ESTGV - DG - Documentos de congressos (comunicações, posters, actas)
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- Can Rural Tourism Satisfy Portuguese Tourist's Needs? Examining Portuguese Tourist's PreferencesPublication . Antunes, Joaquim; Barroco, Cristina; Amaro, SuzanneTourism is considered one of the fastest growing industries, assuming a central role in the economy of many countries. Over the past years, new tourism products have been launched and existent ones have been adapted, such as rural tourism. The motivations for the demand of these services are aimed at revitalizing physical and psychic balance, under stress caused by modern lifestyles. The importance of rural tourism has been stressed in several studies. For instance, according to Dong, Wang, Morais and Brooks (2013) rural tourism has been frequently mentioned as an alternative form of economic development in rural areas. Other studies have emphasized that it significantly contributes to the gross national product, wealth creation, employment generation (Choong-Ki, Var & Blaine, 1996; Borooah, 1999) and to regional development (Dredge, 1999). In a more recent study, rural tourism is considered as a diversification strategy that serves as a catalyst for economic growth in remote communities (Rid, Ezeuduji & Pröbst-Haider, 2014). In the Portuguese case, there is a low profitability of rural tourism and, therefore, it is crucial to identify market segments to create appropriate marketing strategies in order to increase the profitability of rural tourism (Kastenholz, 2002). Despite the importance of better understanding what motivates tourists to choose rural tourism, studies focusing on rural tourism in Portugal have been limited (e.g. Kastenholz, Davis & Paul, 1999; Kastenholz, 2005; Almeida, Correia & Pimpão, 2014). Thus, the main aim of this study is to examine Portuguese tourists’ preferences when choosing rural tourism accommodation. The findings are crucial to support marketing strategies and for rural tourism development in Portugal. This study begins with a literature review of earlier studies concerning rural tourism, followed by the research methodology. In the fourth part, the results are discussed and finally, in the conclusions, some strategies are suggested as well as limitations of the study are presented.
- Examining the information provided on websites: an application to the thermal spas from the Central Region of PortugalPublication . Barroco, Cristina; Antunes, Joaquim; Amaro, SuzanneWellness and Spa Tourism represents a leading role in the tourism industry. According to a study conducted by the Global Wellness Institute (2013) this niche tourism is growing faster than the overall tourism industry. In Portugal, health and wellness tourism has also had a significant growth and is considered one of the ten strategic products of the country. According to information available from Turismo de Portugal (2015), there are 41 spas in Portugal, 19 of them located in the Central Region. The aim of this paper is to analyze the use of Information and Communication Technologies, more specifically, websites, as an essential tool for advertising the health and wellness offer of the Spas in the Central Region. Thus, the quality of these Spa’s Websites were analyzed using various indicators. The information obtained is a basis for the implementation of strategies to make the Spas more competitive.
- Intentions to use a Pilgrimage App: Which Features Really Matter?Publication . Antunes, Angela; Amaro, SuzanneAlthough there are several studies focusing on the use of mobile devices by tourists, there is limited research regarding the use of new technologies by pilgrims, frequently recognized as religious tourists. The features provided by travel apps could be particularly useful for pilgrims along their pilgrimage, providing them with information such as the best route to take or a place to stay. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to examine which features pilgrims most value in a pilgrimage app and to determine which ones influence pilgrims’ intention to use a pilgrimage app. The study employed a qualitative and qualitative approach to understand pilgrims’ needs during their journey and their use of new technologies. First, 11 in-depth interviews were conducted to collect information regarding pilgrims’ use of smartphones and their needs while conducting a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. An online questionnaire was than designed in which respondents were asked to rate the importance of 24 possible features for a pilgrimage mobile app. A total of 1,140 valid responses were obtained. A factor analysis was conducted and several dimensions of app features were identified. A multiple linear regression was than conducted to evaluate if these dimensions could predict pilgrims intentions to use a pilgrimage app. The findings of the study will be useful for pilgrim app developers, in particular for the Camino de Santiago, to design apps adapted to the pilgrim’s needs and to develop strategies to encourage pilgrims to use the app.
- Religious Tourism in Portugal: the Case of Nossa Senhora da Lapa ShrinePublication . Dias, Hermínio; Antunes, Joaquim; Barroco, Cristina; Amaro, SuzanneSince the Portuguese are predominately Roman Catholic, religious tourism has a great potential to contribute to tourism development in several regions of the country. Religious tourism in Portugal is extremely rich and diverse and integrates several organized and well known routes (e.g. The Way of St. James and Ways of Fátima), a variety of religious festivities, sacred heritage, Jewish legacy and famous religious shrines. Among them, the Nossa Senhora da Lapa Shrine should be distinguished since it is one of the oldest in Europe. In fact, during the Medieval Period, the Lapa Shrine and the Santiago Shrine (in Spain) were the most important pilgrimage sites on the Iberian Peninsula. However, over time the Lapa shrine has been forgotten and its development has been far below expectations. The aim of this study is to examine the importance of religious tourism in the economic development of a small community (Lapa) and identify the most important aspects when visiting a shrine. For this purpose, a questionnaire was developed and applied between October and November of 2014 to the visitors of the Lapa Shrine. A total of 250 responses were obtained. The results reveal that the majority of the respondents consider religious tourism very important to local development. The most important factors when visiting a Shrine are the existent monuments, cleanliness, the existence of museums and exhibition rooms, the religious festivities that occur there and having restaurants in the surroundings. It should also be noted that over 94% of the respondents consider the Lapa Shrine an attractive religious tourism site. Thus, religious tourism could be a great opportunity to strengthen local economy. Accordingly, the Lapa Shrine should be considered as an anchor for the region’s tourism development.
- As tecnologias de informação e comunicação na dinamização da Rota do Vinho do DãoPublication . Amaro, Suzanne; Barroco, Cristina; Antunes, JoaquimAs rotas dos vinhos, enquanto pólos catalisadores do Enoturismo, funcionam como alavancas do desenvolvimento local e regional. O objectivo deste estudo consiste em avaliar, através de um conjunto de indicadores, o nível de desenvolvimento e utilização das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC) na dinamização da Rota do Vinho do Dão, constituída por 35 aderentes. Os resultados demonstram que são ainda poucos os aderentes que utilizam as TIC como forma de divulgação dos seus serviços, limitando a dinamização de toda a rede. A informação obtida constituirá um ponto de partida na implementação de algumas estratégias para tornar a Rota do Vinho do Dão mais competitiva e, consequentemente, contribuir para o desenvolvimento das regiões envolvidas.
- Turismo em espaço rural: tendências e oportunidadesPublication . Barroco, Cristina; Antunes, Joaquim; Amaro, SuzanneO Turismo em Espaço Rural surgiu como um produto alternativo ao turismo de massas, destinado a captar segmentos específicos da procura turística. O nosso país possui um conjunto considerável de empreendimentos desta natureza, capazes de criar oportunidades para requalificar e revitalizar territórios rurais. Neste contexto, surgiu o presente estudo centrado na análise da oferta e(des)ajustamento da procura do turismo em espaço rural, tomando como referência as estatísticas nacionais, complementadas com um estudo empírico a turistas portugueses. Foram realizados 145 inquéritos a potenciais turistas da população portuguesa, com o objectivo de perceber as suas necessidades e motivações para o Turismo em Espaço Rural. Através da técnica de Cluster Analysis, foram identificados quatro segmentos que valorizam diferentemente os factores relacionados com os empreendimentos TER. Esta análise pode fornecer informação útil para orientar os empreendedores e os responsáveis pelas políticas locais nas suas estratégias de desenvolvimento de um turismo sustentável apropriadas ao contexto local.