Did the context of economic crisis affect the image of Portugal as a tourist destination?

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 470-474
Author(s):  
André de Serpa Soares

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to offer a response to the general proposed questions “Did the context of economic crisis affect the image of Portugal as a tourist destination? What were the answers and lessons learned?” from TAP Portugal perspective and what were, for the airline, the answers and lessons learned for the future. Design/methodology/approach – Major economic indicators in Portugal and Europe were compared with TAP numbers and Portuguese Travel and Tourism balance of payments. Findings – The image of Portugal as a tourist destination was not affected. Portugal managed to use the increase in international exposure to publicise itself for the right reasons. The key to future success lies on markets intelligence. Originality/value – This article constitutes an original viewpoint based on TAP market experience and may be useful for tourism and travel industry professionals, students and research community.

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 442-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sérgio Palma Brito

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is address two questions: “Did the context of economic crisis affect the image of Portugal as a tourist destination? And What were the answers and lessons learned?”. Design/methodology/approach – The authors have no information to assess the effect of the crisis on the brand image of Portugal as a tourist destination. The paper limits itself to what is a first step in this assessment and assumes that periods of low demand for destination Portugal are linked in some way to the economic crisis. The paper examines the UK market demand for holiday travel to Portugal from 2009 to 2013 and additionally the revenue contribution from tourism to Portugal’s balance of payments. The data are analyzed in the context of two decisions relating to Portuguese tourism governance: the anti crisis measures of 2009 and the new model for tourism promotion of 2013. Findings – The paper assumes that during the period 2009-2013 the demand for Portuguese tourism was not affected by the crisis and, if any damage has been done to the international brand image of destination Portugal, its consequences are not dramatic. In fact, the demand for destination Portugal in the UK market remained strong and is higher than the market as a whole. The same applies to destination Greece and the decline in demand for destination Turkey seems to be linked to social and political crisis in the country. Given this context, it is interesting to note that revenue from travel and tourism in Portugal achieved a growth rate that had not occurred before in the recent past. Research limitations/implications – The scope for analyzing empirical data is limited to the statistical information for Tourism in Portugal. However, it is possible to identify patterns of demand behavior of demand that help provide clues to the variations in tourism flows. Practical implications – In 2013, the index of overnight stays and income to the Portuguese hospitality industry exceeded that of 2009, but the index of average revenue per overnight stay at current prices was still lower than that of 2009. It would appear that the anti-crisis measures that the government took in 2009 had little or no impact nor do the changes to the tourism promotion Model in 2013 reveal why the Government considered 2013 to be “the best tourist year ever” or in 2014 “an historic year”. Originality/value – The paper provides a bottom-up perspective, based on observation, measurement and analysis.


Author(s):  
Dr Simon Hudson

Most experts would agree that recovery from the COVID-19 crisis will be slow (see Figure 6.2), in large part due to the impact that the crisis has had on the global travel and tourism industry (Romei, 2020). Until there is vaccine, the virus will influence nearly every sector of travel from transportation, destination and resorts, to the accommodations, attractions, events and restaurants. The first section of this chapter looks at the future for these different sectors, a future heavily influenced by technology and a heightened emphasis on health and safety. The second part of the chapter focuses on a theme that has been prevalent in this book – the need for adaptability or ‘COVID-aptability’. Consumer demands and behavior will be permanently altered by the pandemic, and all stakeholders in the travel industry will need to adapt. One part of adaptability is redesigning servicescapes – a necessity for many after the lockdown, and this is the subject of the penultimate section of the chapter. The conclusion looks at lessons learned from this crisis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth E. Richard ◽  
Jeffrey R. Davis ◽  
Jin H. Paik ◽  
Karim R. Lakhani

Purpose This paper presents NASA’s experience using a Center of Excellence (CoE) to scale and sustain an open innovation program as an effective problem-solving tool and includes strategic management recommendations for other organizations based on lessons learned. Design/methodology/approach This paper defines four phases of implementing an open innovation program: Learn, Pilot, Scale and Sustain. It provides guidance on the time required for each phase and recommendations for how to utilize a CoE to succeed. Recommendations are based upon the experience of NASA’s Human Health and Performance Directorate, and experience at the Laboratory for Innovation Science at Harvard running hundreds of challenges with research and development organizations. Findings Lessons learned include the importance of grounding innovation initiatives in the business strategy, assessing the portfolio of work to select problems most amenable to solving via crowdsourcing methodology, framing problems that external parties can solve, thinking strategically about early wins, selecting the right platforms, developing criteria for evaluation, and advancing a culture of innovation. Establishing a CoE provides an effective infrastructure to address both technical and cultural issues. Originality/value The NASA experience spanned more than seven years from initial learnings about open innovation concepts to the successful scaling and sustaining of an open innovation program; this paper provides recommendations on how to decrease this timeline to three years.


Author(s):  
Paul Ballman

Purpose This paper addresses one particular type of cliff edge – “Unknown Knowns” that organizations are often headed for and suggests ways in which it can be avoided. Design/methodology/approach The paper reports lessons learned through the author’s experience and draws on relevant literature. Findings Apparently unforeseen cliffs are actually well known about, deep in the organization, well ahead of time and either nobody is talking or nobody is listening. Practical Implications People need to change their cultures to ensure that the “Cassandras” (people who can be seen as “negative” and problem rather than solution focused) are genuinely listened to. Originality/value New scandals break every month. At the time of writing, the latest is Volkswagen (VW) emissions testing, itself a classic example of an unknown-known cliff.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 452-457
Author(s):  
Adolfo Mesquita Nunes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the governmental perspective on the effects of the economic crisis on Portugal as a touristic destination. Design/methodology/approach – The main political decisions related to tourism were analysed and related to the sector’s present performance. Findings – Portugal’s public and private entities were able to use the crisis as an opportunity to increase the quality and competitiveness of the tourism sector and, as result, grow more than its main competitors. Originality/value – This paper concludes that there are still some challenges that the tourism sector faces, like the decline of the internal market and the level of prices, but overall, the sector has been showing signs of resilience that shall allow it to overcome its main issues.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 392-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Costa ◽  
João Gomes ◽  
Mónica Montenegro

Purpose – This paper aims to introduce the articles in this issue and explain the pertinence of the strategic question. Design/methodology/approach – A brief context for the strategic question is provided, as well as the issue alignment and a content analysis of the articles selected. Findings – A contextualization for the economic crisis affecting Portugal is presented and its impact on the Tourism Industry discussed. The articles range from a series of research studies on Portuguese Tourism, demonstrating its evolution over the past three years (2011-2013), and various viewpoint/position papers reflecting the perspectives of the main stakeholders of this industry and how they analyze the context of crisis that is affecting the country since 2010. Research limitations/implications – The articles selected for this issue contribute to shed light on an important phase of Portugal’s history, allowing for an understanding of the impacts of the financial crisis on domestic tourism and sectors such as restaurants and hotels, as well as the government’s perspective on the evolution of the industry over past three years. The information presented and analysed reveals some interesting lessons, namely, that a financial crisis may not affect directly the growth and development of the tourism industry. Originality/value – The present theme issue analysis the context of financial crisis that Portugal is facing and brings together, for the first time in a single publication, the views of major stakeholders of the Portuguese Tourism Industry.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 397-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónica Montenegro ◽  
Jorge Costa ◽  
Daniela Rodrigues ◽  
João Gomes

Purpose – This article aims to identify the image of Portugal as a tourist destination in international markets and the impacts of the economic crisis on that image. As the basis for the analysis, the results from the past three years of an ongoing research by IPDT – Institute of Tourism on this topic were used. The findings were used to support a discussion on the need for social and political stability and a climate of creativity and innovation in the tourism sector to foster growth and success. Design/methodology/approach – The article is based on official tourism information, research by IPDT on the tourists’ profile in Portugal and an ongoing research on “the image of Portugal as a tourist destination” carried out using as population the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Affiliate Members directory. Findings – The international tourism market recognizes and appreciates the destination – Portugal, recognizing that the present context of crisis does not negatively affect Portugal’s touristic image. The results presented and discussed indicate a preference by respondents for “Wine” as the main touristic product that should be associated to Portugal in its international tourism promotion. This perception is clearly aligned with the prominence that Portuguese wines have been taking internationally and a perspective that indicates alternative products to the traditional “sun and sea” associated with the country’s tourism image. Practical implications – The research results presented and the supporting discussion allow for a better understanding on the present image of Portugal as a tourist destination and the alternative attributes to traditional “sun and sea” that may be used in its international promotion. These results may indicate the need for a repositioning of the destination by the introduction of new elements in the promotional messages. The reflexions presented may be of great use for decision-makers in-charge of international tourism promotion. Originality/value – This article analysis the impact of the economic crisis on the image of Portugal as a tourist destination, based on an international study carried out over a 3-year period. The results alert for possible discrepancies between the destinations positioning and the perceptions and desires of the markets.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 758-775
Author(s):  
Elena Shakina ◽  
Angel Barajas

Purpose This study explores the strategies adopted by companies during the economic crisis of 2008-2009. It investigates whether it is reasonable for companies to intensify their investment in intangibles during recession periods. The purpose of this paper is to find empirical evidence that companies with clear intangible-intensive profiles are likely to outperform those without a clear strategy. Design/methodology/approach This paper explores the intangible-intensive strategies of companies in terms of their dynamics during the pre-crisis, crisis and post-crisis periods. Through dummy regression applied to data from more than 1,600 European companies involved in the empirical analysis, the paper aims to show moderating effects from intangible-intensive strategies on company performance, expressed in terms of economic value added and market value added. Findings The results established in this study shed some light on the global economic crisis in 2008-2009. The findings of this study demonstrate that companies with a conservative profile towards intangibles outperform both those without a defined profile and those with an innovative one. However, an innovative profile enables faster recovery after a crisis. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature on the strategic management of companies, and highlights the particular importance of intangible-intensiveness when markets experience systematic distresses. It is emphasized that lessons learned during the recent global economic crisis must be taken into account in the strategic vision of any company.


Author(s):  
Joanne Pransky

Purpose The following paper is a “Q&A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal as a method to impart the combined technological, business and personal experience of a prominent, robotic industry engineer-turned successful business leader, regarding the commercialization and challenges of bringing technological inventions to market while overseeing a company. This paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The interviewee is Melonee Wise, an entrepreneur and veteran robot designer. In this interview, Wise candidly discusses her career journey, including the successes and lessons learned in the transitioning from an engineer to the CEO of two robotic start-up companies in just six years. Findings Melonee Wise had a love for building mechanical things since childhood. At the age of eight, she built and programmed a plotter out of Legos. Wise received BS degrees in mechanical engineering and physics engineering, and an MS degree in mechanical engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While in school, Wise spent her summers interning at Alcoa, DaimlerChrysler and Honeywell Aerospace. She was able to parlay her passion of building robots when she had the opportunity to work on the DARPA Urban Challenge through her university. From there, Wise joined the start-up Willow Garage as a Senior Engineer in 2007. In 2013, she left her position as Manager of Robot Development at Willow to co-found Unbounded Robotics. When Unbounded unexpectedly shut down 18 months later, Ms Wise gave birth to Fetch Robotics, a manufacturer of autonomous and affordable robots for the warehouse and logistics industries. Originality/value Melonee Wise is an ambitious robot engineer-turned-entrepreneur in pursuit of fast-paced career and personal growth, and taking on unprecedented challenges. After interning at three large US manufacturing companies, Wise decided to pursue her PhD until the right company and opportunity came along. In 2007, she was asked by a Willow Garage co-founder to leave her PhD studies and join them as their second employee. Willow Garage, the creator of Robot Operating System (ROS) open source software and the PR2 hardware platforms, would go on to become one of the most significant robot incubators of the decade. Wise was one of the co-creators of TurtleBot, a consumer robotics product developed in nine months, and she helped with the design of the PR2 and ROS. Additionally, while at Willow Garage, Wise created the Intern Program, increasing the number of interns from one to over 60. Melonee Wise spun-off Unbounded Robotics in 2013 and headed Fetch Robotics in 2014. Wise and Fetch recently raised more than US$20 million in Series A funding. Wise holds the patent for a steering column lock assembly and has been honored with the prestigious awards: MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators under 35; The 2014 Business Insider’s 15 Most Important People Working in Robotics; and Robohub’s 2013 25 Women in Robotics you need to know about.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 458-465
Author(s):  
Vítor Fraga

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how the Azores are overcoming the challenges and less favourable conditions arising from the economic crisis. Design/methodology/approach – The article is based on information drawn from official national and regional sources. Findings – The positive evolution that was taking place in the Azorean tourism was naturally affected by the financial and economic crisis. In recent years, the Archipelago has been enjoying visibility as a tourist destination and is increasingly standing out as a unique destination due to its natural and landscape heritage, capable of captivating the most demanding tourists in terms of environmental quality. Originality/value – This article presents the perspective of the Azorean government and the responses given to the challenges caused by the economic crisis and the strategies outlined for the coming years.


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