Tourist’s motivations to visit the Western Region of Portugal

Authors

Daniela Amorim Polytechnic of Leiria, School of Tourism and Maritime Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0391-7554
Ana Elisa Sousa Polytechnic of Leiria, School of Tourism and Maritime Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0710-8829
Paulo Almeida Polytechnic of Leiria, School of Tourism and Maritime Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4797-2128
Tânia Guerra Polytechnic of Leiria, School of Tourism and Maritime Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7266-9374

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1231-1952.30.2.11

Keywords:

Western Region of Portugal, types of tourism, tourist offers, tourist motivations

Abstract

The Western Region, located in the Central Region of Portugal, has a vast and rich natural and cultural heritage allowing a wide range of tourist experiences. Consequently, the aim of this study is to analyse the tourist interests and motivations that lead tourists to visit the Western Region of mainland Portugal. In 2021, 355 individuals were surveyed through a questionnaire survey, mostly living in mainland Portugal. The results reveal that the preferences of respondents for the types of tourism they most like or would like to undergo in the Western Region are Sun and Sea Tourism, Leisure Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Adventure and Nature Tourism, and Gastronomic Tourism. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the tourists’ motivations to visit the Western Region, and may be an important contribution to the tourism management entities, in order for them to enhance and/or improve their offers in this region of Portugal.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

AJZEN, I. and FISHBEIN, M. (1975), ‘Understanding attitudes and predicting social behavior’. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall’, [in:] COOPER, C., FLETCHER, J., FYALL, D. GILBERT, A. and WANHILL, S. (2007). Turismo: Princípios e práticas (3ª ed.), pp. 64−105, Porto Alegre: Bookman.

AMORIM, D. (2019), Turismo cultural, turismo criativo e animação turística em eventos locais: Análise da motivação, qualidade, satisfação e fidelidade em dois festivais de artes performativas, Tese de Doutoramento. Universidade de Sevilha, Faculdade de Turismo e Finanças, Espanha.

AMORIM, D., JIMÉNEZ-CABALLERO, J. and ALMEIDA, P. (2019), ´Motivation and tourists’ loyalty in performing arts festivals: the mediator role of quality and satisfaction´, Enlightening Tourism. A Pathmaking Journal, 9 (2), pp. 100−136. https://doi.org/10.33776/et.v9i2.3626 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33776/et.v9i2.3626

ANDRADE-SUAREZ, M. and CAAMANO-FRANCO, I. (2020), ´The relationship between industrial heritage, wine tourism, and sustainability: a case of local community perspective´, Sustainability, 12 (18), pp. 1−21. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187453 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187453

AYDOĞDU, A., ÖZKAYA, O. E. and KÖSE, Z. C. (2016), ´Destinasyon Tercihinde gastronomiturizmi’nin önemi: Bozcaada örneği´, Uluslararası Türk Dünyası Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi, 1 (2), pp. 120−132.

BORLIDO, T. and KASTENHOLZ, E. (2021), ‘Destination image and on-site tourist behaviour: A systematic literature review’, Journal of Tourism & Development, 36 (1), pp. 63−80.

BJÖRK, P. and KAUPPINEN-RÄISÄNEN, H. (2019), ´Destination foodscape: A stage for travelers’ food experience´, Tourism Management, 71, pp. 466−475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.11.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.11.005

BRYDEN, D. M., WESTBROOK, S. R., BURNS, B., TAYLOR, W. A. and ANDERSON, S. (2010), Assessing the economic impacts of nature based tourism in Scotland Scottish Natural Heritage, (Commissioned Report nº398) Scottish Natural Heritage.

CAMPOS, A. C., MENDES, J., DO VALLE, P. O. and SCOTT, N. (2018), ‘Co-creation of tourist experiences: a literature review’, Curr. Issues Tourism, 21 (4), pp. 369–400, https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2015.1081158 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2015.1081158

CAO, L; QU, Y. and YANG, Q. (2021), ‘The formation process of tourist attachment to a destination’, Tourism Management Perspectives, 38, pp. 1−15, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2021.100828 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2021.100828

CARVALHO, G. (2017), ´Turismo cultural´, [in:] SILVA, F. and UMBELINO, J. (Coord.). Planeamento e desenvolvimento turístico, pp. 349−363, Lisboa: Lidel.

CARVALHO, R. (2011), Os eventos culturais e criativos poderão ou não contribuir para uma imagem diferenciadora do destino turístico maduro?, Tese de Mestrado em Desenvolvimento de Produtos de Turismo Cultural. Escola Superior de Gestão, Instituto Politécnico de Tomar, Portugal.

COOPER, C., FLETCHER, J., FYALL, A., GILBERT, D. and WANHILL, S. (2007), Turismo: Princípios e práticas (3ª ed.), Porto Alegre: Bookman.

CUNHA, L. (2007), Introdução ao Turismo, Lisboa: Verbo.

CUNHA, L. and ABRANTES, A. (2013). Introdução ao Turismo (5ª ed.), Lisboa: Verbo Editora.

GUNN, C. (1972), Vacationscape: Designing tourist regions, Austin: Bureau of Business Research, University of Texas at Austin. https://doi.org/10.1177/004728757301100306 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/004728757301100306

GUTIÉRREZ, H. and BOSQUE, I. (2010), ‘Los factores estimulo y personales como determinantes de la formación de la imagen de marca de los destinos turísticos: un estudio aplicado a los turistas que visitan un destino vocacional’, Cuadernos de Economía y Dirección de la Empresa, 43, pp. 37−63. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1138-5758(10)70009-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1138-5758(10)70009-8

HALL, C. and MITCHELL, R. (2001), Wine and Food Tourism, Brisbane: Wiley.

HUMAGAIN, P. and SINGLETON, P. (2023), ‘Reprint of: Exploring tourists’ motivations, constraints, and negotiations regarding outdoor recreation trips during COVID-19 through a focus group study’, Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 41, pp. 1−11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2021.100447 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2023.100626

JIMENÉZ, E. and MARTÍN, R. (2004), Analisis y tendencias del turismo, Spain: Edição Piramide.

KIVELA, J. and CROTTS, J. C. (2005), ´Gastronomy tourism: a meaningful travel market segment´, Journal Culinary Science Technology, 4 (2–3), pp. 39−55. https://doi.org/10.1300/J385v04n02_03 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J385v04n02_03

LANG, C. T. and O’LEARY, J. T. (1997), ´Motivation, participation, and preference: A multisegmentation approach of the Australian nature travel market´, Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, 6 (3−4), pp. 159−180. https://doi.org/10.1300/J073v06n03_10 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J073v06n03_10

LEIPER, N. (1979), ´The framework of tourism: Towards a definition of tourism, tourist, and the tourist industry´, Annals of Tourism Research, 6 (4), pp. 390−407. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(79)90003-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(79)90003-3

LEVITT, J. A., ZHANG, P., DIPIETRO, R. B. and MENG, F. (2019), ´Food tourist segmentation: Attitude, behavioral intentions and travel planning behavior based on food involvement and motivation ´, International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration, 20 (2), pp. 129−155. https://doi.org/10.1080/15256480.2017.1359731 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15256480.2017.1359731

LICKORISH, L. and JENKINS, C. (1997), An introduction to tourism, Scotland: Reed Educational and Professional Publishing, Lda.

LONG, P. and MORPETH, N. (2016), Tourism and the Creative Industries, London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315735870 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315735870

LOPEZ-GUZM, T, TORRES-NARANJO, M., PÉREZ-GÁLVEZ, J. C. and CARVACHE-FRANCO, W. (2019), ‘Segmentation and motivation of foreign tourists in world heritage sites. A case study, Quito (Ecuador)’, Curr. Issues Tourism 22 (10), pp. 1170–1189. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2017.1344625 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2017.1344625

MACOUIN, D. and PIERRE, I. (2003), Le tourisme de nature, Nantes: AFIT.

MASLOW, A. H. (1970), Motivation and personality (2ª ed.), New York: Harper & Row.

MATHIESON, A. and WALL, G. (1982), Tourism: Economic, physical and social impacts, London, New York: Longman.

MATHIESON, A. and WALL, G. (1996), Tourism: Economic, physical and social impacts, Harlow: Logman Scientific & Technical.

MAYO, E. J. (1973), ´Regional images and regional travel destination´. Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Conference of TTRA, pp. 211- 217, Salt Lake City, UT: Travel and Tourism Research Association.

MCINTOSH, R. W., GOELDNER, C. R. and RITCHIE, J. R. B. (1995), Tourism: Principles, practices and philosophies (7ª ed.), New York: John Wiley & Sons.

NEUHOFER, B., BUHALIS, D. and LADKIN, A. (2014), ‘A typology of technology‐enhanced tourism experiences’, International Journal of Tourism Research, 16 (4), pp. 340−350. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.1958 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.1958

OLIVEIRA, A. (2003), Turismo e desenvolvimento: Planejamento e organização (4ª ed. Revista e ampliada), São Paulo: Editora ATLAS.

OMT (2002), Cumbre Mundial del Ecoturismo: Informe final, Madrid: Organização Mundial del Turismo.

PUERTAS, X. (2004), Animación en el âmbito turístico. Ciclos formativos. FP Grado Superior Hostelaría y Turismo, Madrid: Editorial Sintesis.

REGIÃO OESTE, http://www.airo.pt/caracterizacao-da-regiao/ [accessed on: 01.06.2022].

REGIÃO OESTE, https://turismodocentro.pt/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Guia-Sub-Regional_Oeste.pdf [accessed on: 01.06.2022].

RICHARDS, G. (2010), ´Tourism development trajectories: From culture to creativity?´ Encontros Científicos. Tourism & Management Studies, 6, pp. 9−15.

SANTOS, J., CARVALHO, R. and FIGUEIRA, L. (2012), ´A importância do turismo cultural e criativo na imagem de um destino turístico´. Revista Turismo e Desenvolvimento – Produtos, destinos, economia, 3 (17/18), pp. 1559−1572.

SCHMOLL, G. A. (1977), Tourism Promotion, Londres: Tourism International Press, [in:] COOPER, C., FLETCHER, J., FYALL, A., GILBERT, D. and WANHILL, S. (2007), pp. 64−105, Turismo Princípios e Práticas (3ª ed.), Porto Alegre: Bookman.

SMITH, V. L. (1989), ´Hosts and Guests: The Anthropology of Tourism´ (2ª ed.). University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, PA., [in:] COOPER, C., FLETCHER, J., FYALL, A., GILBERT, D. and WANHILL, S. (2007), Turismo Princípios e Práticas (3ª ed., pp. 238−265), Porto Alegre: Bookman.

SOUSA, A. E. and JOUKES, V. (2022), ´O impacto da pandemia na hotelaria em Portugal Continental em 2020: Medidas e estratégias´, Tourism and Hospitality International Journal, 18 (1), pp. 116–138, https://thijournal.isce.pt/index.php/THIJ/article/view/56.

TIKKANEN, I. (2007), Maslow’s hierarchy and food tourism in Finland: five cases. British Food Journal, 109 (9), pp. 721−734. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070700710780698 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/00070700710780698

TISDELL, C. and WILSON, C. (2012), Natured-based Tourism and Conservation-New Economic Insights and Case Studies. Northampton, EUA: Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781781005163 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781781005163

TURISMO DE PORTUGAL (2019), https://www.sgeconomia.gov.pt/noticias/ine-estatisticas-do-turismo-em-portugal-2019-span-classnovo-novospan1.aspx [accessed on: 22.05.2022].

TURISMO DE PORTUGAL (2021), https://business.turismodeportugal.pt/SiteCollectionDocuments/ordenamento-turistico/guia-orientador-abordagem-ao-turismo-na-revisao-de-pdm-out-2021.pdf [accessed on: 10.07.2023].

TURISMO DE PORTUGAL (2023), https://business.turismodeportugal.pt/pt/Planear_Iniciar/Licenciamento_Registo_da_Atividade/Agentes_Animacao_Turistica/Paginas/reconhecimento-das-atividades-como-turismo-de-natureza.aspx [accessed on: 10.07.2023].

UNESCO (2006), Towards sustainable strategies for Creative Tourism. Discussion Report of the Planning Meeting for 2008 International Conference on Creative Tourism. Santa Fé, New Mexico: USA, http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/files/34633/11848588553oct2006_meeting_report.pdf/oct2006_meeting_report.pdf [accessed on: 27.02.2016].

UNWTO (2012), Global Report on Food Tourism, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Madrid, https://webunwto.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2019-09/food_tourism_ok.pdf [accessed on: 10.05.2022].

UNWTO (2017), Second global report on gastronomy tourism: sustainability and gastronomy, https://www.unwto.org/archive/global/press-release/2017-05-17/2nd-unwto-report-gastronomy-tourism-sustainability-and-gastronomy [accessed on: 10.05.2022].

UNWTO (2018), Report on tourism and culture synergies, Madrid: United Nations World Tourism Organisation, https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/epdf/10.18111/9789284418978 [accessed on: 10.05.2022].

YOO, C. K., YOON, D. and PARK, E. (2018), ‘Tourist motivation: an integral approach to destination choices’, Tourism Review. 73 (2) pp. 169–185. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-04-2017-0085 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-04-2017-0085

VALENTINE, P. (1992), Review: Nature-based tourism. Special Interest tourism, London: Belhaven Press.

WANG, R., HUANG, P., HU, J. and LI, Y. (2019), ‘Study on rural tourism experience of Wuyuan County based on online travel note’, Resources Sciences, 41, pp. 372–380.

WU, D. C., SONG, H. and SHEN, S. (2017), ‘New developments in tourism and hotel demand modeling and forecasting’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 29 (1), pp. 507−529. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-05-2015-0249 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-05-2015-0249