ABSTRACT
As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was felt worldwide, the tourism sector was forced to seek ways of reinventing itself. Two decades prior to this crisis, in varied rural areas and island contexts, small-scale, community-based creative tourism had appeared as a sustainable place-making solution to foster place vitality, competitive distinctiveness, regenerative development and destination resilience. From an island perspective, this article presents the theoretical framework, methodological approaches, and empirical practices of the Creatour Azores project, which was carried out in the North Atlantic archipelago of the Azores from 2019-2022. Given this timeframe, the investigators and pilot projects that implemented this research-practice project were confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic, which accentuated the isolation and remoteness that tend to characterize islandscapes, especially peripheral islands such as the Azores. At the same time, however, this devastating global pandemic, which impacted the tourism sector especially, ended up offering unexpected opportunities along with special challenges, seeming to underscore the relevance of studies focused on the isolation and remoteness that characterize islandscapes. After describing the project methodologies and practices, as well as the adjustments adopted due to the pandemic, this article considers future possibilities for creative tourism on islands, in general, and in the Azores.
ABSTRACT
The current need for territories and societies to grow is based on the Sustainable Development Models as well as the United Nations (UN) Agenda for 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In that case, such new forms of tourism development imply creating and upgrading critical infrastructures, facilities, equipment, or differentiated activities to bring clients who align with the desired Sustainable Development Models and SDGs. In this regard, the thematic literature provides evidence that some tourism typologies (nature-based, rural, culturally-based creative tourism) play a critical role in attaining sustainable regional development. Therefore, this paper aims to unfold what can be learned from the pilot projects implemented in the Azores region aimed toward the so-desired regional sustainability. Contextually, the obtained results ask for the regional leaders to consider encouraging entrepreneurship associated with small and medium-sized firms;fostering the diversity of touristic offerings;designing guidelines that follow sustainable development models and the SDGs;or creating meaningful investments in the conservation and protection of cultural heritage, as well as the Azorean endogenous resources.
ABSTRACT
Tourism shows to be one of the most affected activities by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (responsible for COVID-19) outbreak. This situation is not only because of the cancelled flights but also of the fear of being infected with the virus. In this regard, a study was carried out intending to define and analyse the consequences of SARS-CoV-2 over the tourism intentions of Azores residents in 2020 by studying their perceptions. Throughout the research, it was possible to verify that the Azores Archipelago residents' tourism intentions were considerably modified due to SARS-CoV-2, with approximately 70% of the Azores Region residents saying that they will be spending their 2020 vacations in the region. Moreover, this article also provides insights into the enhancement of tourism safety models in regional tourism activities and consequently, in regional sustainable development and growth.
ABSTRACT
Background: The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, is an nine islands archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, were mental health concerns have long been present. The pandemic of COVID-19, declared in march 2020, has put additional strain health systems. Moreover, there are initial signs that depression and anxiety's prevalence is expected to increase. Monitoring consumption can be an indirect way of assessing medicines' adherence and accessibility. Purpose: To explore how the pandemic of COVID-19 impacted the consumption of anxiolytics, the aim of this study was to assess patterns of Benzodiapezine consumption in the Azorean population, one year before and one year after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: For this ecological study, the Benzodiazepines consumption database was obtained from hMR, a health market research company. This database contains information relative to the total number of all benzodiazepines acquired in the Portuguese market, organized by Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification, and information relative to dosage and package size. The number of total sold packages per drug was obtained for the years 2019 and 2020. Azorean population was obtained from government official data. The defined daily dose (DDD) was obtained from the WHO ATC/DDD index website, and the DDD/1000hab./day was calculated. Only oral dosage forms were analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed to assess yearly, biannual and quarterly drug consumption and uncover seasonal trends. Findings: Total benzodiazepine acquisition pattern in DDD/1000hab/day was not different between 2019 and 2020 (p = 0.987). The most consumed benzodiazepines were alprazolam 69.5 DDD/1000hab/day (± 4.3), followed by diazepam 27.1 (± 1.7) and lorazepam 26.7 (± 1.5).Only clonazepam and potassium clorazepate showed a significant increase from 2019 to 2020 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003). The maximum of total DDD/1000hab/day was registered at the onset of the pandemic (march 2020). For the remaining of 2020, higher standard deviations were observed. Two other peaks are noticed in july 2019 and july 2020, exceptions to the apparent seasonal effect with a biannual period of higher DDD/1000hab/day in the winter months (r2 = 0.567). Conclusion: The pandemic of COVID-19 did not aggravate the consumption of benzodiazepines in the Azorean population. However, a change in the pattern of benzodiazepines' acquisition during 2020, was noticed. Patients might have avoided frequent visits to health services and pharmacies in order to decrease the risk of COVID-19 infection. Nevertheless, the adherence is unclear, and should be further investigated. A weak seasonal pattern in benzodiazepine consumption in the Azorean population was also found.
ABSTRACT
Tourism has been affirmed as an activity that promotes health and well-being. The present study aims to present a confirmatory analysis of the PERMA model in a sample of Portuguese senior tourists who visited the island of São Miguel (Azores). After approval of the study by the ethics committee (reference 6/2022), a Sociodemographic Questionnaire, PERMA Profiler, and Life Satisfaction Scale—SWLS were applied to 1083 senior tourists (≥55 years) of various nationalities. To evaluate the PERMA model for senior tourism in Portugal, a total of 434 senior tourists of Portuguese nationality were extracted from the sample. The results revealed that most of the participants attributed scores above the midpoint in the five dimensions of PERMA (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment) and in the satisfaction with life scale. Using scale reliability analyses, we found that some of the dimensions in the PERMA model showed relatively low values both for Cronbach alpha and composite reliability. Several confirmatory structural equation models (single factorial, second order, and five factors) were calculated, as well as the usual adjustment measures, with the five-factor PERMA model presenting the best structure, although with a relatively low fit. The modification of the model by the weight of regressions between some of the items with larger covariances allowed a better adjustment: χ2(73) = 264.960, p < 0.001, χ2/df = 3.63, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.91, IFI = 0.94;GFI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.078, p < 0.001. Although the results revealed that the experiences of senior tourists when visiting the island of São Miguel contributed significantly to their well-being and the modified model presented superior adjustment quality, future studies are suggested to evaluate the quality of the PERMA model applied to tourism.
ABSTRACT
This paper seeks to identify the pedagogical resources used by kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers in Azores Islands. Additionally, an investigation will be made into how these resources are mobilized in teachers’ pedagogical practice, with the aim of understanding to what extent digital resources, particularly learning objects, are present in schools. For this purpose, a study was developed, which included a questionnaire survey conducted online, and sent to teachers in 2021/22. A total of 426 answers allowed us to conclude that the use of pedagogical resources is still far from the current and emerging need to mobilize digital resources, particularly learning objects, as a tool to enhance meaningful learning.
ABSTRACT
It has become evident that rural tourism grew significantly during the pandemic compared to mass tourism. However, at this time, all the forecasts were wrapped in considerable uncertainty regarding travel, which is not without the elevated associated risk. Therefore, we assessed the perceptions of the entrepreneurs in relation to rural tourism activities regarding the advantages of their rural tourism activity in the Azores for customers. Furthermore, the potential for developing this typology of tourism is pivotal for obtaining very reliable data and information on this topic and enabling us to provide guidelines for the leading regional players. In this regard, an exploratory method was used to assess the perceptions of the entrepreneurs with rural tourism activities in the Azores Islands regarding the customers’ experiences and some other important aspects concerning the promotion of this type of tourism in the region. Throughout this study, it was possible to verify that the most relevant obstacles to the development of rural tourism in the Azores region are the preservation and conservation of nature and endogenous resources and delivering proper infrastructures and regional accessibilities. Contrarily, the increase in community and regional funding and support for rural tourism could be key to the prosperity of this typology of tourism in this insular territory.
ABSTRACT
(1) Background: beverages based on extracts from Camellia sinensis are popular worldwide. Due to an increasing number of processed teas on the market, there is a need to develop unified classification standards based on chemical analysis. Meanwhile, phytochemical characterizations are mainly performed on tea samples from China (~80%). Hence, data on teas of other provenances is recommended. (2) Methods: in the present investigation, we characterized lyophilised extracts obtained by infusion, maceration and methanolic extraction derived from tea samples from China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Portugal by phytochemistry (catechins, oxyaromatic acids, flavonols, alkaloids and theanine). The real benefits of drinking the tea were analysed based on the bioavailability of the determined phytochemicals. (3) Results: the infusions revealed the highest total phenolic contents (TPC) amounts, while methanolic extracts yielded the lowest. The correlation matrix indicated that the levels of phenolic compounds were similar in the infusions and methanolic samples, while extractions made by maceration were significantly different. The differences could be partially explained by the different amounts of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and gallic acids (GA). The catechin percentages were significantly lower in the macerations, especially the quantity of EGCG decreases by 4- to 5-fold after this process. (4) Conclusions: the results highlight the importance of the processing methodology to obtain “instant tea”;the composition of the extracts obtained with the same methodology is not significantly affected by the provenance of the tea. However, attention should be drawn to the specificities of the Japanese samples (the tea analysed in the present work was of Sencha quality). In contrast, the extraction methodology significantly affects the phytochemical composition, especially concerning the content of polyphenols. As such, our results indicate that instant tea classification based on chemical composition is sensible, but there is a need for a standard extraction methodology, namely concerning the temperature and time of contact of the tea leaves with the extraction solvent.
ABSTRACT
As strategies for the development of creative tourism multiply in contexts ranging from global cities to small communities, the need for a clearer conceptual framework, capable of better differentiating existing approaches, has become more evident. Building upon existing knowledge on cultural and creative tourism, and on a prior review of the literature on creative tourism on islands, this paper proposes a typology of creative tourism initiatives, and after examining this new categorization, develops the concept of sustainable creative tourism. Through highlighting the need for creative tourism developers, policymakers, and practitioners to deepen their engagement with more holistic and integrated approaches oriented towards sustainable development in all its dimensions (economic, environmental, social, and cultural), the authors systematize a set of international principles and policy recommendations meant to promote sustainable creative tourism development strategies, duly adjusted to different places and realities, with an emphasis on vulnerable islandscapes.