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- Encouraging Sustainable Practices and Behaviors in Tourism Consumers and Hotel Management: Côa Valley RegionPublication . Fortes, Aquiles; Sousa, Bruno; Carvalho, AidaEcotourism in Portugal is taking hold especially inland, because of an exceptional set of landscapes, protected natural areas, many leisure ac-tivities, and an overwhelming cultural heritage, making this the ideal destination for the responsible traveller. In this sense, the present study, of an exploratory nature, aims to understand the determinants of tourists decision-making process in contexts of ecotourism in the Côa region. A conceptual model was proposed to study the relationship be-tween seven variables, whose results were discussed considering the existing literature. Based on the administration of 136 questionnaires, the data obtained allowed us to conclude that the image of tourist-hotel enterprises has a fundamental role in the experience and satisfac-tion of the tourist, with the need to improve the degree of affectivity in relation to the hotel units. The natural heritage is vital for tourism, for ecotourism, and it is necessary to protect it. The need for greater regu-lation of ecotourism and the promotion of support for the creation of these projects is highlighted.
- Literary tourism in northern portugal: an exploratory perspectivePublication . Sousa, Bruno; Liberato, Pedro; Liberato, Dália; Pereira, Carina; Rodrigues, Cristina; Costa, Adriano; Malheiro, Alexandra; Esteves, Elsa Tavares; Carvalho, PedroThe present study intends to structure a tourist offer based on literary tourism, with the proposal of literary routes in the Northern region of Portugal, in particular the municipalities covered by the Regional Tourism Authority - Entidade Regional de Turismo do Porto e Norte (ERTPNP), through the dynamisation of its literary heritage and its socio-cultural stimulation. It is expected to contribute to the promotion of tourism policies oriented to the development of new products and experiences, based on the identity and specificities of the different territories involved, with relevant authors and works. In addition, it is expected to develop a prototype of an APP for the promotion and dynamisation of one of the literary routes, the most representative of the literary heritage of the region which will provide an immersive and rich experience. A process that will involve the different stakeholders.The project aims to create a territorial database where a literary tourism development model can be applied through tourist routes. The criteria for applying the methodology will be based on: Cultural value of literary activities and their attractiveness to visitors; Literary nature of activities offered; Benefits for the local community; Involvement of the local community in the design of literary experiences; Relationship between visitors, local producers, and the local community; Use of local resources for the development of literary experiences; Use of digital techniques to develop engaging and participatory experiences.
- Place knowledge management in promoting gastronomic tourism and regional development: a case study applied to the lampreia festival in PortugalPublication . Fernandes, José Miguel; Sousa, Bruno; Correia, RicardoIn recent years, management of the territory as a brand through the use of marketing tools hitherto used by companies has been gaining prominence. The importance of tourism as a driving force and driver of national, regional, and/or local economies is notorious. In view of the relevance of tourism, namely gastronomic tourism (in the dissemination and promotion of so many regions), the present chapter is strongly focused on this tourism segment. We consider adjusted, to perceive how the affectivity of the residents toward the local gastronomy, will be or are not determining factors in the valorization of the territories. In this study, it will be sought to understand the role of the local population (in particular, the population living in the municipality of Penafiel, i.e., Lamprey Festival) in the dynamization of this type of tourist. It is also sought to assess the degree of affectivity of the residents to the local gastronomy, in particular, with one of the delicacies present in the territory, the lamprey (i.e., perspective of tourism and hospitality). Research of a qualitative nature was carried out, namely through semistructured interviews and a focus group. The results show that the role of the residents is preponderant with regard to the success of gastronomic tourism in the territory in a logic of regional development. Specifically, the results seem to show a strong affectivity on the part of the residents, being that it can be used in the field of marketing of places and territorial communication. From an interdisciplinary perspective, the present study presents inputs for marketing (of places), for tourism, and for local development (e.g., tourism or gastronomic events). In the end, some limitations of the study are presented and the next lines of research are outlined.
- Literary Tourism: Literature Developments and Research Lines from 2015 to 2020Publication . Rodrigues, Cristina; Liberato, Dália; Esteves, Elsa Tavares; Sousa, Bruno; Liberato, Pedro; Costa, Adriano; Pereira, Carina; Malheiro, Maria Alexandra; Carvalho, PedroAlthough literary tourism is still an understudied field, the beneficial rela-tionship between tourism and literature is becoming very clear. Literary tourism involves the literary heritage of places, namely visits to sites related to literary works and the lives of writers. There are already some empirical studies that demonstrate the importance of this type of tourism as a guarantee of cultural enrichment of desti-nations and sustainable tourism practices. This tourism has begun to be explored in the development of tourism products and experiences, such as itineraries, or infras-tructures linked to literary heritage that increase the attractiveness and competitive-ness of destinations. This study analyzes literary tourism as a field of research and explores its state of the art through a bibliometric review that includes content anal-ysis. For this purpose, articles published in the period 2015–2020, identified in the Web of Science database, were analyzed. The results identify the main topics of these publications and their temporal analysis, the research methods and techniques applied, the case studies related to authors and works, also the geographies studied and some important insights on literary tourism that address different dimensions. Overall, this study provides a rich understanding of the contemporary study of literary tourism, in a particularly rich period in terms of scientific advances in this area, still under-expressed.
- The Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire: Validation Among Portuguese PopulationPublication . Arantes, Luzia; Sousa, BrunoThe primary objective of this study is to validate the Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ) for the Portuguese population, ensuring its reliability and applicability across the dimensions of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to sustainability. This validation is crucial for ensuring the SCQ captures local cultural nuances and provides reliable data to inform educational and policy strategies for promoting sustainability. To achieve this goal, a quantitative methodology was adopted, involving the translation and cultural adaptation of the SCQ into Portuguese. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 630 participants, aged 17 to 83, using an online platform. Ethical procedures were rigorously followed, including obtaining informed consent from all participants and ensuring data confidentiality. The factor structure of the SCQ was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The analysis confirmed a three-dimensional factor structure aligned with the environmental, social, and economic pillars of sustainability, as well as significant correlations between these dimensions and real-world sustainable practices such as recycling and energy conservation. The results confirmed the construct validity of the SCQ, demonstrating robust reliability indicators across its scales and acceptable model fit indices (CFI = 0.860; TLI = 0.851; RMSEA = 0.045). These findings highlight the questionnaire’s utility as a measurement tool for sustainable consciousness in the Portuguese context. The SCQ provides a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, and researchers. For instance, educators can use the SCQ to identify gaps in students’ sustainability knowledge, policymakers can prioritise areas for intervention based on public attitudes, and researchers can explore relationships between awareness and sustainable behaviours to design effective programs. Furthermore, this study contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by enabling data-driven strategies to integrate sustainability education into curricula, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable practices and behaviours essential for achieving global education goals.
- Perception of Georgian consumers towards corporate social responsibility in the restaurant industryPublication . Tvalavadze, Guram; Gogichadze, Anna; Sousa, Bruno; Ribeiro, Nuno A.; Fernandes, Paula OdeteThe growing importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR), espe- cially for consumers, cannot be denied. More and more businesses are implementing socially responsible campaigns, believing that consumers will actively support them. However, little is known about the meaning and importance of social responsi- bility for consumers, particularly in Georgia. This study investigates topics such as customer knowledge of CSR, their involvement with socially responsible restau- rants, whether they prefer socially responsible restaurants and their most valuable initiatives. In summary, the study investigates general consumer perceptions and expectations of CSR. A quantitative research method was selected to determine the impact of corporate social responsibility on consumer perception and behaviour in the restaurant industry. Four hundred people were surveyed using Google Forms. The questionnaire was distributed electronically through social media. Based on the results, it could be said that most people have already heard about corporate social responsibility. Also, respondents believe that environmental responsibility and pollution prevention are most closely associated with corporate social responsibility. They also have a positive attitude towards restaurants that are engaged in corporate social responsibility. In the case of similar products, prices, and services, they prefer restaurants that carry out corporate social responsibility activities. These data will help restaurant owners to make the best and most efficient decisions possible during the strategy development process, and it will underline the importance of corporate social responsibility for them.
- The Importance of International Volunteering for the Tourist Destination Image: Case Study in Barcelos (Portugal)Publication . Coutinho, Ricardo Pacheco; Sousa, Bruno; Santos, Vasco RibeiroThis research investigates the significant role of international volunteering, particularly through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), in shaping the image of Barcelos as a tourist destination. The study specifically examines various volunteer programs in Barcelos, such as construction projects, teaching, and agricultural assistance. It focuses on the volunteers’ perceptions and motivations and on the impact of their experiences on the city’s touristic recognition. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research analyzes responses from electronic surveys with 92 former ESC volunteers and interviews with four local organizations that host these participants. The findings reveal that international volunteering through specific programs enhances Barcelos’ image as a welcoming, culturally rich, and civically engaged tourist destination. This research highlights the importance of integrating such initiatives into the city’s tourism management strategy, suggesting that such efforts can significantly enrich the tourist experience and the overall image of the destination. Furthermore, the study identifies areas for future research, including the need for a more in-depth analysis of the long-term impact of these volunteering activities on the local economy and cultural sustainability. The limitations of the study, such as the use of a convenience sample and the reliance on self-reported data, which may influence the results and their generalizability, are also discussed. In conclusion, this work provides valuable insights for tourism managers and policymakers, demonstrating how international volunteering can be a strategic component in enhancing the image of tourist destinations. Through careful and strategic management, Barcelos can continue to develop and promote its identity as a destination for solidarity tourism and cultural vibrancy.
- The (wasted) potential of digital communication in low-density destinations: the case of three Portuguese municipalitiesPublication . Correia, Ricardo; Cunha, Manuela; Carvalho, Aida; Sousa, BrunoThis study aims to assess the online presence of three Portuguese low-density territories and analyze the communication strategies employed by public and private entities within each municipality. The alignment between public and private entities within each municipality is also examined as a potential factor that could impact the effectiveness of digital communication strategies.
- Understanding the role of brand attachment in the automotive luxury brand segmentPublication . Milheiro, Abílio Bragança; Sousa, Bruno; Santos, Vasco Ribeiro; Milheiro, Catarina Bragança; Vilhena, EstelaThe automotive trade is one of the main drivers of world economies, contributing to the sustainability and competitiveness of countries at a global level. The luxury sub-segment is the one facing the most significant growth and the one which presents the greatest challenges in the business-to-consumer (B2C) relationship. Brand Attachment refers to the cognitive and effective connection between consumers and “their” brands. The central objective of this research is to analyze, measure, and understand the impact of Brand Attachment on consumer behavior, in the specific context of the luxury segment of the automotive market. The conceptual model that is proposed seeks to highlight and study the possible connections and associations between Brand Attachment, satisfaction, commitment, trust, expectations, and loyalty with the brand selected for this study, the luxury automotive brand Porsche. The selected methodology was based on a case study based in the Portuguese market and the application of a questionnaire to customers of Porsche from Portugal. The results obtained through the empirical data allowed us to reach the conclusion that respondents who have a stronger affective and emotional connection with Porsche (intense level of Brand Attachment) tend to be those who are more satisfied and confident with the brand and are, consequently, more loyal. This study represents an important contribution to research on Brand Attachment in marketing and strategic management in the automotive sector, particularly in the Portuguese market, and supports the definition of the best marketing strategies to promote fruitful B2C relationships.