A gestão de experiências turísticas : o caso do Hotel ANC Experience Resort

Mestrado (Relatório de Estágio), Gestão do Turismo Internacional (Gestão da Hospitalidade), 13 de dezembro de 2021, Universidade dos Açores.O presente relatório tem por base o estágio realizado na unidade hoteleira ANC Experience Resort, ao abrigo do programa Estagiar L, com duração de nove meses, tendo início a 1 de outubro de 2020 e fim a 31 de junho de 2021. O estágio teve por objetivo consolidar e pôr em prática os conhecimentos assimilados ao longo da componente curricular do mestrado, tendo em vista a obtenção do grau de mestre em Gestão do Turismo Internacional, com especialização em Gestão de Hospitalidade. O foco do estágio incidiu sobre as práticas de gestão hoteleira desenvolvidas no departamento de receção desta unidade de alojamento turístico, que se localiza na Caloura, na vila de Água de Pau, na ilha de São Miguel, nos Açores. As funções desempenhadas incidiram primordialmente no atendimento aos hospedes (presencial, por telefone ou por email), realização de check-ins e check-outs, execução de pedidos de reservas e respetiva gestão, emissão de faturas, venda de produtos ao balcão e criação de conteúdos para as redes sociais do hotel. No presente relatório procede-se a um enquadramento teórico do tema em estudo, descreve-se a empresa, contextualizando-a, e desenvolve-se uma abordagem ao conceito de experiência turística, para depois se analisar a personalização da experiência turística, no caso da ANC Experience Resort. De seguida, apresentam-se as atividades desenvolvidas no estágio. O relatório prossegue com a aplicação de um conjunto de ferramentas estratégicas a unidade hoteleira, abordando o marketing estratégico e o marketing operacional. Para concluir, efetua-se uma análise crítica à gestão do estabelecimento hoteleiro, apresentando-se sugestões práticas, assim como uma apreciação pessoal desta experiência.ABSTRACT: This report is based on the internship carried out at the ANC Experience Resort Hotel, under the Estagiar L program, lasting nine months, starting on October 1, 2020 and ending on June 31, 2021. The internship aimed to consolidate and put into practice the knowledge acquired throughout the curricular part of the master, with a view to obtaining a master's degree in International Tourism Management, with a specialization in Hospitality Management. The internship focused on the hotel management practices developed in the reception department of this tourist accommodation unit, which is in Caloura, in the village of Agua de Pau, on the island of Sao Miguel, in the Azores. The functions performed focused primarily on serving guests (in person, by phone or by email), carrying out check-ins and check-outs, executing reservation requests and respective management, issuing invoices, selling products over the counter, and creating content for the hotel’s social networks. This report provides a theoretical framework for the topic under study, describes the company, contextualizing it, and develops an approach to the concept of tourist experience, to then analyze the personalization of the tourist experience, in the case of ANC Experience Resort. Next, the activities developed in the internship are presented. The report continues with the application of a set of strategic tools to the hotel unit, addressing strategic marketing and operational marketing. To conclude, a critical analysis of the management of the hotel establishment is carried out, presenting practical suggestions, as well as a personal assessment of this experience

Impact of Intercity Tolls in Portugal – An Environmental Perspective

Alternative road pricing schemes are promising strategies to alleviate congestion and other environmental problems related to urban and regional road transportation. However, in practice, environmental issues are not often taken into account, especially at regional level. In 2010, due to the financial crisis in Portugal, several tolls were introduced in some motorways that were previously financed by the government. One of these cases was the A29 motorway, which connects the cities of Aveiro and Oporto. After the introduction of tolls about 50% of the Average Daily Traffic shifted to alternative routes or modes. This paper discusses the impact that tolls had on route choice, and evaluates the consequences in terms of emissions and energy use on the road network after tolls were implemented. Experimental tests were conducted during off-peak and peak periods before and after toll implementation. Vehicle dynamics were measured using a high-sensitivity GPS data logger. Using more than 10 000 km and 174 hours of data, a micro-scale methodology based on the Vehicle Specific Power (VSP) concept was used to extract second-by-second emissions in four alternative routes. The changes in traffic distribution caused by the introduction of tolls did not cause a significant impact in terms of emissions factors on the alternative routes. However, the findings indicate that the diversion of traffic from A29 to local roads implies an increase in CO2 emissions and a reduction in local pollutants emissions such as CO and NOx

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Contexto histórico del marketing político en Brasil: de las manifestaciones de 2013 a la campaña presidencial de 2022

O aumento de pessoas conectadas à internet e redes sociais provocou significativas mudanças nas práticas de marketing político das campanhas eleitorais no Brasil e do mundo. Este artigo se estrutura a partir de um contexto histórico da evolução do marketing no Brasil. Temos dois objetivos específicos: (i) apresentar de forma sucinta o contexto histórico e político do marketing no Brasil a partir das manifestações de 2013 e (ii) compreender o panorama das eleições presidenciais de 2022. O arcabouço teórico que sustenta este trabalho são os estudos sobre marketing político de Albuquerque (1998) & Gomes, Fernandes, Carvalho (2020), Braga (2010), Elis (2020), Reis & Silva (2009). A metodologia utilizada é a empírica, com base bibliográfica (Gil, 2003), e o método é o hipotético-dedutivo. Os resultados alcançados confirmam que os candidatos à presidência no Brasil utilizam das redes sociais como forma de compartilhar os valores defendidos por eles em suas campanhas políticas, esperando influenciar na decisão de voto de seus eleitores e explicitando a importância do marketing digital nas campanhas políticas.The increase in people connected to the Internet and social networks has caused significant changes in the political marketing practices of election campaigns in Brazil and the world. This article is structured from a historical context of the evolution of marketing in Brazil. We have two specific objectives:(i) briefly presentthe historical and political context of marketing in Brazil from the 2013 manifestations and (ii) understand the panorama of the 2022 presidential elections. The theoretical framework that sustains this work are the studies on political marketing Albuquerque (1998) & Gomes, Fernandes, Braga (2010), Carvalho (2020), Elis (2020), Reis&Silva (2009). The methodology used is empirical, based on bibliographic (Gil, 2003), and the method is the hypothetical-deductive. The results achieved confirm that presidential candidates in Brazil use social networks as a way to share their values in their political campaigns, hoping to influence their voters’ voting decision and explaining the importance of digital marketing in political campaigns.El aumento de las personas conectadas a Internet y las redes sociales ha causado cambios significativos en las prácticas de marketing político de las campañas electorales en Brasil y el mundo. Este artículo está estructurado a partir de un contexto histórico de evolución del marketing en Brasil. Tenemos dos objetivos específicos: (i) presentar brevemente el contexto histórico y político del marketing en Brasil a partir de las manifestaciones de 2013 y (ii) comprender el panorama de las elecciones presidenciales de 2022. El marco teórico que respalda este trabajo son los estudios sobre marketing político de Albuquerque (1998) y Gomes, Fernandes, Carvalho (2020), Braga (2010), Elis (2020), Reis y Silva (2009). La metodología utilizada es la empírica, con la base bibliográfica (GIL, 2003), y el método es el deductivo hipotético. Los resultados logrados confirman que los candidatos presidenciales en Brasil usan las redes sociales como una forma de compartir sus valores en sus campañas políticas, con la esperanza de influir en la decisión de votación de sus votantes y explicar la importancia del marketing digital en campañas políticas

Unraveling the genetic background of individuals with a clinical familial hypercholesterolemia phenotype

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common genetic disorder of lipid metabolism caused by pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes. Variants in FH-phenocopy genes (LDLRAP1, APOE, LIPA, ABCG5, and ABCG8), polygenic hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] can also mimic a clinical FH phenotype. We aim to present a new diagnostic tool to unravel the genetic background of clinical FH phenotype. Biochemical and genetic study was performed in 1,005 individuals with clinical diagnosis of FH, referred to the Portuguese FH Study. A next-generation sequencing panel, covering eight genes and eight SNPs to determine LDL-C polygenic risk score and LPA genetic score, was validated, and used in this study. FH was genetically confirmed in 417 index cases: 408 heterozygotes and 9 homozygotes. Cascade screening increased the identification to 1,000 FH individuals, including 11 homozygotes. FH-negative individuals (phenotype positive and genotype negative) have Lp(a) >50 mg/dl (30%), high polygenic risk score (16%), other monogenic lipid metabolism disorders (1%), and heterozygous pathogenic variants in FH-phenocopy genes (2%). Heterozygous variants of uncertain significance were identified in primary genes (12%) and phenocopy genes (7%). Overall, 42% of our cohort was genetically confirmed with FH. In the remaining individuals, other causes for high LDL-C were identified in 68%. Hyper-Lp(a) or polygenic hypercholesterolemia may be the cause of the clinical FH phenotype in almost half of FH-negative individuals. A small part has pathogenic variants in ABCG5/ABCG8 in heterozygosity that can cause hypercholesterolemia and should be further investigated. This extended next-generation sequencing panel identifies individuals with FH and FH-phenocopies, allowing to personalize each person’s treatment according to the affected pathway

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Paediatric COVID-19 mortality: a database analysis of the impact of health resource disparity

Background The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric populations varied between high-income countries (HICs) versus low-income to middle-income countries (LMICs). We sought to investigate differences in paediatric clinical outcomes and identify factors contributing to disparity between countries.Methods The International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections Consortium (ISARIC) COVID-19 database was queried to include children under 19 years of age admitted to hospital from January 2020 to April 2021 with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Univariate and multivariable analysis of contributing factors for mortality were assessed by country group (HICs vs LMICs) as defined by the World Bank criteria.Results A total of 12 860 children (3819 from 21 HICs and 9041 from 15 LMICs) participated in this study. Of these, 8961 were laboratory-confirmed and 3899 suspected COVID-19 cases. About 52% of LMICs children were black, and more than 40% were infants and adolescent. Overall in-hospital mortality rate (95% CI) was 3.3% [=(3.0% to 3.6%), higher in LMICs than HICs (4.0% (3.6% to 4.4%) and 1.7% (1.3% to 2.1%), respectively). There were significant differences between country income groups in intervention profile, with higher use of antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, prone positioning, high flow nasal cannula, non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation in HICs. Out of the 439 mechanically ventilated children, mortality occurred in 106 (24.1%) subjects, which was higher in LMICs than HICs (89 (43.6%) vs 17 (7.2%) respectively). Pre-existing infectious comorbidities (tuberculosis and HIV) and some complications (bacterial pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and myocarditis) were significantly higher in LMICs compared with HICs. On multivariable analysis, LMIC as country income group was associated with increased risk of mortality (adjusted HR 4.73 (3.16 to 7.10)).Conclusion Mortality and morbidities were higher in LMICs than HICs, and it may be attributable to differences in patient demographics, complications and access to supportive and treatment modalities

Respiratory support in patients with severe COVID-19 in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection (ISARIC) COVID-19 study: a prospective, multinational, observational study

Background: Up to 30% of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 require advanced respiratory support, including high-flow nasal cannulas (HFNC), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors for failing non-invasive respiratory support in patients treated with severe COVID-19 during the first two years of the pandemic in high-income countries (HICs) and low middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: This is a multinational, multicentre, prospective cohort study embedded in the ISARIC-WHO COVID-19 Clinical Characterisation Protocol. Patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who required hospital admission were recruited prospectively. Patients treated with HFNC, NIV, or IMV within the first 24 h of hospital admission were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, random forest, and logistic regression analyses were used to describe clinical characteristics and compare clinical outcomes among patients treated with the different types of advanced respiratory support. Results: A total of 66,565 patients were included in this study. Overall, 82.6% of patients were treated in HIC, and 40.6% were admitted to the hospital during the first pandemic wave. During the first 24 h after hospital admission, patients in HICs were more frequently treated with HFNC (48.0%), followed by NIV (38.6%) and IMV (13.4%). In contrast, patients admitted in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) were less frequently treated with HFNC (16.1%) and the majority received IMV (59.1%). The failure rate of non-invasive respiratory support (i.e. HFNC or NIV) was 15.5%, of which 71.2% were from HIC and 28.8% from LMIC. The variables most strongly associated with non-invasive ventilation failure, defined as progression to IMV, were high leukocyte counts at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 5.86 [4.83-7.10]), treatment in an LMIC (OR [95%CI]; 2.04 [1.97-2.11]), and tachypnoea at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 1.16 [1.14-1.18]). Patients who failed HFNC/NIV had a higher 28-day fatality ratio (OR [95%CI]; 1.27 [1.25-1.30]). Conclusions: In the present international cohort, the most frequently used advanced respiratory support was the HFNC. However, IMV was used more often in LMIC. Higher leucocyte count, tachypnoea, and treatment in LMIC were risk factors for HFNC/NIV failure. HFNC/NIV failure was related to worse clinical outcomes, such as 28-day mortality. Trial registration This is a prospective observational study; therefore, no health care interventions were applied to participants, and trial registration is not applicable

Respiratory support in patients with severe COVID-19 in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection (ISARIC) COVID-19 study: a prospective, multinational, observational study

Background: Up to 30% of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 require advanced respiratory support, including high-flow nasal cannulas (HFNC), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors for failing non-invasive respiratory support in patients treated with severe COVID-19 during the first two years of the pandemic in high-income countries (HICs) and low middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: This is a multinational, multicentre, prospective cohort study embedded in the ISARIC-WHO COVID-19 Clinical Characterisation Protocol. Patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who required hospital admission were recruited prospectively. Patients treated with HFNC, NIV, or IMV within the first 24 h of hospital admission were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, random forest, and logistic regression analyses were used to describe clinical characteristics and compare clinical outcomes among patients treated with the different types of advanced respiratory support. Results: A total of 66,565 patients were included in this study. Overall, 82.6% of patients were treated in HIC, and 40.6% were admitted to the hospital during the first pandemic wave. During the first 24 h after hospital admission, patients in HICs were more frequently treated with HFNC (48.0%), followed by NIV (38.6%) and IMV (13.4%). In contrast, patients admitted in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) were less frequently treated with HFNC (16.1%) and the majority received IMV (59.1%). The failure rate of non-invasive respiratory support (i.e. HFNC or NIV) was 15.5%, of which 71.2% were from HIC and 28.8% from LMIC. The variables most strongly associated with non-invasive ventilation failure, defined as progression to IMV, were high leukocyte counts at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 5.86 [4.83–7.10]), treatment in an LMIC (OR [95%CI]; 2.04 [1.97–2.11]), and tachypnoea at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 1.16 [1.14–1.18]). Patients who failed HFNC/NIV had a higher 28-day fatality ratio (OR [95%CI]; 1.27 [1.25–1.30]). Conclusions: In the present international cohort, the most frequently used advanced respiratory support was the HFNC. However, IMV was used more often in LMIC. Higher leucocyte count, tachypnoea, and treatment in LMIC were risk factors for HFNC/NIV failure. HFNC/NIV failure was related to worse clinical outcomes, such as 28-day mortality. Trial registration This is a prospective observational study; therefore, no health care interventions were applied to participants, and trial registration is not applicable