The perception of mayors of the Douro Demarcated Region about tourism development

Abstract

This research aims to understand how local authorities consider tourism a sustainable development vector and identify critical areas of improvement. This work addresses the perception of the mayors of municipal chambers in the Demarcated Douro Region (DDR; Portugal) regarding issues related to the region's tourist sector, precisely challenges and opportunities associated with promoting sustainable development in regional tourism. The surveys were conducted with mayors throughout the DDR, employing a structured questionnaire to collect data on their perspectives. The analysis revealed that mayors consider tourism, especially wine tourism, gastronomy, and promoting natural and cultural heritage, significant drivers for the region's development. However, challenges such as poor accessibility, lack of private investment, and demographic issues have also been identified. The study highlights a strong disposition among municipalities to cooperate in the seasonality approach of tourism and promote the DDR as a comprehensive and diverse tourist destination. The findings emphasise the need for improvements in transport infrastructure, innovation support, entrepreneurship, and the importance of cultural and sporting events for the attraction of tourists throughout the year. This paper provides valuable information on the perspectives of local DDRs on tourism by offering planning guidance and promoting more sustainable and inclusive tourist practices.