Repositório RCAAP

The housing market is an important industry not only in a country’s economy but also for the living conditions of the population. Several studies explain how real estate is related to the main economic indicators of a country. Using the Engle-Granger cointegration methodology, this research studies the main drivers of the housing prices of a European country that suffered a financial crisis. Analysing the Portuguese housing market with quarterly data between 1998 and 2019, it is possible to show that in the long term, unemployment and interest rates are negatively related and that population, inflation and money supply are positively associated with housing prices. With this study, it is possible to conclude that economic issues are relevant to the housing market and mainly to home prices.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Information Technology in the development of sustainable competitive advantage in organizations through implementing knowledge management. This research is applied research in terms of purpose and correlational research in terms of data analysis. the statistical population of this study was 45 Companies active in the electronic insurance industry of Iran. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The results showed that IT has a positive and significant association with a sustainable competitive advantage and knowledge management of the companies under study. The results of this study showed that companies operating in the electronics insurance industry can achieve a sustainable competitive advantage by using the appropriate tools of IT and implementing knowledge management.

This study seeks to ascertain whether the risk factors in the asset evaluation models proposed by Fama and French (1993, 2015) contain information that help in forecasting regional economic growth. To this end, based upon samples of Gross Domestic Product for three regions, North America, Asia Pacific and Europe, covering the period between 1991 and 2018, we applied the quantile regression analysis technique. The empirical results suggest that the performance of regional risk factors contains information that helps in forecasting the regional level of economic growth. This furthermore concludes that the regional risk factors help in forecasting the economic growth of countries with developed and large-scale share markets.

Nautical tourism revolves around alternative aspects such as leisure activities related to water, sports, and navigation. In recent decades, it has positioned itself as one of the most developed segments within the global tourism market. This article analyses the main contributions in this area, understanding the complexity of finding an approximate definition of its concept. The objective is to analyse from 1989 to 2019 the scientific production of the term “nautical tourism” in addition to identifying which keywords and trends related to nautical tourism are currently being developed through the VOSviewer programme. For this, a bibliometric study of the documents inscribed in the WoS and Scopus databases has been carried out. Future trends in research include terms such as security, management risk, and Mediterranean.

Productivity 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.

Studies indicate that 80 % of all Tourism in Europe is held in coastal areas. In Portugal the number grows to 90 %, a fact that raises two distinct but equally relevant types of concerns: on one side the pressure for maintaining the shorelines and beaches clean and aesthetically appraisable for visitors, and on the other side, the potential massification of tourism that stands on the opposite end towards preserving the environment of tourism locations. This study focuses on the relevance of the oceans’ preservation for the tourism sector in Portugal, specifically in the Algarve, and on how sustainability is being addressed regarding plastic use and its negative outcome, particularly marine litter and the damages it inflicts on coastal areas. The methodology adopted was literature review and case studies analysis of a set of governmental, non-governmental and private tourism sector stakeholder’s actions and programmes. Findings suggest that the promotion of circular economy is a path several organizations are already undertaking in order to address plastic use towards a more sustainable planet and Tourism development. Results also indicate that Design is an important facilitator for the change of the tourism sector towards this new circular economy model.

This paper aims at analysing the way institutions, under the approach of New Institutional Economics, incentivize or restrict the development of a wine tourism destination. This is a case study conducted in Vale dos Vinhedos, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, which is the main wine tourism destination in the country. A documental analysis was held along with interviews with 13 representative organizations (public and private) of wine and tourism sectors in the region. In the study, it was observed that wine tourism in Vale dos Vinhedos, lacks formal institutions, being solidly based on informal institutions, in other words, cultural region’s patterns. Additionally, the entry of new tourism players, with a different mindset, creates conflicts and institutional pressure, especially related to land usage. It can be observed that leadership structures connected to these sectors have put effort to promote the destination. However, there is little formal institutional incentive. Thus, to solve these bottlenecks, it is recommended that the formulation of incentive policies be coherent with the informal institutional structure of the region, that they support local entrepreneurship, aiming at wine tourism dynamization in small properties, the definition of a shared destiny view and the roles of different segments of governance.

Bibliotourism is a recent concept and an emergent segment of cultural tourism. Considering both the phenomena of tourism increase and the passage from the information society on to the knowledge society, the role of public and heritage library faces new challenges and priorities. The building’s architecture, the artistic bookshelves display, and the value of the collection may be offered as cultural values, determining the library as a tourist attraction. Furthermore, libraries may also assist in all the travel phases, from the preparation to the place experience and its memory preservation. Considering that the cultural tourism motivations are related to learning, experiencing and understanding the place’s history, culture and heritage in both intangible and tangible components, libraries, as documental repositories, are crucial to support the tourist’s information needs and demands. While traditional libraries are reinventing cultural mediation strategies to spread knowledge about those issues, namely by organising exhibitions and performative events, digital libraries, over the past two decades, have become crucial channels in obtaining information. By providing access to data through a range of resources and services in a very inclusive and ubiquitous manner, digital libraries are an essential tool to the tourism planners and consumers, and play a strategic role for the newest tourist generations, and mainly for the Generation Z tourists. Bibliotourism and tourism activities focused on libraries create mutual benefits and development opportunities, as the available knowledge enhances the sense of place and more immersive experiences. The research in this field is at a very early stage, and the theoretical framework is underdeveloped, even if some case studies have been presented in the last years. The main objectives of this paper, conceived as a descriptive study, are to provide critical analysis of the bibliotourism concept and to provide an overview of how to approach the public libraries functions from a touristic perspective. The methods used to achieve these objectives are based on bibliographic research, by confronting the term citations in the general and specialised press with its references in scientific journals, followed by the direct observation of the use of libraries by tourists, in the framework of a theoretical and empirical research model. The expected results are the creation of a new perspective about integrating libraries, cultural mediation and entertainment in leisure tourism and a contribution to the definition and description of a bibliotourism concept.

The article discusses the development of industrial tourism as a way of country-of-origin promotion. The paper presents a study which focuses on determining the current situation of industrial tourism, and the peculiarities of international communication strategies in promoting industrial tourism in China. The methods of online international communication in promoting industrial tourism in China were analyzed in this study, specifically Shanghai’s strategy of promotion was chosen where 17 industrial tourism examples received additional governmental support and advocacy. As a result, it was found that the mechanism of international promotion is largely related to existing standards, new communication technologies are used in limited ways, and all the provided information is mostly not adopted for international target audiences. The analysis is made on the basis of theoretical and empirical data, both available by free access and the author’s data. The methods of data collection are analysis of scientific literature and content analysis of Internet sources.

The study examined the spatial structure and the association between COVID-19 cases and selected climatic variables. Data on cases, deaths, recovery were obtained from the COVID-19 Resources website of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). The climatic variables were selected included Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Water Vapour (WV) and collated from the NASA Earth Observations (NEO). Spatial and inferential statistics were used to examine spatial autocorrelation and associations with these variables. Results show that China, Italy, and Iran have the largest number of confirmed cases, the highest recovery (81%) was recorded in China. Confirmed cases have 7 clusters and 2 outlier locations. There are 21 and 17 spatial outliers for recoveries and deaths respectively. There are 2 natural clusters of the incidences and 98.7% of the locations belong to one of the groups. A weak but statistically significant (P<0.05) associations were observed for the incidence and the climatic variables. The analysis of spatial structure revealed more insight into the distribution of the disease, shedding more light on areas with needs for more investigation (outlier locations) and providing opportunities for mitigating spread and re-emergence.

The present article aims to explain why community-based natural resource management and tourism certification are the main concerns in academic literature on tourism sustainability implementation. The method of choice is a systematic review of literature based on the Prisma Statement for Systematic Reviews. Sources of interest were identified within the Web of Science Core Collection and other repositories. From a total of 430 records screened, 106 stable documents were selected and submitted to content analysis to create a matrix coding of mentions of sustainable tourism implementation in highly cited publications. A content analysis revealed that sustainable tourism implementation encompasses eight sub-categories of interest in current research outputs. Those sub-categories are: (1) Adaptive resource management (ARM), (2) Carbon mitigation approach; (3) Community-based Conservation Areas (CCAs) and Community-based ecotourism; (4) Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM); (5) Multiobjective Optimization model (6) Social reinvestment strategy; (7) Tourism Sustainability Certification and (8) Transition Management. The analysis revealed that implementation strategies such as Community-based natural resource management and the Tourism Certification Approach, covered 60 percent of all mentions of methods of sustainability implementation in the literature selected and should be treated as leading accelerators of tourism sustainability, yet much work needs to be done explain how and why a certain destination or tourism business meet set standards over time and across national contexts.

March 2020. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus restricted global mobility as cities and countries started to impose complete lockdown to curtail the spread of the deadly virus. The restricted movement of people and transport worldwide resulted in a metamorphosis from overtourism to zero tourism within a short period. This study aims to analyse the effect of COVID-19 on the tourists’ perceptions about crowding and how will this transition impact their decision while choosing a destination. In-depth interviews were conducted with tourists, and Nvivo12 plus was used to analyse the data. The study reveals that in the post-COVID-19 phase, tourists will be more sensitised towards crowding, and they would volunteer to avoid crowded places in the short run. Further, maintenance of social distancing norms and sanitised services at destinations will be a pre-requisite in selecting a destination. The study is a pioneer in analysing the changing tourist’s behaviour concerning crowding, evolving perceptions of overtourism for the tourists which will aid the stakeholders at the destinations in developing strategies. Inadvertently, the tourists visibly reflected the need for sustainable tourism.

This conceptual paper proposes using a new Community-based diffused tourism (CBDT) model, which is based on the consolidation of Community-based tourism and ‘Albergo diffuso’ (AD). CBDT is a model of tourism development that is dispersed over a given territory. It consists of an assemblage of hospitality facilities, social cohesion, and commonality of aspirations to empower disadvantaged communities and develop local economies for profitsharing tourism. The Social and Solidarity Economy of Argentina presents possibilities upon which CBDT can be formed. This opens up chances to describe culture and community in local terms. The CBDT is a confluence of minds, services, resources, and capacities serving a common purpose for the common good. The CBDT model has the characteristics of ownership/control residing with the local community, is geographical/space-specific, and boasts several typologies, such as neighbourhood-based CBDT, street-based CBDT, and ‘building’-based CBDT involving inhabited and uninhabited spaces.

Ecotourism has the potential to support protected areas (PAs) financing where PAs’ visitor centers (VCs) are mechanisms for raising public awareness, and revenue generation. Park agencies must shift from a sole emphasis on preservation to include management approaches that increase the benefits of ecotourism and promote partnerships, collaboration, and integration of tourist activities into protected areas core business. A strategy is needed for Wadi El Gemal National Park (WGNP) to enhance tourism practices in a manner that will protect ecosystems, benefit the local community, and promote sustainability. Visitor centers contribution to the development and sustainability of PAs and ecotourism is rarely investigated. This article sheds the light on PAs’ visitor centers and their role in ecotourism, conservation, and PAs financial sustainability. It defines the potential ecotourism products and services in WGNP and its Visitor Center, elucidates the impacts of COVID-19 on the park and the local community, and identifies the necessary tools and resources to implement a sustainable business and management model for WGNP Visitor Center. The results of the VC’s probability analysis and the financial indicators suggest that the Visitor Center is financially feasible and could present a model of sustainable revenue generation and ecotourism development in WGNP.

In June 2019, a red tide caused by the dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedra, whose toxins do not cause harm in humans, developed in the Algarve coast (southern Portugal). The occurrence of algal toxins and consequent interdiction of bivalve harvesting is common in this region, but harmful algal blooms that lead to water discolouration are rare. This study analyses the scientific accuracy of the information communicated by news media, and consequent public reactions, by analysing news pieces shared on Facebook by regional and national news media outlets, and comments to the news posted by individual users. Overall, news pieces had a sensationalized, negative tone, and many lacked scientific accuracy. For instance, some news referred that ingestion of contaminated water, fish, and shellfish leads to gastrointestinal problems, and the toxic substances that the algae produce may contaminate the air and cause respiratory difficulties – which is false in the case of a L. polyedra bloom. Many commenters showed an adverse reaction to the event, most likely influenced by the negative portrayal of the red tide by news media. Other Facebook users were quite knowledgeable about the red tide, due to their previous experience with these events. Individuals seemed to be aware of the lack of cooperation between authorities and scientists and expressed their mistrust in these stakeholders. As red tides may become a common feature in the Algarve coast, journalists, scientists, and authorities should strive to offer accurate and responsible information to the public.

Artificial reefs (AR) may be ignored by many people, probably because they are usually unseen structures. Even so, there are users that believe in the value of these structures even without observing them, as is the case of most fishermen and anglers. Divers usually believe in AR and are the ones effectively able to notice them. Based on the previous simple premises, the aim of this paper is to ascertain the perception coastal community people and tourists have on the risks and benefits derived from the presence of AR nearby. AR were deployed off the Algarve from 1990 to 2003. The methodological approach for sampling purposes used a search engine with key-terms following a simple 3-step protocol: identification, screening, and eligibility. The eligible documents were analysed using qualitative data analysis software. Most documents found were from AR promoters named as “institutional” and communication “media” reporting mostly AR by the supply side. Sources from companies named as “firms” and discussion “fora” were mostly on the demand side. The contents of the samples were assigned onto two different categories: risk and safety. These derived into the relevant criteria where alternatives were judged to achieve the goal stated in the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). AHP sensitivity analyses were carried out and the best choices were calculated.

Luanda Bay and Mussulo Lagoon, situated in Luanda (Angola), are two coastal ecosystems highly sensitive to environmental issues, such as climate change, water pollution, eutrophication, and harmful algal blooms. These environmental problems can severely affect the quality of life of coastal populations. In this study, we aim to evaluate several psychological variables, such as environmental risk perception and awareness, sense of place, environmental attitudes, and the overall quality of life of the coastal community in these areas, using a comprehensive questionnaire applied to residents and other ecosystem users. Results indicate that most respondents considered that they possess high knowledge about climate change, water pollution, and ingestion of contaminated seafood. However, regarding eutrophication and harmful algal blooms, most participants reported a low/moderate knowledge. Life experience and the media were reported as the most relevant sources of information on environmental problems. Respondents indicated a moderate risk perception towards environmental risks, and a moderate/high emotional attachment to the place. Residents’ perceived quality of life was moderate/good in terms of physical and psychological health, and social relationships, but the environmental component was perceived as weak. Results suggest that improvements in the natural environment are needed to increase the quality of life in these ecosystems.

Luanda Bay, the second largest bay and one of the most important ecosystems of the Angolan coast, supports many human activities. This bay supports a range of marine biodiversity that serves as a means of livelihood and source of income for more than fifty small-scale artisanal fisheries and collectors of worms and bivalve molluscs. The present study is the first record of this fishing activity in Luanda Bay and the objective was to characterize the resource exploitation in this bay based on field data obtained by distributing self-reported and structured questionnaires to the two fishing communities (fishermen and shellfish harvesters) in Luanda Bay: Luanda Island and Luanda Commercial Harbour. The results revealed that the two fishing communities used different vessel types during fishing activity. In the Luanda Island fishing community, the fishermen used rowboats (“Chata”) and motorboats, and in the Commercial Port of Luanda fishing community, they used an adapted vessel made of Styrofoam boards. The main gears were line/hooks (34.1%), shovel (25.0%), seine (9,1%), gillnet (6.8%), trawl (4.5%) and traps (2.3%). According to the local fishing communities, Pomadasys jubelini, Mugil cephalus, Dentex spp., Senilia senilis, Mactra glauca, Donax spp., Perna perna, and Lucinella divaricata were the predominant species. In relation to the earnings by fishing day, the Luanda Island community had a higher income (average: 14.4 ± 8.3 euros; maximum: 39.0 euros) than Luanda Commercial Harbour community (average: 8.4 ± 5.1 euros; maximum: 24.2 euros). Thus, the quality of life of the fishing communities seems to be highly depending on this activity.

Many models of place attachment and sense of place have proliferated in the last decades, and a consensus on the conceptualisation and operationalisation of these constructs is yet to be reached. We aim to contribute to this discussion, by proposing a new model and measurement of sense of place as an overarching construct, using exploratory and confirmatory analyses. Results suggested that sense of place is a second-order factor with four first-order factors: ‘place’, ‘people’, ‘time’, and ‘self ’. The ‘place’ dimension integrates emotional content associated with the place and can be loosely compared to the unidimensional place attachment in other models. The ‘people’ dimension corresponds to the sense of community construct, whereas the ‘time’ dimension reflects the importance of length of residence and intergenerational transmission. Finally, the ‘self’ dimension is more internally focused than the other dimensions, reflecting the role of the place for an individual’s distinctiveness and self-esteem. Our 32-item Sense of Place Scale is thus a valid and reliable measure based on a quadripartite structure of the sense of place construct.

More advanced systematic reviews and traditional literature reviews have been an important point in assessing the epistemological progress of any field.Mindfulness has been described as a process of bringing attention to moment-by-moment experience. In recent years, some researchers have established the influence of mindfulness on the tourists’ experience, and it has been gaining a growing interest. Several studies revealed numerous psychological benefits including mental ease, tranquility, relaxation, and well-being when tourists embrace a mindfulness state. Despite this, a systematic review of this topic has not been conducted. Our main goal is to synthesize the existing studies about mindfulness in the tourism area, to provide an overview of how mindfulness has been conducted, and to explore what are the main outcomes.A literature search was undertaken using four electronic databases, namely Science Direct, PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science. Quantitative and qualitative studies were included.All studies in the review used the mindfulness concept applied in the field of tourism.Using PRISMA guidelines, from a total of 517 records initially identified, 16 studies were selected for the review (n = 4240 participants).The reviewed literature suggested that mindfulness is effective in improving positive travel experiences, satisfaction, loyalty, happiness, well-being, and positive psychological and physical benefit. Mindful tourists are more responsive to sustainability practices and tend to be more connected to heritage sites.Mindfulness can be considered as a relevant concept that provides positive outcomes and may help to better understand the benefits derived by the tourists from traveling. Still, more research is needed to determine the efficacy and to clarify the contribution of processes of mindfulness to observed outcomes.