Perceptions of COVID-19's impact on outdoor tourism in the Peneda-Geres National Park

ABSTRACT

At a time when the world is affected by a pandemic and protection measures include social distance, sanitation and disinfection of spaces and equipment, the tourism sector is exposed to numerous obstacles. Insecurity caused by the pandemic has affected tourism indicators all over the world, thus making the need to assess the effective impact of COVID-19 in the tourism sector as well as in outdo or tourism, specifically in the Peneda Geres National Park (PGNP), in Geres mountain range. An exploratory study was carried out, consisting of documentary analysis and interviews to agents who know the dynamics of the PGNP, in relation to the practice of outdo or tourism. The results from the present study point to an increase in the number of visitors to the Park in the summer months, espeficially Portuguese, which was to be expected in view of the limitations in traveling abroad. Due to the cancellation of outdo or activities events, the number of visitors decreased significantly, especially in the low season months, contributing to the increase in seasonality. On the other hand, in the high season months, it was found that the number of participants in outdo or tourism activities operated by tourist entertainment companies increased compared to the same period of the previous year.