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- Productivity measurement: the case of nature tourism firms in PortugalPublication . Santos, Eleonora; Correia, Alexandra I.; Ferrreira, Fernanda A.; Nunes, Alcina; Veloso, Cláudia M.; Vieira, Elvira Pacheco; Silva, Goretti; Fonseca, Manuel José; 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.
- Do cultural activities and happiness matter to the tourism sector?Publication . Astike, Kristina; Borges, Ana Pinto; Skvarciany, Viktorija; Vieira, Elvira PachecoResearch purpose. The primary goal of this research is to determine the impact of the efficiency of the tourism sector in the European Union (EU). Design / Methodology / Approach. The analysis involved 25 selected EU countries using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Tobit regression modelling. For DEA expenses according to the stays per visit (1 night or over) when going to a foreign country, individuals actively working in the tourism industry and tangible heritage inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) are used as inputs and inbound tourism as an output. Variables for the Tobit model were as follows: cultural activities, Happiness index and tourist expenditure of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Findings. In nations characterised by lower efficiency levels, policymakers ought to enhance their strategies and encourage the advancement of their country's appeal to tourists. Additionally, there should be an increased emphasis on enhancing the well-being and happiness of the local population. Originality / Value / Practical implications. Theoretical research on the efficiency of the tourism sector in the EU lacks comprehensive studies that systematically examine the factors influencing efficiency across diverse EU member states. Although some research exists on specific aspects of tourism efficiency, such as environmental sustainability or economic impacts, there is a scarcity of holistic investigations that encompass various dimensions of efficiency, including resource utilization, infrastructure development, policy effectiveness, and socio-cultural impacts, within the EU's overarching context. Moreover, there is a limited exploration of potential variations in tourism efficiency among different EU regions and the underlying factors driving these differences. Bridging this research gap could offer valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academics seeking to enhance the overall efficiency and sustainability of the tourism sector in the EU. The study’s constraint lies in the exclusion of Denmark and Luxembourg, which is attributed to insufficient statistical data.
- Literacy, Resilience, and Financial Well-Being in Higher Education StudentsPublication . Dias, Patrícia; Borges, Ana Pinto; Vieira, Elvira PachecoThe authors assessed the determinants of the overall financial literacy indicator of higher education students in Portugal and the relationship between the financial literacy indicator and the indicators of resilience and financial well-being. Based on a non-parametric quantitative analysis, the authors used a sample of 469 higher education students. They observed that students present globally more satisfactory indicators compared to the Portuguese population and are influenced by demographic factors such as age, gender, level of education, and income. The results are far from reasonable, especially in the dimension related to knowledge. As also statistically confirmed, there exists a positive and significant relationship between the financial literacy indicator and the indicators of resilience and financial well-being. Therefore, this study adopts a novel approach that intends to link these indicators with higher education students, as there is still a lack of research that addresses the concept of digital financial literacy within this context.
- Outdoor tourism demand segmentattion: a case study from North of PortugalPublication . Scalabrini, E.C.B.; Correia, Alexandra I.; Nunes, Alcina; Veloso, Cláudia M.; Vieira, Elvira Pacheco; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Silva, Goretti; Fonseca, Manuel José; 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.
- The use of a geographic information system to increase outdoor tourismPublication . Scalabrini, E.C.B.; Correia, Alexandra I.; Fonseca, Manuel José; Nunes, Alcina; Veloso, Cláudia M.; Vieira, Elvira Pacheco; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Silva, Goretti; Carrança, Paulo; Santos, Sónia; Fernandes, Paula OdetePurpose: Outdoor tourism is a growing segment that still requires data for planning and management. Aimed to present the potential of the Geographic Information System (GIS) to improve outdoor tourism in the North of Portugal. To achieve this purpose, a case study was conducted on developing a Web-GIS in Northern Portugal. Methodology: Four steps were followed to develop the GIS tool with information about outdoor tourism in the North of Portugal. In the first step, municipalities in the North of Portugal sent information about outdoor activities. In the second step, the data were georeferenced and associated. In the last step, a Web-GIS was developed. Findings: The development of tools is an important source of support for tourism. This study identified that a tool such as the GIS could support a destination's decision-making and promotional processes, besides providing detailed information to the tourist and facilitating travel planning. Practical implications: GIS provides effective planning of outdoor tourism, once this tool allows an effective search of the tourist offer and, from the tourist's perspective, relevant suggestions of visits according to their location are presented, facilitating their experience in the region. Originality: Several studies relate to GIS and tourism, but there is still a gap in specific studies on outdoor activities. So, this study presents the importance of GIS to improve outdoor tourism in the North region of Portugal. Understanding this importance is essential in planning and managing tourism, helping further policymaking and marketing strategies.
- Outdoor tourism in the North of Portugal from the perspective of tourist entertainment companies (TEC)Publication . Martins, Oliva M.D.; Nunes, Alcina; Vieira, Elvira Pacheco; Rachão, Susana; Correia, Alexandra I.; Fonseca, Manuel José; Silva, Goretti; Santos, Sónia; Veloso, Cláudia M.; 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.
- Does CSR committee presence, stakeholder engagement, gender equality (SDG 5) and firm value influence ESG performance reporting? An EU pre and during Covid-19 analysisPublication . Monteiro, Albertina Paula; Cepêda, Catarina; Borges, Ana Pinto; Vieira, Elvira PachecoThis paper aims to analyse the corporate social responsibility (CSR) Committee presence and gender equality influence on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance reporting in a pre- and during Covid-19 crisis in European Union (EU) listed entities. Design/methodology/approach – To achieve the goal, an empirical analysis was conducted with 1,221 listed companies in EU as support for the economics years 2017–2021. Statistical technique used to analyse the relationship between the variables under study was regression analysis with panel data. Findings – Results show that CSR committee presence, stakeholder engagement and gender equality are positively associated with ESG performance reporting, but the Covid-19 crisis and the book value per share do not influence the dependent variable. The model variables determine 99% of the ESG performance reporting. Practical implications – The results are useful for managers, governments and organizations in developing sustainability reporting standards. As companies navigate the complex landscape of sustainability challenges, integrating sustainable development goals into their strategies and ESG reports provides a roadmap for creating positive, lasting impacts on a global scale. Originality/value – This research covers listed firms from throughout the EU and the pre- and during-Covid era.
- 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 I.; Rachão, Susana; Nunes, Alcina; Vieira, Elvira Pacheco; Santos, Sónia; Soares, Luís; Fonseca, Manuel José; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Veloso, Cláudia M.; 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, E.C.B.; Correia, Alexandra I.; Nunes, Alcina; Veloso, Cláudia M.; Vieira, Elvira Pacheco; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Silva, Goretti; Fonseca, Manuel José; 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. To this end, a survey was applied to visitors who practised outdoor activities in the region. The data was collected between June and September of 2021, and a final sample of 200 valid questionnaires was obtained. ln an overall analysis of the socio-demographic and professional profile of the respondents, it can be said that the sample is constituted by women (50.5%), aged between 28-38 or over (58.5%), with higher education levels (70.5%), single (53.3%) and Portuguese (94.5%), with an average monthly income between 601€ and 2400€ (74%). Most of them live in the Porto Metropolitan Area (25%) located in the Northern region of Portugal. Relating to outdoor activities, 35.5% of the sample occasionally practise these activities in their residence area, and 20% practise 1-2 times a week. The activities most practised were walking/hiding (28.8%), running (11.7%), and cycling (9.5%). This research demonstrates that 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. Therefore, this study contributes to the literature by expanding the discussion on outdoor tourism segmentation, an underestimated topic.
- The impact of macroeconomic factors on the European travel and leisure sector: the context of Russo–Ukrainian warPublication . Muddasir, Muhammad; Borges, Ana Pinto; Vieira, Elvira Pacheco; Vieira, Bruno MiguelThis study aims to address the macroeconomic factors effect on the travel and leisure (T&L) industry throughout Europe within the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war that have started on 24 February 2022. Specifically, top tourist destinations are analysed, such as Spain, France, Italy and Portugal, as well as Europe in general. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopts the panel regression approach based on the data that is provided on a daily basis, and it covers a period of nearly 14 months, starting on 24 February 2022 and ending on 15 April 2023. Findings – The findings indicate that the European T&L sector is impacted by macroeconomic variables. Namely, the T&L sector is significantly impacted by interest rates, geopolitical risk, oil and gas, whereas inflation has a muted effect, indicating a comparatively lesser influence on the dynamics of the industry. This research contributes to existing literature by providing one of the first quantitative analyses of how macroeconomic factors impact the European T&L business in the context of a geopolitical conflict. Research limitations/implications – A study of the Russian–Ukrainian war may be limited by a number of research constraints. The continuing nature of the conflict, the lack of communication between the parties and potential political prejudice are some of these difficulties. Any research on the Russo- Ukrainian war should be done with these limits in mind. Practical implications – Macroeconomic variables play a significant role on the T&L sector development; therefore, when designing resilience strategies, they need to be accounted for. Originality/value – To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to analyse how macroeconomic factors affected the European T&L business using a quantitative approach. The macroeconomic variables that were taken into account in this study included interest rates, inflation, oil and petrol prices, as well as the geopolitical risk index.