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- Local developments of the world summit on sustainable tourism: the municipal sustainable charter of surf in Aljezur,PortugalPublication . Machado, Virgílio; Pinto Contreiras, Joaquim; Carrasco, PauloThe object of this article is to question and answer whether an international normative instrument in tourism sustainability can be effectively implemented into the local governance plan. The research focused on a set of exercise problems of the governmental action put forth by a rural municipality, of low population density, but featuring a strong tourist intensity characterized by a dominant seasonal tourist-recreational-maritime activity: surf. Based on methodological instruments of a systemic nature linked to sustainability and law, it was possible to propose a municipal tourism sustainability charter adopted in 2017 by the municipality of Aljezur, in the tourist region of Algarve, Portugal. This may well be one of the first worldwide normative documents to adopt, complement and operationalize at a local level multiple concerns, suggestions and recommendations for local governance and sustainable tourism law originating from the World Summit on Sustainable Tourism+ 20.
- The Directive 2015/2302: new challenges to package travel and tourism law conceptsPublication . Machado, VirgílioThe object of this article is to question and answer if the Directive 2015/2302, dated 25 th November 2015, by the European Parliament and of the Council on package travel and related travel services is an important milestone in the systemic enhancement of package travel and tourism Law. Concerning the challenges that the current legal reality calls in the areas of information and communication to the tourist as well as the market organization in the provision of travel and tourism services. The research uses a comparative, historical and functional methodology to analyse and interpret the problems posed. In short, it questions whether the Directive meets functionally self-referential stability objectives in the market regulation of supply and demand for package travel, with benefits for the systemic understanding of the Tourism Law. The conclusions reveal a retreat of the framework law on the regulation of the sale of package travel market, with losses for the protection of consumer rights.
- Draft proposal for the sustainable municipal management of the surf tourism product in the municipality of AljezurPublication . Carrasco, Paulo; Machado, Virgílio; Contreiras, Joaquim; Gouveia, DanielleSustainability is a general principle of public tourism policies in Portugal and is a fundamental principle for development, recommended by general and sectoral international organizations, such as the European Union and the World Tourism Organization. Surfing is a human recreational, sporting and formative activity that can contribute to the recognition of Aljezur as a national and international tourist destination and also provide a significant development opportunity for its community.
- Local tourism accommodations and institutional strengthening in the interior of the Algarve, Portugal: the role of legislation and technologyPublication . Machado, Virgílio; Pinto Contreiras, Joaquim; Duarte, AnaPurpose: This study sought to understand how legislation and technology can enhance socio-economic development in low density population territories, focusing specifically on the dynamics of local tourist accommodation over the last decade. Design/methodology/approach: A case study was conducted for five municipalities in one of the most significant tourism regions of Portugal - the Algarve - based on a systematic investigation of relevant laws, regulations and electronic platforms. Official statistics were compiled and analyzed for the five territories’ registered local accommodation services, population, overnight stays, and additional local services. Findings: The results reveal that public entities’ regulations favor microentrepreneurship initiatives in local accommodation and that digital tools supported by online platforms have quite visible effects on low density territories. The findings also reveal that the local tourist accommodation supply has experienced an especially dynamic, sustained growth over the last decade. This expansion has been accompanied by an increased supply of other services, suggesting that accommodation can positively influence the existing and/or future socio-economic development of low density territories. Research limitations/implications: Further studies focusing on other areas with low density populations are needed to determine more clearly how local accommodation influences socio-economic development.
- Corporate social responsibility in tourism: The case of Zoomarine AlgarvePublication . Contreiras, Joaquim; Machado, Virgílio; Duarte, Ana PatríciaThis study had a threefold purpose. First, it sought to examine the opinion of three important stakeholders – employees, visitors and members of the local community – about the corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of the theme park, Zoomarine Algarve. Second, this study evaluated the perceptions of the public regarding the impact of the company’s activities on regional development and environmental awareness. Last, the study sought to understand if stakeholders’ opinions regarding this company’s engagement in CSR practices are related to the impacts attributed to Zoomarine Algarve’s regular functions. The methodology comprised quantitative research based on a survey administered to convenience samples of the target groups (n = 405). The results reveal that stakeholders have an extremely positive view of the theme park’s engagement in CSR practices and feel that it contributes significantly to regional development, as well as to raising the environmental awareness of visitors and local communities. The findings also show that perceptions of CSR engagement are positively related with perceived impacts.