BIBLIOS

Document type
Journal articles

Document subtype
Full paper

Title
Activating an artisanal saltpan: tourism crowding in or waterbirds crowding out?

Participants in the publication
Jorge Ramos (Author)
UNIVERSIDADE DO ALGARVE
Patrícia Pinto (Author)
UNIVERSIDADE DO ALGARVE
Pedro Pintassilgo (Author)
UNIVERSIDADE DO ALGARVE
Anabela Resende (Author)
Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António (ICN)
Luís Cancela da Fonseca (Author)
CTA - Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias da Água, Universidade do Algarve
MARE

Summary
Abstract\\nPurpose – There is an increasing interest in visiting protected areas in the Algarve (Portugal). Tourists are interested in contact with nature activities. However, protected areas are quite sensitive to human pressure and are limited in their carrying capacity. The purpose of this study is to fill a literature gap concerning which features attract tourists who visit saltpans via a pedestrian tour and what sort of pressure they inflict on waterbirds’ behaviour.\\nDesign/methodology/approach – The tour consists of a predefined path with interpretive boards and guides who provide explanations to visitors. This study is threefold: to find out if waterbirds are disturbed by the presence of tourists, if tourists prefer to learn more about saltpans instead of finding waterbirds and if tourists have any preferred waterbird species. The methods used are direct observations with binoculars of the saltpan area and a short questionnaire. With the data collected, three hypotheses are tested.\\nFindings – The results show that the occurrence of waterbirds does not vary according to the presence or absence of tourist visits, tourists prefer visiting saltpans rather than watching waterbirds and there is some waterbird species preference.\\nPractical implications – Few people can visit the saltpan while keeping disturbance of both waterbirds and workers to a minimum. This study gives insights into sustainable ecotourism practices and how to articulate them with saltpan works.\\nOriginality/value – The value of this study can be demonstrated by the interconnection between traditional salt production, waterbirds’ habitat, visitors’ interest and their interaction.


Where published
International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research

Publication Identifiers
ISSN - 1750-6182

Publisher
Emerald



Document Identifiers
DOI - https://doi.org/10.1108/ijcthr-04-2021-0101
URL - http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijcthr-04-2021-0101

Keywords
Tourists Salt production Disturbance Ria Formosa Sustainable ecotourism Waterbirds