Creative Tourism in Vila Nova de Foz Côa:

Abstract

The tourism industry is constantly evolving, mostly due to the development of destinations and ever-changing tourist preferences. As a result, there has been a growing concern with promoting the use of existing resources and increasing profitability, particularly by encouraging diversity and creating local dynamics, moving beyond mass tourism. As tourists show a preference for more personalized and authentic experiences, there is also a growing demand for different experiences, paving the way for creative tourism and co-created activities.
 Focusing on creative tourism in Vila Nova de Foz Côa, this paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the concept of creative tourism, as well as to identify its potential and impact on this region. Drawing from a literature review crosscutting the concepts of authenticity, creativity, and memorability, and on semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders, authors put forward a comprehensive analysis of the state of the art of local policies and available tourism activities, outlining key-areas for future development.
 Overall, the main results of this research show that creative tourism in Vila Nova de Foz Côa is still at an early stage, and even though there is a common interest in developing this practice, it is necessary to improve the relationship between the different stakeholders, particularly when it comes to their communication and involvement in shared initiatives. On the other hand, given the potential of the region, it was also possible to identify prospective tourism products and activities, which can leverage future initiatives within this scope.