Competitive destination analysis in Southern European countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the competitiveness of the European Union Member States of Southern Europe (France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain) as tourist destinations for European Union Member States of Central and Northern Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden and the UK). Design/methodology/approach – Application of the market share analysis tool, initially developed by Faulkner, using secondary data from Eurostat – statistical office of the European communities. Findings – The results obtained show that France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain present distinct levels of competitiveness for the various generating countries, with changes having occurred in the period between 1999 and 2007. Originality/value – The paper offers refreshment of Faulkner's tool and an insight into tourist flows in Europe as a tool for tourism and hospitality managers

The concept of life cycle: an application to the tourist product

The concept of life cycle is widely discussed, both in the marketing and the strategic management fields. Nevertheless, operational problems make this concept difficult to put into practice. This article clarifies the life cycle concept and its effective use, especially as it applies to the tourist product. First, the object, the tourist product, is defined, then the life cycle concept is presented and developed by explaining its different stages and their respective strategic implications. Finally, following this conceptual framework, a case study of the Algarve (a province of Portugal) is presented to illustrate the proposed methods for identifying each life cycle stage.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Determinação dos Segmentos de Mercado Prioritários: Uma Metodologia para Destinos Turísticos

JEL: M31; M39; M10Tendo como ponto de partida a pergunta de pesquisa “como identificar segmentos de mercado prioritários?”, o estudo desenvolve um modelo para apoio à tomada de decisão na escolha dos segmentos de mercado prioritários. O modelo proposto assenta nos pilares desempenho, competitividade e atractividade. O estudo de aplicação desta nova metodologia de segmentação é efectuado aos fluxos turísticos entre os Estados Membros da UE15, enquanto destinos e segmentos de mercado, no período de 1996 a 2001, recorrendo a dados do Eurostat. Para além da validação das hipóteses de investigação associadas ao modelo, os resultados obtidos permitem: a aferição do desempenho dos destinos e dos segmentos de mercado a partir da proxy índice de dormidas per capita; o agrupamento dos segmentos de mercado a partir da atractividade; o agrupamento dos destinos a partir da competitividade; a caracterização dos segmentos de mercado e dos destinos; e a classificação dos segmentos de mercado. Para além de estabelecer um conjunto de etapas conducentes à classificação dos segmentos de mercado para um conjunto de concorrentes, a formalização do modelo é suficientemente genérica para que possa ser aplicado a outros contextos, apresentando um carácter dinâmico e objectivo. Entre 1996 e 2001, a evolução do desempenho dos destinos é explicada pelo grau de dependência, no início do período, face ao grupo de segmentos de mercado com uma tendência decrescente no índice de dormidas per capita e pelo crescimento das dormidas no grupo de segmentos de mercado com um índice de dormidas per capita superior à média da UE15.This study, which arises from the research question “how can priority market segments be identified?”, aims to develop a model to support decision-making in the choice of priority market segments. The proposed model is based on the factors of performance, competitiveness and attractiveness. This new methodology of segmentation is applied to the tourist flows between the 15 member states of the EU from 1996 to 2001. The countries are treated as both destinations and market segments. The source of the data used is Eurostat. Besides the validation of the research hypotheses associated with the model, the results obtained also permit: the measuring of the performance of the destinations and the market segments by means of the proxy index of overnight stays per capita; the grouping of the market segments according to attractiveness; the grouping of the destinations according to competitiveness; the characterisation of the market segments and the destinations; and the classification of the market segments. As well as establishing a series of stages which lead to the classification of the market segments for a set of competitors, the formalisation of the model is generic enough to enable it to be applied in other contexts, as it is both dynamic and objective. Between 1996 and 2001, the evolution of the destinations’ performance is explained by the degree of dependency, at the beginning of the period, as regards the group of generating countries with a decreasing tendency in the overnight stays per capita index and an increase in overnight stays in the group of generating countries with an index of overnight stays per capita above the EU15 average

Avaliação de fluxos turísticos: uma proposta de proxy do desempenho

No âmbito do desenvolvimento de um modelo para avaliação de segmentos de mercado prioritários em turismo, apresenta-se uma proposta de proxy do desempenho, numa escala cujos registos não dependem da magnitude dos objectos. O índice de dormidas per capita, testado no contexto da união europeia, ainda a 15 estados membros, revela as características pretendidas. Para além disso, procede-se à avaliação do crescimento e das posições relativas dos destinos e das origens, ao estudo da evolução da dispersão relativa dos desempenhos, à análise da tendência e à identificação do sentido da convergência dos fluxos turísticos no seio da união europeia.In order to identify the market targets in tourism it is presented a new proxy to assess the tourist flows. The proxy is a component of a model under construction, and uses a scale where the values do not depend on market dimension. The index number of roomnights per capita was tested for eu15 member states and reveals the desired characteristics. In this paper the growth rate and the relative positions of both the destinations and generating countries was assessed, as well as the evolution of the relative performance dispersion, the trend analysis and also the identification of the convergence sign of the touristic flows in the eu15

Doutoramento Honoris Causa: Jafar Jafari

Sessão de outorga do Grau de Doutor Honoris Causa a Jafar Jafari realizada em 16 de novembro de 2022, na Universidade do Algarve. Doctor Honoris Causa title awarded to professor Jafar Jafari by the University of Algarve on November 16th, 2022O Professor Jafar Jafari é uma das mais fascinantes personalidades do nosso tempo no domínio dos Estudos Turísticos e é atualmente o mais respeitado académico a nível mundial, quer pelo mundo universitário, empresarial e por governos, quer por organizações mundiais, como a Organização Mundial do Turismo. Esta rara unanimidade é o resultado das suas excecionais qualidades humanas e profissionais, como professor de mérito, autor de artigos científicos de referência, editor associado a projetos de excelência, brilhante orador, consultor e construtor de redes para o estudo e transferência do conhecimento no Turismo.Professor Jafar Jafari is one of the most fascinating personalities of our time in the field of tourism studies and, currently, is the most respected academic worldwide, whether by universities, businesses, governments, world organizations, such as the World Tourism Organization (WTO). This rare unanimity is the result of his exceptional professional and human qualities, as a professor of merit, author of referenced scientific articles, editor associated with projects of excellence, brilliant lecturer, consultant and facilitator of network building for the study and transfer of knowledge in tourism.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Performance as a classification criterion of tourist origins and destinations

The definition of performance variables, which can be used as indicators of the results obtained/to be obtained, is a fundamental prerequisite in the carrying out of any evaluation process. Portfolio analysis has been used as a tool for the study of market segments, namely of tourist destinations. However, a review of the literature did not identify a single case where the performance variable is adjusted to the nature of the object. In fact, contrary to many other situations, the use of performance variables in absolute terms does not appear to be the most recommendable solution given that the total volume is conditioned by the size of the territory and, above all, by the number of inhabitants. In other words, for a certain level of socio-economic development, larger countries (in terms of size and number of inhabitants) will tend to have higher absolute values. Besides this, the empirical studies reviewed contain little, or no, information about competition, being temporally static. Although in some cases growth rate is used as a variable, thus presupposing the consideration of two magnitudes in two different moments in time, more than one register per object is never considered, meaning that evolutive analyses are not viable. Consequently, a performance proxy was developed which enables a direct comparison between generating countries (origins) and between destinations, regardless of the number of inhabitants. The selection of the performance proxy can depend on the object of study. In any case, it should always permit the evaluation, in general terms, of the results obtained by the destination for the set of origins under analysis and the results generated by the origin for the set of destinations under study. The proposed tool is a component of a model for the identification of priority market segments, and is constituted by a system of orthogonal axes which produces four quadrants that are distinct in terms of intensity (axis OY) and growth (axis OX) of tourist flows. The tool, like the model, can be applied to any type of destination (city, region or country) and to any market segmentation criterion (geographic, demographic, behavioural, psychographic or other). In the study reported here, the instrument is applied to the 15 Member States of the European Union (before its expansion on May 1st 2004), for the period from 1996 to 2001. Eurostat was the sole source of data for the study. The UK and Ireland are the countries classified as ‘Progressing Origins’. With 16.8% of the population, they increased their contribution from 17.7% to 21.9% and are responsible for 38.7% of the growth that occurred between 1996 and 2001. Spain, Greece and Ireland are the countries classified as ‘Progressing Destinations’. With 14.4% of the population, they increased their share of the market from 21.5% to 24.2%, capturing 35.1% of the growth that occurred between 1996 and 2001

Key drivers for the adoption of circular economy practices in the tourist accommodation sector

Purpose – This article assesses the degree of adoption of the circular economy model in the tourist accommodation sector. Additionally, the study aims to understand whether the type of accommodation, size and year of construction or remodelling have an impact on the adoption of circular economy practices. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a survey administered to directors and owners of tourist accommodation facilities in Portugal. The questionnaire was developed based on an extensive literature review of circular economy practices in the accommodation sector. Findings – Accommodation companies currently operate in a linear economy model and are still in the early stages of transitioning to a more circular economic model. Among the most commonly implemented practices are those that represent expenditure savings for accommodation companies. The findings also suggest a growing awareness and commitment to sustainability and circular economy practices in the tourist accommodation sector, particularly in more recently constructed or renovated accommodation. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate the accommodation characteristics that impact the adoption of sustainability and circular economy practices in the tourist accommodation sector. It contributes to the literature by providing primary quantitative data supporting the adoption of such practices. Keywords Sustainability practices, Accommodation sector, Circular economy practices, Pairwise comparisons, Tourist accommodation characteristics Paper type Research paperinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Natural establishment of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. in burnt stands in Portugal

Exotic tree species are increasingly common in many regions of the world and at least some species are becoming naturalized in the regions where they were introduced. Disturbances like fire may be at the origin or accelerate the naturalization of these species. Portugal holds one of the largest areas of exotic Eucalyptus globulus plantations in the world and is one of the countries most affected by forest fires. These two facts have triggered the present research. This study aimed at characterising medium-term natural establishment of E. globulus plants originated from seeds under natural conditions in burnt planted forests (pure E. globulus stands, pure Pinus pinaster stands, and mixed stands of both species), and at analysing factors associated with this establishment. Occurrence, abundance and height of naturally established E. globulus plants were characterized in 284 sites distributed in burnt areas, across Central and Northern Portugal, 5– 7 years after wildfire. Generalized linear models were used to assess the influence of stand type, regional productivity potential, and post-fire management practices on occurrence probability, density, and median height of sampled E. globulus individuals. The influence of these explanatory variables on the structure (in terms of size class distribution) of naturally established E. globulus cohort was examined using analysis of similarity and non-metric multidimensional scaling. Naturally established E. globulus plants were present in 93.1%, 19.0% and 98.6% of samples in pure E. globulus, pure P. pinaster and mixed stands, respectively. Cohort median density was 0.20 plants m 2 and maximum density was 4.55 plants m 2. Median height of plantswas 2.0 mand 95.3% of them had h >1.30 mand DBH 65 cm. Establishment probability, density and median height were highest in the most productive regions. Three post-fire management operations had a significant influence on the response variables: (i) salvage logging was associated with a higher density; (ii) tillage was associated with a lower density and a smaller median height; (iii) understorey removal was associated with a lower occurrence probability. Tillage was the only studied factor influencing the size structure of spontaneously established cohort, eliminating larger plants. This study showed that stand type, productivity region and post-fire management operations might have significantly influenced the natural establishment of E. globulus in burnt areas, and consequently the species naturalization process in Portugal. The implications of these findings for management are discussedinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Percolation across households in mechanistic models of non-pharmaceutical interventions in SARS-CoV-2 disease dynamics

We thank all members of Observatório COVID-19 BR and the CoMo Consortium for the collaborative work. The authors also thank the research funding agencies: São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) – Brazil (grant number: 2019/26310-2 and 2017/26770-8 to CF, 2018/24037-4 to SP, 2018/23984-0 to VS and contract number: 2016/01343-7 to RAK), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) – Brazil (Finance Code 001 to LSF) and the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) (grant number: 315854/2020-0 to MEB, 313055/2020-3 to PIP and 311832/2017-2 to RAK). RA is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1193472). LW is funded by the Li Ka Shing Foundation, Hong Kong. The CoMo Consortium has support from the Oxford University COVID-19 Research Response Fund (ref: 0009280).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019: histórico, métodos e perspectivas

This article presents the history and construction of the National Health Survey (PNS) 2019, a household survey conducted in partnership with the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The objective was to provide the country with information on the determinants, conditions and health needs of the Brazilian population. The expected sample was 108,525 households, considering a non-response rate of 20%. The questionnaire had three parts: (i) regarding the household; (ii) to all residents of the household, focusing on the collection of socioeconomic and health information; and (iii) aimed at the selected resident (15 years or more) for whom lifestyles, chronic diseases, violence, among other topics were investigated, and anthropometric measures (sub-sample) were measured. The PNS information will serve as a basis for the (re)formulation of health policies, as well as support for existing actions and programs of the Unified Health System.Este artigo apresenta o histórico e a construção da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) 2019, inquérito de base domiciliar realizado em parceria com a fundação Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. O objetivo da PNS 2019 foi dotar o país de informações sobre os determinantes, condicionantes e necessidades de saúde da população brasileira. A amostra prevista foi de 108.525 domicílios particulares, considerando-se uma taxa de não resposta de 20%. Seu questionário continha três partes, orientadas para (i) o domicílio, (ii) todos os moradores do domicílio, com enfoque na coleta de informações socioeconômicas e de saúde, e (iii) o morador selecionado (idade ≥15 anos), sobre o qual investigou-se estilos de vida, doenças crônicas, violências, entre outros temas, e aferiu-se medidas antropométricas (subamostra). As informações da PNS 2019 servirão de base para a (re)formulação de políticas de saúde e subsídio a ações e programas existentes do Sistema Único de Saúde