Thermal Tourism in Vidalgo, Portugal (1908-1968): Good Infrastructure Attracts Tourists and Visitors-Day

Abstract

This paper presents a case study on thermal tourism in Vidago, Portugal, from 1908 to 1968, prioritizing a qualitative approach. Documentary, oral and iconographic sources were consulted to report the growth of hotel infrastructure - a diverse set of hotels and pensions -, also responsible for providing leisure activities, both essential to the success of a spa. In studied period, locality also invested in internal and external access routes. The article also presents the everyday life of a visitor as well as concerns of tourists to indicate effects of this process of physical transformation of the place. It is concluded that Vidago is an excellent example to illustrate how consistent and coherent investments in the various components of tourism development can transform a place into a destination of renown.