Tourism-based regional development: boosting and inhibiting factors / Helena Maria Baptista Alves [and four others].

Includes bibliographical references (pages 128-142).

There is scarce evidence on the factors that contribute to regional development based on tourism connection with agri-food sector and related sectors. The aim of this research is to identify the main stimulating and inhibiting factors of this type of development through the eyes of private agents in the tourism, agri-food and related sectors of an inland region of Portugal. A qualitative study was carried out, based on interviews with 15 private agents operating in these sectors. The results highlight as inhibiting factors the problems regarding governance and the lack of manpower, and as stimulating factors the importance of diversification and differentiation through innovation, as well as resources. The conclusions indicated here should be interpreted with care.