Daniela Craveiro, Idalina Dias-Sardinha, Sérgio Milheiras * * SOCIUS/ ISEG, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal

Transcription

1 24th ESRS Congress, August 2011, Chania, Greece Tourism as the trigger for local development of a post-mining area in the southeast of Portugal: perceptions of the visited and the visitors Daniela Craveiro, Idalina Dias-Sardinha, Sérgio Milheiras * * SOCIUS/ ISEG, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal REHMINE Project [FCT project: PTDC/AAC-AMB/103907/2008] rehmine@socius.iseg.utl.pt

2 1. Introduction 2 Case study: São Domingos Mine (SDM) Located in southeast Portugal Post-mining rural area abandoned for decades (since the late 1960s) Big unsolved environmental problem (450ha) Aged, deprived and unqualified population Cultural tourism is seen as the trigger for local development by stakeholders [Part of a wider project (REHMINE) that focuses on the values potentially generated by the redevelopment of a post-mining area, according to sustainable development principles] 24th ESRS, Greece, WG21 - Craveiro, Dias-Sardinha & Milheiras

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8 1. Introduction 8 Theoretical context A. Challenging situations and limited results of rural/heritage tourism Tourism based on cultural assets (such as rural capital or industrial heritage) has been considered a positive factor of social and economic development in rural areas. However, empirical evidences have shown limited results on previous experiences and several challenges to overcome. Some challenges: Small-scale businesses and low level of skills Few collaborations between private and public entities Aging population and low qualifications High level of environmental degradation/high cost of remediation Locations are traditionally far from tourist circuits A minority of tourists are truly interested in that attraction (Conesa et al., 2008; Edwards & Llurdés I Coit, 1996; Fleischer & Felsenstein, 2000; Fonseca & Ramos, 2007; Frochot, 2005; Sharpley & Roberts, 2004) 24th ESRS, Greece, WG21 - Craveiro, Dias-Sardinha & Milheiras Rural tourism Heritage tourism

9 1. Introduction 9 Theoretical context B. Main lessons highlighted in the literature review i) The need to integrate the cultural offer in a wider range of local attractions (Ballesteros & Ramírez, 2007; Canalejo, 2010; Edwards & Llurdés I Coit, 1996; Hospers, 2002; Sharpley, 2002). ii) Articulate with different entities, entrepreneurs or stakeholders (Ballesteros & Ramírez, 2007; Fonseca & Ramos, 2007; Macdonald & Jolliffe, 2003; Koutsouris, 2009; Sharpley & Roberts, 2004; Xie, 2006). Several studies were developed in order to explore attitudes and perceptions of individual stakeholder groups. However, there is not enough empirical research concerning the confrontation of various stakeholder groups (Byrd, Bosley, Bronberger, 2009), neither the visitors perspective on rural tourism (Frochot, 2005). The paper addresses these gaps by integrating the perspectives of different stakeholders groups crossing the prospects of visited and visitors. 24th ESRS, Greece, WG21 - Craveiro, Dias-Sardinha & Milheiras

10 1. Introduction 10 We aim to: - Cross the prospects of locals and visitors about tourism in SDM; - Contribute to enhance the value of the integration of different stakeholders perspectives; - Understand the potential success factors for SDM future development; and - Contribute for the reflection on post-mining sites redevelopment in rural areas. 24th ESRS, Greece, WG21 - Craveiro, Dias-Sardinha & Milheiras

11 2. Methodology 11 Three inquiry methods: A. Social actors interviews [May 2010 Jun 2011] - Interviews semi-structured by a SWOT model analysis about SDM. - Snowball sampling: 21 relevant local social actors. - Thematic content analysis assisted by MaxQDA. B. Local entrepreneurs questionnaire [November 20, 2010] - Questionnaire present SDM situation, importance of an intervention and their availability to participate in SDM (re)development planning. - Application at a municipal meeting about local entrepreneurship. C. Visitors questionnaire [on-going] - Questionnaire about the visit and a description of the visitor; evaluation of SDM s points of interest; valorization of regional and local touristic resources; and the evaluation of SDM as a tourist destination. - Sampling based on diversity criteria (different times and places in order to account the variability amongst visitors). 24th ESRS, Greece, WG21 - Craveiro, Dias-Sardinha & Milheiras

12 3. Results 12 A. Social actors interviews (N = 21) Interview analysis identified concerns on SD dimensions: Environmental, Social, Cultural, Economic, Communitarian and Strategic. Highlights: Economic revitalization - Multifunctional territory (not only tourism but also local production) - Driving economic activity: tourism (creation/improvement of touristic equipment and services, marked trails for visitors, better accessibilities, transport connection with a nearby riverside location - Pomarão, diversify touristic offer, etc.) Strategic reframing - Integrated planning - Territorial competitiveness (taking advantage of geographical frontiers, invest in the valorization of local resources fluvial beaches & industrial heritage) 24th ESRS, Greece, WG21 - Craveiro, Dias-Sardinha & Milheiras

13 3. Results 13 B. Local entrepreneurs questionnaire (N= 22) Highlights: Diagnosis: SDM is considered a touristic attraction (95.5%); has social problems (81.8%); but benefits from the work of the local associations (81.8%). Aims ranking: 1.º historical and touristic promotion; 2.º reducing social problems of the residents; 3.º reduce environmental risk; 4.º reduce community health risk. Intervention measures ranking: 1.º investing in tourism (81%); 2.º attract external funding and improve investment conditions (57.1%, 52.4 %); 3.º Pomarão as a platform for receiving tourists (47.6%). [less rated: conjoint work with community and other partners (42.9%) and the creation of regional networks or partnerships (23.8%)] Entrepreneurs availability: through profit investment (63.2%) and mainly through participation on the planning process (83.3%).

14 3. Results 14 C. Visitors questionnaire (N = 101) (+170) Highlights: Visitors characteristics: visitors tended to return regularly (45%), and stay in a second house (67.9%). Touristic resources valorization: they value in a equally positive way the different touristic resources but the frequency of visits to places of interest highlight the attractiveness of the fluvial beaches (visited by 93.5%) and the mining heritage (83.7%). Touristic services evaluation: the evaluation is positive but structures and information services, safety in the mining area and animation activities are less positive aspects. 24th ESRS, Greece, WG21 - Craveiro, Dias-Sardinha & Milheiras

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16 4. Discussion 16 - Key strengths of SDM found and lines of action: - Both visitors and visited value the fluvial beaches and the industrial heritage as touristic resources. BUT mining heritage seems to be more valued by local social actors than by visitors. Previous researches indicate that only a minority of tourists are particularly interested in the site-specific cultural dimension (Frochot, 2005). Congruence between the perceptions of visitors and visited regarding the need to improve conditions for reception of tourists. 24th ESRS, Greece, WG21 - Craveiro, Dias-Sardinha & Milheiras

17 4. Discussion 17 Algarve and Spain mentioned as strategic touristic geographic frontiers. However, visitors come mostly from Lisbon and Tagus Valley and Algarve. Spanish tourists were not identified in the sample yet. Most visitors sampled have a second house in the village, regularly visit the place and seem to maintain family and affective ties with SDM. One can assume that the SDM is not sufficiently promoted as a touristic destination to attract a higher proportion of tourists. 24th ESRS, Greece, WG21 - Craveiro, Dias-Sardinha & Milheiras

18 5. Main conclusions 18 SDM as a touristic destination: Strengths and weaknesses where identified. Consider limitations of the integration of data from the three inquiry methods used, and the representativeness of the samples. Both differences and congruencies of visited and visitors perspectives confirm the importance of an integrated redevelopment approach for SDM. 24th ESRS, Greece, WG21 - Craveiro, Dias-Sardinha & Milheiras

19 REHMINE PROJECT 19 Financed by the Portuguese public institution Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Contribution of Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Development - ( ) Ref. PTDC/AAC-AMB/103907/2008 Site: rehmine@socius.iseg.utl.pt

20 6. References 20 Ballestros, E. & Ramírez, H. (2007). Identity and community - reflections on the development of mining heritage tourism in Southern Spain. Tourism Management, 28 (3): Canalejo, A., Guzmán, T. & Torre, G. (2010). El turismo industrial minero como motor de desarrollo en áreas geográficas en declive un estudio de caso. Estudios y Perspectivas en Turismo, 19: Conesa, H.M., Schulin, R. & Nowack, B. (2008). Mining landscape: a cultural tourist opportunity or an environmental problem? The study of the Cartagena-La Unión District (SE Spain). Ecological Economics, 64 (4): Edwards, J.A. & Llurdés i Coit, J. C. (1996). Mines and quarries: Industrial heritage tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 23 (2): Frochot, I. (2005). A benefit segmentation of tourists in rural areas: a Scottish perspective. Tourism Management, 26 (3): Hall, D. (2004). Rural tourism development in Southeastern Europe: Transition and the search for sustainability. International Journal of Tourism Research, 6 (3): Hospers, G. (2002). Industrial heritage, tourism and regional restructuring in the European Union. European Planning Studies, 10 (3): Sharpley, R. (2002). Rural tourism and the challenge of tourism diversification: the case of Cyprus. Tourism Management, 23 (3):