Eurocity Chaves-Verín, Cross-border Tourism Experience in the Iberian Peninsula

Liberato, Dália; Alén, Elisa; Búa, Pablo Rivera; Liberato, Pedro

doi:10.1007/978-981-15-2024-2_56

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Spain has been developing its thermalism. For Liberato et al (2020), cooperation strategies are essential to develop a consolidated destination, with fewer resources and costs.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If on the one hand, it is necessary to understand the territorial development to identify the endogenous attributes and resources of a thermal destination, on the other hand, through relationship management, central and local government as well as local private investors need to co-operate and gather synergies through organisational communication (Duman and Kozak, 2010; Heung and Kucukusta, 2013; Huijbens, 2011; Lee et al , 2009; Liberato et al , 2020; Lindner et al , 2021; Noviello and Smętkiewicz, 2019; Pillmayer et al , 2020; Ponte et al , 2020; Smith, 2015).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Territorial Development – Noviello and Smętkiewicz (2019) share the opinion and reinforce the high social awareness regarding exploitation of the geothermal potential, a vision based on the implementation of sustainable development. Local principles and policies, innovations, actions with local and regional communities, improving entrepreneurship, attracting investors, exploiting destination attributes and external resources are key initiatives for thermal destinations (Duman and Kozak, 2010; Heung and Kucukusta, 2013; Huijbens, 2011; Lee et al , 2009; Liberato et al , 2020; Pillmayer et al , 2020; Ponte et al , 2020; Smith, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A theoretical reflection on thermalism and communication: future perspectives in times of crisis

Antunes

Gonçalves

Estevão

2022

JHTI

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PurposeThe purpose of this article is through a systematic literature review (SLR) to present a conceptual approach to the importance of communication for thermalism. An in-depth analysis of scientific publications provides a conceptual understanding about the definition of thermalism and the importance of communication in the thermal sector. The intention is also to identify the major challenges for communication in thermalism in times of crisis. The literature on conceptual approaches in the field of thermalism is almost non-existent, and this is an important contribution of the research presented.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the objectives, an SLR was carried out, through the Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Statement method, using the Web of Science and Scopus databases. A total of 139 articles were found, of which only 26 were used for the qualitative analysis. EndNote 20 and Nvivo software were used to identify the articles for the study, their analysis and systematization of the collected information.FindingsThe results, among others, through an in-depth analysis of scientific publications, clarified the definition of thermalism and provided relevant results for better understanding of the importance of the dimensions of communication for thermalism.Research limitations/implicationsThe research addresses the current scarcity of academic work on the importance of communication applied to a thermal destination and the lack of relevant strategic models for the diffusion/promotion of a destination. Finally, a limitation was the fact that only 2 databases were considered and only journal articles were included. As a future line of research the authors propose extending the theme to thermal tourism experiences. In addition, scientific studies focusing on water-based experiences connected with thermalism are almost non-existent and very relevant for the future of the sector, as well as studies in the area of communication with the following research questions: where do tourists consult information when choosing a travel destination? and what are the appropriate communication channels to reach the thermal market?; We close this reflection by concluding that the thermal tradition, through the know-how of the medical class, the properties of thermal waters and the cultural history associated with its early days, stimulated more recently by implementing innovations, will regain its role in preserving health and well-being through thermal water and the exploitation of territories' endogenous resources. These factors are the basis through which communication sciences can create strategies adapted to each country to promote a thermal destination brand.Practical implicationsResearch in tourism destination management has provided solutions, through communication, to problems that are faced daily by countries, and the authors hope this research also contributes to the recovery of thermal tourism destinations in times of crisis. It is also from this perspective that based on the main themes and dimensions of communication identified in the SLR that the authors propose the Corporate, Organisational, Skills, Management and Online (COSMO) model to help promote resilient thermal destinations prepared for future crises. The diversity and originality of this research model will be useful for destination promoters, spa managers and communication professionals.Social implicationsThis study contributes to the literature by providing a theoretical framework of excellence in thermalism. One possible way to solve the ambiguity of terms related to thermalism is to consider another more comprehensive term as a combination of different approaches. The aim is not to create an academic division, but rather to contribute to better conceptual understanding, from a theoretical and paradigmatic perspective, of what thermalism is. Here, a new targeted and more comprehensive concept emerges, which from the academic perspective of communication sciences will lead to prevention for a new way of feeling good with life, contributing to promoting thermal destinations in the world with a greater understanding.Originality/valueFor better understanding of the concepts, this study proposes a new definition of thermalism. As research related to thermal destinations, through communication management contributes to attract tourists, promote experiences, provide the human capital of the sector with skills and create authentic and resilient place brands. It is from this perspective that the model was proposed, based on the dimensions of communication related to the main themes obtained through the SLR. This model supports a plurality of communication strategies, with different characteristics and objectives but which meet a collective purpose: to disseminate information about thermalism, in order to build collective knowledge to promote thermal destinations. The analysis highlights the need for further research into thermalism, with special focus on communication.

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“…Spain has been developing its thermalism. For Liberato et al (2020), cooperation strategies are essential to develop a consolidated destination, with fewer resources and costs.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A theoretical reflection on thermalism and communication: future perspectives in times of crisis

Antunes

Gonçalves

Estevão

2022

JHTI

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“…From a management perspective, the results obtained deliver a set of implications that can be useful for thermal destinations, realizing that the sociodemographic profile influences not only the motivations of thermal tourists, but also the choice of services made available, determines the operations, the creation of new thermal services, and the marketing and its strategy. Adapted to target audiences with diverse interests and motivations, this aspect must be considered as a starting point to know the customer and promote an adaptation, improving the offer based on new products or services, such as associated diet plans, a proposed strategy in the northern region of Eurocity Chaves-Verín [51] between Portugal and Spain; establishing in a holistic perspective for thermal destinations, a connection between Entrepreneurial Marketing and thermalism in the near future; applying for a change in the thermal establishment's management; and attempting to improve the health and well-being tourism sector management and planning [52], also based on studies from diverse, but related areas of knowledge [53].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motives for Thermal Tourism: An Application to North and Central Portugal

et al. 2021

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Health and wellness tourism should be particularly valued in the post-pandemic phase. It has the potential to be a strategic product that enhances the population’s well-being and quality of life, on social, physical, and environmental levels. Different proposals for specialized experiences that complement what the destination offers allow to position regions as health and wellness destinations. Thermal tourism should thus be encouraged as a specific product designed on the innovation and diversification observed in the related services and the benefits recognized for all ages. Considering the relevance of thermal springs and thermal tourists for the image, positioning, and development of touristic destinations, this research aims to identify the specific motivations of tourists that attract them to the practice of thermal tourism, to understand how the benefits for which thermal tourists search and their sociodemographic profile influence the motivations of tourists, and how those motivations determine the characteristics of travel. This research was developed on the North and Centre of Portugal for their relevance in the context of thermal springs and related touristic activities. To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire survey was conducted among thermal tourists, through a non-probability by convenience sampling, using bivariate tests, such as Pearson’s chi-squared test, one-way ANOVA, and t-Student test. The results highlight that most respondents practiced thermal tourism due to leisure and relaxation benefits, such as the escape from daily stress, spend time with family, and being “pampered”; relaxation is the most valued motivation, followed by the search for psychological and physical well-being. The research found relations between the benefits expected by thermal tourists and their travel characteristics, such as the composition of the group, the general travel motivation, the chosen thermal destination, and the number of nights spent at the location. In thermal tourism, new challenges emerge, demanding the development of strategies, products, and services that respond to the needs of specific market sections.

show abstract

“…From a management perspective, the results obtained deliver a set of implications that can be useful for thermal destinations, realizing that the sociodemographic profile influences not only the motivations of thermal tourists, but also the choice of services made available, determines the operations, the creation of new thermal services, the marketing and its strategy. Adapted to target audiences with diverse interests and motivations, this aspect must be considered as a starting point to know the customer and promote an adaptation, improving the offer, based on new products or services, such as associated diet plans, proposed strategy in the northern region of Eurocity Chaves-Verín [48], between Portugal and Spain, and establishing in a holistic perspective for thermal destinations, a connection between Entrepreneurial Marketing and thermalism in the near future, applying for a change in the thermal establishment's management, attempting to improve the health and well-being tourism sector management and planning [49], also based on studies from diverse but related areas of knowledge [50].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motivations to the Practice of Thermal Tourism: The Case of North and Centre of Portugal

Brandão¹,

Liberato²,

As³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Health and wellness tourism should be particularly valued in the post-pandemic phase, as a stra-tegic product to enhance the population's well-being and quality of life indicators, at social, phys-ical, and environmental dimensions, with different proposals for specialized experiences that complement the destination's offer, positioning regions as health and wellness destinations. Thermal tourism should be encouraged, as a specific product, due to the innovation and diversi-fication observed in the services made available and the benefits recognized at different age levels of tourists and destinations communities. Considering the relevance of thermal springs and thermal tourists for tourism destinations image, positioning, and development, this research aims to identify the specific motivations of tourists to the practice of thermal tourism, to understand how the benefits that thermal tourists search for, and their sociodemographic profile influence the motivations, and how the motivations determine the travel characteristics. This research was de-veloped on the North and Centre of Portugal, for their relevance in the context of thermal springs and related tourism activities. To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire survey was ap-plied to thermal tourists, through a non-probability by convenience sampling, using bivariate tests, such as Pearson’s chi-squared test, one-way ANOVA, and t-student. The results highlight that most respondents practiced thermal tourism due to leisure and relaxation benefits, such as the escape from daily stress, spend time with family, and being "pampered"; relaxation is the most valued motivation, followed by the search for psychological and physical wellbeing. The research found relations between the benefits expected by thermal tourists, and their travel characteristics such as the composition of the group, the general travel motivation, the thermal destination cho-sen, and the number of nights spent. In thermal tourism, new challenges emerge, demanding the development of strategies, products, and services responding to the needs of specific market segments.

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Eurocity Chaves-Verín, Cross-border Tourism Experience in the Iberian Peninsula

Cited by 8 publications

References 16 publications

A theoretical reflection on thermalism and communication: future perspectives in times of crisis

A theoretical reflection on thermalism and communication: future perspectives in times of crisis

Motives for Thermal Tourism: An Application to North and Central Portugal

Motivations to the Practice of Thermal Tourism: The Case of North and Centre of Portugal

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