Second home tourism in the Algarve – The perception of public managers

Abstract

Proposal: In the last year’s second home tourism has obtained a relevant attention in Portugal, and especially in the Algarve region. It has been identified by the national tourism plan as one of the strategic products. In the Algarve second home market important for the tourism dynamics. Objective: This study focuses on the perception of government agents in the Algarve about second home tourism, in particular the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that this product creates for regional development. Methodological Design: The study uses a descriptive and exploratory approach with an online survey applied to all  municipalities in the Algarve. Results: The results are helpful to understand second home tourism trajectories by presenting useful information to future strategies. Originality: It was observed that economic factors directly influence strengths and threats, the weakness are more related to social and environmental aspects, and the opportunities are linked to all dimensions, economic, social and environmental.