Conceição Cunha

Bio: Conceição Cunha is an academic researcher from University of Aveiro. The author has contributed to research in topics: Tourism & Rural tourism. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 10 publications receiving 48 citations.

Lifestyle Entrepreneurs: The Case of Rural Tourism

Abstract: Tourism is considered a potential tool for developing rural territories which are increasingly affected by loss of economic opportunities and, consequently, some social problems such as depopulation and population ageing. Rural tourism lifestyle entrepreneurs are tourism business owners actively seeking a different lifestyle in rural territories.

Literary rural tourism entrepreneurship: case study evidence from Northern Portugal

Abstract: The connection between rural tourism and literary tourism, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship practices, lacks a deeper study in its varied intersections and dynamics. This paper considers these relations, within the limits of potentiality and inherent risks, taking as a best practice example a non-profit organization based in the north of Portugal. At stake here are concepts such as literary tourism, rural tourism, lifestyle entrepreneurship and local sustainable development, focusing specifically on the use of local resources, with local impact, to create a differentiated offer in order to target a niche market. Rural tourism entrepreneurship, highly motivated by lifestyle aspirations, born out of literary heritage, can be sustainable and result in innovative products embedded with endogenous resources, with a significant positive socio-economic impact on the local community.

Entrepreneurship in rural hospitality and tourism. A systematic literature review of past achievements and future promises

Abstract: Entrepreneurship in the rural hospitality and tourism sector (RHT) has received wide attention in the past decade. However, a systematic review on this topic is currently lacking. This study aims to track the progress of the RHT and entrepreneurship literature by examining the various thematic research areas, identifying the research gaps and forecasting avenues of future research on the topic.,This paper catalogs and synthesizes the body of literature from the year 2000–2020 using a systematic literature review methodology. After discussing a brief history of RHT and entrepreneurship, the current study presents a review of 101 research articles.,The review highlights that RHT and entrepreneurship have received relatively limited attention from entrepreneurship journals. The content analysis revealed different gaps and limitations in the understanding of entrepreneurship in RHT, including a predominance of qualitative studies with limited theoretically-grounded and generalizable empirical studies. Furthermore, a high concentration of studies is from European countries. Six main thematic research areas were identified, namely, barriers and enablers, the roles of an entrepreneur, women in RHT, influencers of firm performance, innovation and value creation and methodological commonalities. The review also advances an RHT entrepreneurship ecosystem framework to summarize the findings.,Six promising research avenues are outlined based on the six themes identified. The suggested research questions draw from allied literature on small and medium businesses, innovation, women entrepreneurship and institutions to encourage the interdisciplinary cross-pollination of ideas. The findings are summarized in a novel research framework.

'Slow down, your movie is too fast': Slow tourism representations in the promotional videos of the Douro region (Northern Portugal)

Abstract: Slow tourism provides a new approach to contemporary touristic practices by taking into account local populations, extending the length of stay at the destination, and making the tourist experience more fulfilling. The Douro is a rural region that could benefit from slow tourism practices. However, the main tourism activity at the destination is presently limited largely to all-inclusive cruises packages in the Douro river valley, the terroir of the world-renowned port wine. This research first explores the extent to which attributes of slow tourism exist in the region, particularly in relation to modes of transport, local attractiveness, natural and built heritage, and interaction with local people. It then investigates how they are represented in promotional videos of the Douro region produced by the municipalities in conjunction with its DMO. A qualitative analysis of content was conducted alongside with an in-depth interview. The study takes a multi-method approach by analyzing not only the content but also the context by drawing upon complementary information provided by the interviewee. The results obtained testify to the presence of some slow tourism attributes in the videos. However, a clear message is still missing that could elevate the potential of this region to become a sustainable and slow destination.

“Making do” in rural tourism: the resourcing behaviour of tourism micro-firms

Abstract: We propose entrepreneurial bricolage as a framework that enables the description, explanation and exploration of the modus operandi of tourism micro-firms. Particularly, the notion of spatial brico...