Áurea Rodrigues

Bio: Áurea Rodrigues is an academic researcher from University of Aveiro. The author has contributed to research in topics: Tourism & Sociology. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 13 publications receiving 137 citations. Previous affiliations of Áurea Rodrigues include University of São Paulo & Instituto Politécnico Nacional.

Hiking as a relevant wellness activity - results of an exploratory study of hiking tourists in Portugal applied to a rural tourism project

Abstract: New forms of tourism are gaining ground throughout the world. Nowadays, successful tourism destinations must offer variety and new tourism products, addressing special interest niches. One increasi...

The Sky and Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case Study of a Dark Sky Reserve Implementation in Alqueva

Abstract: This paper shows the development of a tourism product in a destination that uses the night sky as its main source of attraction. Using this innovative product has helped to create a distinctive image, which is likely to attract a more diverse range of visitors and has assisted in improving economic, social and environmental sustainability. First, we present an overview about sustainable tourism and the sky as a tourism resource followed by a case study, in Portugal, that illustrates the potential of Dark Sky activities for tourism development in rural regions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Received 1 September 2011; Revised 26 November 2013; Accepted 9 December 2013

Discussing the Potential Benefits of Hiking Tourism in Portugal

Abstract: This study discusses the relevance and potentialities of hiking as a tourist activity, looking at its particular role and potential in Portugal. Based on results of a survey of Portuguese and foreign hikers (N= 200) encountered in different natural areas in Portugal, three groups of hikers are distinguished by the amount of money spent per day during their visit on the walking path. Statistically significant differences between them are studied in order to identify the profile of “biggest spenders” that, arguably, may be the most appealing segment to cater to. The analysis reveals visitor features and patterns of behaviour that are most associated with different levels of spending and correspondingly point at potential interventions aiming at increasing spending at the hiking destination. Also other economic, environmental, social and cultural consequences of selecting the segment of “big spenders” and investing in it to attract it and satisfy its needs are discussed, in a perspective of sustaina...

Constraints, nostalgia and North Americans' visits to rural Europe

Abstract: Goal and objectives of the dissertationGoalNorth America is the biggest long haul tourist market to Europe, but the number of tourists has been decreasing over the last years and most of these trips are to cities. In spite of the relevance of this market to Europe it has been understudied by researchers. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the role of travel constraints, nostalgia and travel experience in shaping North American tourists' intentions to revisit rural European destinations.ObjectivesFor to achieve the purpose the work the following research questions were addressed:RQ1. What is the definition and scope of nostalgia, and how can this construct be operationalized in the context of North American tourists returning to rural Europe?Addressing RQ1 required following standard scale development steps as outlined by DeVellis (2003). To address RQ 1 the following hypotheses were tested:* H1: Nostalgia evoked by tourism has four dimensions, namely, personal, intrapersonal, cultural and virtual.* H2: Past positive time perception is positively related to nostalgia.RQ2. To what extent do travel constraints, nostalgia and travel experience influence North American tourists' intentions to revisit rural destinations in Europe?To address RQ2 the following hypotheses were tested:* H3: Nostalgia has a positive direct effect on the intentions to return rural Europe.* H4: Travel constraints have a negative direct effect on intentions to return to rural Europe* H5: Travel constraints have a positive direct effect on nostalgia.* H6: Nostalgia positively mediates the negative relationship between travel constraints and intentions to return to Europe.* H7: Constraints have a positive direct effect on negotiation.* H8: Negotiation has a positive direct effect on intentions to return to Europe.* H9: Experience in travel has a positive direct effect on intentions to return to rural Europe.MethodologyTo achieve the objectives of the thesis the methodology used was based on the application of a questionnaire-based survey. The research was done following several steps starting with an exploratory revision of literature. In the beginning the main theme of the thesis was to analyse multi-destination travel patterns of the North American market to Europe. First, the literature review showed that an analysis of the travel patterns of this market to Europe could be difficult, since it is a large territory, and eventually could not give clues to what could make this market to return and make rural holidays. The second step was based in an exploratory study undertake for three months in a region of USA based on a qualitative technique, namely, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. From this study resulted the constructs that were the theoretical basis for the construction of the research framework. After a review of literature and the development of the proposed model the program SPSS (version 19) was used for the univariate analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis, t-tests and the program AMOS (version 19) to develop Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling analysis.ResultsFirst, the hypothesis regarding the composition of the nostalgia scale was validated and then its mediating effect on the relationship between travel constraints to travel and intention to revisit rural Europe, then the remaining hypotheses were analyzed through their inclusion within the structural equation model. The confirmed hypotheses are H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H8. The rejected hypothesis is H7. Partially accepted hypotheses are:* H6: Was rejected in its separate test, but accepted within the overall model.* H9: This hypothesis is partially accepted, because expertise does not affect travel experience.Theoretical conclusionsIn summary, travel experience, nostalgia and negotiation have a positive relation with the intentions to revisit rural areas in Europe. …

Turismo e inovação em espaços rurais: estudo de caso da rede européia de turismo de aldeia

Abstract: O comportamento do consumidor em turismo tem vindo a alterar-se intensamente levando ao desenvolvimento de um mercado mais especializado e sofisticado centrado nas actividades especificas que podem ser desenvolvidas a nivel local. Neste contexto, os espacos rurais tem um apelo especial para os turistas por causa da mistica ligada ao mundo rural e as caracteristicas culturais, historicas, eticas e geograficas especificas destas areas. As empresas turisticas em espaco rural sao na sua maioria micro-empresas e PME's. O fenomeno da globalizacao criou uma grande pressao nas pequenas e medias empresas que apresentam dificuldade em formar unicidade num destino e em distribuir os seus produtos de uma forma abrangente. Assim, tem surgido nos ultimos anos novas formas de interacao entre os diferentes stakeholders, incluindo actores tanto do sector publico como privado, assim como as populacoes locais, em que todos juntam esforcos para o desenvolvimento e implementacao de redes em destinos turisticos. Consequentemente, a construcao de parcerias e a aplicacao de accoes e estrategias de marketing em conjunto podem reduzir o isolamento dos pequenos negocios permitindo o uso dos recursos de uma forma mais eficaz. No entanto, existe pouca literatura a evidenciar que a integracao das PME's que operam no sector do turismo em redes possa ser usado como um factor de inovacao que contribui para o desenvolvimento local. Neste artigo apresentamos um case study sobre os efeitos induzidos ao nivel de inovacao com a implementacao de uma Rede Europeia de Turismo de Aldeia, em cinco regioes europeias.

Rural tourism: the evolution of practice and research approaches – towards a new generation concept?

Abstract: This paper charts the evolution of rural tourism in the developed world as an alternative tourism form, popular since the 1970s with the market and with policy makers as a rural regeneration and conservation tool. It outlines parallels with the Butler tourism area life cycle: emergence; volume growth, complexity and geographical spread; followed by problems arising from increasing competition, lack of governance and leadership, societal change and technical developments. Research responses to rural tourism's growth and change are examined, analysing 1848 articles published since 2000 by interrogating Scopus to reveal responses by subject category and geographic distribution. The papers in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism’s new rural tourism Special Issue are discussed, noting how researchers have explored the conversion of rural tourism from sightseeing to numerous experiential activities, together with papers discussing governance, leadership, networking, product development and marketing. The paper co...

Health and medical tourism: a kill or cure for global public health?

Abstract: Purpose – The major purpose of this introduction to the special issue of Tourism Review on health and medical tourism is to outline some of main issues that exist in the academic literature in this rapidly developing field.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews relevant health and medical tourism and cognate literature.Findings – The paper identifies some of the interrelationships between different areas of health and medical tourism, including wellness and wellbeing tourism, dental tourism, stem‐cell tourism, transplant tourism, abortion tourism, and xeno‐tourism. Key to defining these areas are the relationships to concepts of wellness and illness and the extent to which regulation encourages individuals to engage in cross‐border purchase of health services and products. Key themes that emerge in the literature include regulation, ethics, the potential individual and public health risks associated with medical tourism, and the relative lack of information on the extent of medical tourism.Social...

Why artificial light at night should be a focus for global change research in the 21st century

Abstract: The environmental impacts of artificial light at night have been a rapidly growing field of global change science in recent years. Yet, light pollution has not achieved parity with other global change phenomena in the level of concern and interest it receives from the scientific community, government and nongovernmental organizations. This is despite the globally widespread, expanding and changing nature of night-time lighting and the immediacy, severity and phylogenetic breath of its impacts. In this opinion piece, we evidence 10 reasons why artificial light at night should be a focus for global change research in the 21st century. Our reasons extend beyond those concerned principally with the environment, to also include impacts on human health, culture and biodiversity conservation more generally. We conclude that the growing use of night-time lighting will continue to raise numerous ecological, human health and cultural issues, but that opportunities exist to mitigate its impacts by combining novel technologies with sound scientific evidence. The potential gains from appropriate management extend far beyond those for the environment, indeed it may play a key role in transitioning towards a more sustainable society.

Nature-Based Tourism: Motivation and Subjective Well-Being

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to understand hiking-tourist behavior by exploring tourist motivation, personal values, subjective well-being, and revisit intention. The study demonstrates the theoretical and empirical evidence of the relationships among the four constructs. Using a sample drawn from tourists in South Korea, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is carried out. As a result, “enjoying the natural environment and escaping from daily life”, “pursuing new type of travel”, “pursuing healthy life”, and “pursuing intimacy” are classified as motivations for hiking tourists. Moreover, in order to investigate the relevant relationships among the four constructs, a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach is used. The results indicate that revisit intention is affected by tourist motivation and subjective well-being. Furthermore, hiking-tourists’ motivation and personal values are effective predictors of subjective well-being.