has leveraged them. The relationship between innovation and city smartness is approached to assess main contributing and limiting variables (through the European Innovation Scoreboard), to clarify future directions toward smarter services. The tourism sector, as the largest export economic activity in the country, is addressed in this matter. An analytical framework (using, for example, Power BI and Azure IoT Hub) around this approach can choose and support the most suitable areas of development in the country. Full article