Sofia Almeida

Networks are cooperation arrangements that have gained importance over the last century. In the future, network-based and network structures will be among the most important organizational models. Therefore, this assumption formed the basis of the questionnaire designed for conducting this research. The objectives of this research are: (1) to examine hotel decision-makers’ perceptions about the future of networks in tourism and (2) to analyse the influence of online distribution on hotel… Exibir mais

Networks are cooperation arrangements that have gained importance over the last century. In the future, network-based and network structures will be among the most important organizational models. Therefore, this assumption formed the basis of the questionnaire designed for conducting this research. The objectives of this research are: (1) to examine hotel decision-makers’ perceptions about the future of networks in tourism and (2) to analyse the influence of online distribution on hotel marketing consortia. A questionnaire was sent to four- and five-star hotel units in Portugal. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis was performed. Main conclusions and recommendations for both academics and practitioners are then presented and discussed.

KEYWORDS
Network model, hotel marketing consortium, hotel sector, Portugal
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Abstract | The co-creation paradigm advocates businesses to focus on customers' skills and resources in order to create value. The co-creative experience emerges in this context as an opportunity for the customer to actively participate in the creation of personalized value. Customer co-creation is addres- sed in this study through the analysis of the propositions of co-creative experiences facilitated by three hotels operating in Portugal. Results from this research bring insights that help… Exibir mais

Abstract | The co-creation paradigm advocates businesses to focus on customers' skills and resources in order to create value. The co-creative experience emerges in this context as an opportunity for the customer to actively participate in the creation of personalized value. Customer co-creation is addres- sed in this study through the analysis of the propositions of co-creative experiences facilitated by three hotels operating in Portugal. Results from this research bring insights that help similares businesses to strengthen their orientation towards co-creation.
Keywords | Co-creation, co-creative experience, active participation, hotels

Resumo | O paradigma da co-criação propõe que as empresas reconheçam as capacidades e recursos dos clientes como fonte de criação de valor. A experiência co-criativa surge, neste contexto, como uma oportunidade de o cliente participar activamente na criação personalizada de valor. A co-criação por parte do cliente é, no presente estudo, analisada mediante as propostas de experiências co-criativas apresentadas por três hotéis portugueses. Espera-se que os resultados desta investigação possam auxiliar negócios similares a estimular a sua orientação para este emergente modelo de negócio.
Palavras-chave | Co-criação, experiência co-criativa, participação ativa, hotéis
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Service Dominant Logic postulates a new approach to value creation, in which consumer participation is fundamental. Value creation is the effect of consumer’s contribution to the creation of the experience and value the contextual appraisal of the lived experience (value-in-context). Operant resources are the set of the intangible resources of the various firm’s agents that make value creation possible. From the consumer’s perspective, operant resources are considered the knowledge and skills… Exibir mais

Service Dominant Logic postulates a new approach to value creation, in which consumer participation is fundamental. Value creation is the effect of consumer’s contribution to the creation of the experience and value the contextual appraisal of the lived experience (value-in-context). Operant resources are the set of the intangible resources of the various firm’s agents that make value creation possible. From the consumer’s perspective, operant resources are considered the knowledge and skills that influence their greater or lesser capacity to create the consumption experience. The youth market is growing and there is increasing interest in understanding this segment. Young travelers are known for their preference for independent travel, active participation and adventure. This requires the application and development of skills for self-planning the trip and selecting engaging activities at the destination. As there is need to better understand this segment, the purpose of this study is thus to understand the operant resources involved in the travel experience, when this experience takes place independently of the mass tourism supply chain and the tourist is this young independent traveler, who prefers to venture in the trip neglecting traditional, organized circuits and tours. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to a sample of young independent travelers using the snowball method. Results show that most valued operant resources of young independent travelers are informational (and based on digital technologies) and humanistic (such as financial and physical resources, time, expertise, self-efficacy, and overall effort), but also that relational resources are important. Managerial recommendations are made so that destinations and businesses are able to enhance their attractiveness for this growing group of tourism consumers.

Keywords: Independent Travel, Youth Segment, Young Independent Traveler, S-D Logic, Operant Resource
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O dicionário de turismo e hospitalidade é uma obra que recupera a multidisciplinariedade do turismo, num verdadeiro roteiro semântico pelas áreas disciplinares que enformam os cursos de formação em turismo e gestão hoteleira.
Meia centena de autores, maioritariamente docentes da Faculdade de Turismo e Hospitalidade da Universidade Europeia contribuíram para esta obra que aborda o turismo sob múltiplas perspetivas. A sociologia, a economia, o marketing, a gestão, a cultura, a geografia, a… Exibir mais

O dicionário de turismo e hospitalidade é uma obra que recupera a multidisciplinariedade do turismo, num verdadeiro roteiro semântico pelas áreas disciplinares que enformam os cursos de formação em turismo e gestão hoteleira.
Meia centena de autores, maioritariamente docentes da Faculdade de Turismo e Hospitalidade da Universidade Europeia contribuíram para esta obra que aborda o turismo sob múltiplas perspetivas. A sociologia, a economia, o marketing, a gestão, a cultura, a geografia, a história e o direito são algumas das áreas disciplinares que dão corpo a este dicionário.
Este dicionário contempla ainda termos específicos da operação hoteleira que concretizam a atividade.

Mais de três centenas de termos explicam o fenómeno turístico com a heterogeneidade e riqueza que o turismo merece. Discute-se o conceito de turismo, as tipologias de turismo, a operação e a sustentabilidade do turismo. A edição bilingue permite aos leitores nacionais ou estrangeiros uma maior imersão no verdadeiro sentido do turismo a inexistência de barreiras. Exibir menos

Abstract

In the increasingly competitive hotel environment, decision-makers must consider the risks and benefits of remaining independent or affiliating with a brand or consortium. This research sought to understand the level of importance associated with a set of motivating factors considered by Portuguese four- and five-hoteliers as it relates to remaining independent or affiliating. The study results suggest that independent hoteliers rank control over decision making and shorter… Exibir mais

Abstract

In the increasingly competitive hotel environment, decision-makers must consider the risks and benefits of remaining independent or affiliating with a brand or consortium. This research sought to understand the level of importance associated with a set of motivating factors considered by Portuguese four- and five-hoteliers as it relates to remaining independent or affiliating. The study results suggest that independent hoteliers rank control over decision making and shorter decision making as most important in remaining independent, and increased sales and more aggressive marketing as most important in the decision to affiliate. Affiliated hoteliers rank shorter decision making and absence of fees as most important in remaining independent, and increased sales, brand value, and more aggressive marketing as most important in the decision to affiliate. Interestingly, independence and freedom were considered less important in the decision to remain indepen- dent, by all respondents. We apply Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory to explain some of the key findings.

Keywords:
Motivational factors, hotel independence versus affiliation, Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory, Portugal Exibir menos

Abstract | Tourism is a growing and resilient sector, despite the social, economic and political context of our society in the last decade. The hospitality supply has been following this growing trend and the largest hotel groups have been seeking for new ways to expand, creating or acquiring new hotels and developing their presence in emerging markets. There are also many small hotel units, although with larger obstacles, namely difficulties in obtaining resources to invest in… Exibir mais

Abstract | Tourism is a growing and resilient sector, despite the social, economic and political context of our society in the last decade. The hospitality supply has been following this growing trend and the largest hotel groups have been seeking for new ways to expand, creating or acquiring new hotels and developing their presence in emerging markets. There are also many small hotel units, although with larger obstacles, namely difficulties in obtaining resources to invest in internationalization strategies or in more aggressive on-line distribution strategies. In this context, independent hotel chains have emerged, operating as consortia and aiming at helping small hotel units to have promotional, marketing and commercial strategies. In another perspective, consortia aim at acquiring competitive advantage by differentiating themselves in the market. Their strategy involves an increase in dimension to gain critical mass and higher negotiation capacity. Another competitive advantage is the specialization in certain market segments, each consortium seeking to obtain their own market share. It is in this context that hotel chains are addressed, their advantages and difficulties in an increasingly complex and competitive market. This article aims at presenting a case study about a Portuguese consortium of 136 hotel units and discussing how networks can be a leverage factor in hospitality.
Keywords | Consortia,Networking,Hospitality,Competitiveadvantage.

Resumo | O Turismo é um sector em crescimento e sobretudo resiliente, não obstante os acontecimentos sociais, económicos e políticos que têm caracterizado a sociedade nas últimas décadas. A oferta hoteleira tem acompanhado este movimento crescente e as grandes cadeias hoteleiras procuram novas formas de expansão, criando ou adquirindo novos hotéis e desenvolvendo a sua presença nos mercados emergentes....
Palavras-chave | Consórcio,Redes,Hotelaria,Vantagemcompetitiva.
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This article seeks to discuss the concept of boutique hotels and its importance in the
development of a city break destination, focusing its analysis in the city of Lisbon. Starting from
a conceptual approach which seeks to relate “city break” product with this new type of hotels,
the study is complemented with the results of a survey on the directors of Lisbon’s boutique
hotels in order to understand their perceptions about this phenomena, its importance to Lisbon
and to know… Exibir mais

This article seeks to discuss the concept of boutique hotels and its importance in the
development of a city break destination, focusing its analysis in the city of Lisbon. Starting from
a conceptual approach which seeks to relate “city break” product with this new type of hotels,
the study is complemented with the results of a survey on the directors of Lisbon’s boutique
hotels in order to understand their perceptions about this phenomena, its importance to Lisbon
and to know its consumer profile
ISBN: 978-989-97395-1-2 Exibir menos

Guerreiro, S., & Almeida, S. (2013) Regional Tourism Competitiveness in the period 2001-2009: An application of Market Share Analysis to Portuguese Destinations. C. Correia, M, Serra, F. Santos, J. & Águas, P. (Eds). Competitiveness, Marketing and Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 25-38. Universidade do Algarve, Escola Superior de Gestão, Hotelaria e Turismo. Faro, Portugal. ISBN 978-989-8472-36-6

A literature review on the concept of Independent hotel chain, soft brand or hotel chain´s, lead us to the concept of coopetition, while cooparation mechanism underlying these chains has assumed an increasing importance in improving efficiency of the organizations.


Almeida, S. & Guerreiro, S. (2012): The Coopetition as new trend in chains of hotels, In: Abranja, N (Ed) Tourism Training and Innovation Studies and experiments, 544-555, Pedagogical Issues. Lisboa. ISBN:… Exibir mais

A literature review on the concept of Independent hotel chain, soft brand or hotel chain´s, lead us to the concept of coopetition, while cooparation mechanism underlying these chains has assumed an increasing importance in improving efficiency of the organizations.


Almeida, S. & Guerreiro, S. (2012): The Coopetition as new trend in chains of hotels, In: Abranja, N (Ed) Tourism Training and Innovation Studies and experiments, 544-555, Pedagogical Issues. Lisboa. ISBN: 978-989-8449-98-6. Exibir menos

Web Trends – 10 cases made in Web 2.0 / Portugal

Almeida, S. (2011). Participation in the book. In Gomes, A.S. (Ed) Web trends: 10 Cases made in web 2.0”. Comunicarte Publishing. Silabo editions. Lisboa. ISBN: 9789899635913.