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- A tourism research agenda for PortugalPublication . Silva, João Albino; Rodrigues, Paulo M. M.; Mendes, Júlio; Pereira, Luis NobreThe need to direct research towards the tourism industry is related to the increasingly competitive environment it fi nds itself in, especially in terms of services rendered, having grown more complex in the features and critique that comprise the tourist experience, and as economic and social agents become more selective regarding both demand and supply. Possessing information and the proper understanding of the real needs of information users and those responsible for public and private decision-making processes at the action and intervention levels becomes a fundamental issue for sustainable tourism growth and its statement for international competitiveness. This paper proposes a tourism research agenda for Portugal in order to guide future developments towards the industry’s needs.
- The cultural offer as a tourist product in coastal destinations: The case of Algarve, PortugalPublication . Pinto, Patrícia; Manuela Guerreiro, Maria; Mendes, Júlio; Silva, João AlbinoLocated in the south of Portugal, the Algarve is the most important Portuguese tourism destination. As with most coastal destinations, sun and beach represents the main tourist product. Previous research suggests that cultural products can add value to the core product of a destination, enhancing its competitiveness. However, few empirical studies have examined this premise in coastal destinations. Based on the responses obtained from a questionnaire applied to tourists visiting the Algarve in the Summer of 2007, this study shows that when tourists experience high levels of satisfaction regarding the cultural offer available at the destination they sense that the tourist experience expanded their knowledge and intellectual horizons. Then, the study shows that this feeling of ‘‘cultural enrichment’’ is a contributing factor to the willingness to revisit the destination. The study concludes by discussing the implications of the findings obtained in improving the competitiveness of costal destination.
- The tourist experience: Exploring the relationship between tourist satisfaction and destination loyaltyPublication . Mendes, Júlio; Pinto, Patrícia; Manuela Guerreiro, Maria; Silva, João AlbinoPrevious studies show that the quality of the tourist experience is aff ected by a large set of factors, many of which not directly related to the acquisition of specifi c products or services. Research also shows that tourist satisfaction is a determinant of destination loyalty. Th is study explores this topic by empirically analysing how the relationship between the satisfaction with the tourist experience and destination loyalty is aff ected by personal factors, such as socio-demographic characteristics and travelling motivations. Th is study is based on a small region representing an important destination in Algarve, Portugal, and uses data from a survey conducted on tourists of diff erent nationalities during peak season. We identify the reasons leading to dissatisfaction with the tourism experience and, based on structural equation modelling, ascertain the relationship between satisfaction levels with the tourism experience and tourist destination loyalty. Th en, a multiple group analysis provides a detailed overview of this relationship by establishing in which groups of tourists the relatedness between satisfaction and destination loyalty is stronger or weaker. In this sense, this study provides an important backdrop for destination managers looking to off er more eff ective and targeted marketing strategies.
- Evaluating museum service quality: a scale validation and testPublication . Gosling, Marlusa de Sevilha; Silva, João Albino; Mendes, Júlio; Coelho, Mariana de Freitas; Oliveira Meira, Kelly CristineMuseums are places which offer leisure, entertainment and tourism opportunities. Investigating the service quality dimensions in museums help researchers and managers to better understand visitors' satisfaction and therefore, enhance their experience. The purpose of this paper was to elucidate the perceived quality dimensions' of a local museum at Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, proposing and validating a scale. The research methodology applied was quantitative and 617 visitors were surveyed. Data were compiled using Exploratory Factor Analysis to reveal the perceived quality dimensions. Results showed that there are at least four dimensions concerning the museum service quality, named: (1) quality of information, (2) customer service, (3) communication and (4) tangible aspects. The fourth dimension deserves greater attention by museums' managers, since it was the most salient one.
- Tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty intention: A structural and categorical analysisPublication . Pinto, Patrícia; Silva, João Albino; Mendes, Júlio; Manuela Guerreiro, MariaThis study explores the relationship between travel satisfaction and destination loyalty intention. The research was conducted with 486 tourists visiting Arade, a Portuguese tourist destination. Taking as the basis the use of structural equation modelling (SEM), the results substantiate the importance of tourism satisfaction as a determinant of destination loyalty. Also, a categorical principal components analysis (CATPCA) provides a detailed analysis of this cause-effect relationship by establishing that greater levels of satisfaction (measured by overall satisfaction in terms of holiday experience, destination attributes and met expectations) result in increased likelihood of future repeat visits and a keen willingness to recommend the destination to others. Clusters of tourists were also identified and characterized in relation to satisfaction levels and loyalty intentions. These analyses provide a useful background in the planning of future tourist marketing strategies.