The residents’ perception about the cultural tourism benefits versus the touristic destination image maintained by the visitants: the Guimarães case

Research coordinator: José Cadima Ribeiro (EEG-UM)

Research team: Paula Remoaldo (CICS-UM), Laurentina Vareiro (Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave-IPCA and CICS-UM) and Vítor Marques (Director of the Tourism Services of Guimarães)

Proposing Institution: Núcleo de Investigação em Políticas Públicas (NIPE) of the University of Minho;

Partner Institution: CICS-UM

Funding Institution Guimarães City Council.

Keywords: cultural tourism; development; territory; Guimarães.

Objectives: (i) to determine the perception of the residents of Guimarães about the tourism in the city; (ii) to identify the preferences of the tourists that visited Guimarães and characterise the image they have of the city; (iii) to propose an action plan to the city council to improve the residents’ and tourists’ image of Guimarães; (iv) to contribute to a better relationship between Guimarães and other cities in the region, and to an increase of cultural activities; (v) to contribute to a more sustainable tourism in the region.

Duration: 2009 – 2011