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Publication
Contributo do Turismo Equestre para a sustentabilidade da criação de cavalos na região do Alentejo
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.24 MB | Adobe PDF |
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Portugal e a região do Alentejo têm boas condições para o desenvolvimento do turismo
equestre, e o número de promotores que o oferecem tem vindo a aumentar. O turismo
equestre é uma das possibilidades de diversificação da atividade das explorações
agrícolas, podendo contribuir para a sua viabilidade e sustentabilidade. Pretendeu-se
avaliar a sustentabilidade de empreendimentos de turismo equestre, e apreciar de que
forma contribuem para a sustentabilidade da criação de cavalos na região, assim como o
seu enquadramento como modelos de negócio sustentáveis. Recorreu-se à metodologia
de estudo de casos múltiplos. Foram selecionados e contactados 15 empreendimentos,
solicitando o preenchimento de um inquérito on-line e o posterior agendamento de uma
entrevista estruturada. Obtiveram-se 7 respostas, sendo que em apenas 4 casos foi
possível reunir toda a informação necessária à análise. Foi possível evidenciar o
enquadramento estratégico da atividade e a complementaridade do turismo equestre
com outros produtos turísticos da região do Alentejo. Em todos os casos considerouse existirem evidências de desenvolvimento total ou parcial do modelo de negócio
sustentável. Como aspetos menos desenvolvidos surgem a autossuficiência na
alimentação dos animais e o melhoramento das áreas de pastoreio. Em três dos casos,
a preservação do ecossistema (montado ou zona costeira protegida) está associada e
beneficia da atividade. Em três dos casos, o turismo equestre estimula ou viabiliza a
criação de cavalos, e em todos os casos o cavalo Lusitano é utilizado no turismo
equestre, permitindo concluir que a atividade contribui para a sustentabilidade da criação
de cavalos na região, e para a promoção e valorização do cavalo Lusitano. Uma vez
ultrapassada a pandemia de COVID-19, este tipo de oferta turística poderá manifestar
um aumento de procura.
Portugal and the Alentejo region have good conditions for the development of equestrian tourism, and the number of promoters offering it has been increasing. Equestrian tourism is one of the possibilities for diversifying the activity of agricultural holdings, and may contribute to its viability and sustainability. Our goal was to assess the sustainability of equestrian tourism ventures, and to appreciate how they contribute to the sustainability of horse breeding in the region, as well as their compliance with sustainable business models. Multiple case study methodology was used. Fifteen ventures were selected and contacted, requesting the fulfillment of an online survey and the subsequent scheduling of a structured interview. Seven responses were obtained, but the collection of all the necessary information for analysis was possible in only 4 cases. We were able to highlight the strategic framework of the activity and the complementarity of equestrian tourism with other tourism products in the Alentejo region. In all cases, it was considered that there was evidence of total or partial development of sustainable business models. In the assessment of the promoters, the less developed sustainability features were the self-sufficiency in feedstuffs for the animals and the improvement of the grazing areas. In three of the cases, the preservation of the ecosystem (montado or protected coastal zone) is associated and benefits from the activity. In three of the cases, equestrian tourism stimulates or enables the breeding of horses, and in all cases the Lusitano horse is used in equestrian tourism, leading to the conclusion that the activity contributes to the sustainability of horse breeding in the region, and to the promotion and appreciation of the Lusitano horse. Once the COVID19 pandemic is overcome, this type of tourism offer may show an increase in demand.
Portugal and the Alentejo region have good conditions for the development of equestrian tourism, and the number of promoters offering it has been increasing. Equestrian tourism is one of the possibilities for diversifying the activity of agricultural holdings, and may contribute to its viability and sustainability. Our goal was to assess the sustainability of equestrian tourism ventures, and to appreciate how they contribute to the sustainability of horse breeding in the region, as well as their compliance with sustainable business models. Multiple case study methodology was used. Fifteen ventures were selected and contacted, requesting the fulfillment of an online survey and the subsequent scheduling of a structured interview. Seven responses were obtained, but the collection of all the necessary information for analysis was possible in only 4 cases. We were able to highlight the strategic framework of the activity and the complementarity of equestrian tourism with other tourism products in the Alentejo region. In all cases, it was considered that there was evidence of total or partial development of sustainable business models. In the assessment of the promoters, the less developed sustainability features were the self-sufficiency in feedstuffs for the animals and the improvement of the grazing areas. In three of the cases, the preservation of the ecosystem (montado or protected coastal zone) is associated and benefits from the activity. In three of the cases, equestrian tourism stimulates or enables the breeding of horses, and in all cases the Lusitano horse is used in equestrian tourism, leading to the conclusion that the activity contributes to the sustainability of horse breeding in the region, and to the promotion and appreciation of the Lusitano horse. Once the COVID19 pandemic is overcome, this type of tourism offer may show an increase in demand.
Description
Keywords
Turismo equestre Alentejo Sustentabilidade Criação de cavalos Equestrian Tourism Sustainability Horse Breeding