The Application of Sustainable Practices in Tourism: The Case of Olive-growing in the Region of Trás-os-Montes

Abstract

Several authors have argued that oleotourism can be associated with different niches that fall into this segment, such as gastronomic, cultural, rural, and health tourism. Furthermore, the development of activities such as oleotourism is carried out under the prism of sustainability, considering the economic, social and environmental components. This study had a double objective: to identify sustainable practices in tourism, in the case of olives, to understand better how sustainable practices contribute to the development of olive cultivation. Hence, a qualitative methodology used the MAXQDA program, consisting of a literature review and collecting preliminary information from different producers in the Trás-os-Montes region through semi-structured interviews. The results show that sustainability and tourism are intertwined in empirical contexts due to the intervention of other global institutions. The results indicate that the link between tourism and olive grove practices is important and could contribute to regional development. Also, sustainable practices are important for numerous reasons. It is impossible to streamline and develop an activity without considering its sustainability.

Keywords

• sustainable practices
• olive-growing
• oleotourism
• maxqda analysis
• trás-os-montes
• tourism segmentation