190
J. L. Braga and M. Dionísio
it is likely to generate (Ribeiro and Marques 2002). Table 1 shows the main positive
and negative impacts of tourism in rural areas, from an economic, sociocultural and
environmental point of view.
According to the 1987 Brundtland Report, sustainable development is a process
that allows “present generations to meet their needs for improving living conditions,
without compromising the satisfaction of the needs of future generations” (Lima
2011, pp. 34–35). Thus, in order for rural tourism to be sustainable, it needs to
(Williams 1998):
1. Ensure that renewable resources are not consumed at a rate that is faster than the
natural replacement rates.
2. Maintain biological diversity.
3. Recognize and appreciate the aesthetic value of environments.
4. Follow ethical principles that respect local cultures, livelihoods and customs.
5. Involve and consult local communities in development processes.
6. Promote equity in the distribution of economic costs and the benefits of the
activity between tourism promoters and hosts.
These goals are in accordance with the 17 sustainable development goals included
in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and embraced by all United Nations
Member States in 2015 (United Nations n.d.).
4 Hosts of Housing Tourism Houses
HT hosts are often members of the provincial elites, so they come from rural areas
and originate from the place to which the manor house belongs. Sometimes, they are
not only the owners of the house, but also of other buildings and agricultural lands
that they operate in a heterogeneous way and which have been inherited. According
to Cavaco (1999), the promoters of HT are holders of high cultural and economic
indices, and they dedicate themselves mainly to professional activities from the
tertiary sector. They are businessmen, liberal professionals, managers, administrators and senior public officers, although it is not uncommon that they are linked to
agriculture and livestock.
HT units are often owned and operated by only one individual who, very often,
assures their functioning. Nevertheless, family societies represent a form of property
present in a significant number of houses. In general, the owners live on the local
property or in the region, although there are exceptions, and individuals from the
capital are those who show greater mobility, being present in all regions of the
country.
According to Silva (2010), most of the owners of Rural Tourism (RT) are between
45 and 60 years old and have a university degree. About a third even had knowledge
of the tourist activity before starting to practice it. The professional training of the
auxiliary staff, which for the most part is female, exposes deficiencies regarding
the attendance of guests and the use of new information technologies. This can be
J. L. Braga and M. Dionísio
it is likely to generate (Ribeiro and Marques 2002). Table 1 shows the main positive
and negative impacts of tourism in rural areas, from an economic, sociocultural and
environmental point of view.
According to the 1987 Brundtland Report, sustainable development is a process
that allows “present generations to meet their needs for improving living conditions,
without compromising the satisfaction of the needs of future generations” (Lima
2011, pp. 34–35). Thus, in order for rural tourism to be sustainable, it needs to
(Williams 1998):
1. Ensure that renewable resources are not consumed at a rate that is faster than the
natural replacement rates.
2. Maintain biological diversity.
3. Recognize and appreciate the aesthetic value of environments.
4. Follow ethical principles that respect local cultures, livelihoods and customs.
5. Involve and consult local communities in development processes.
6. Promote equity in the distribution of economic costs and the benefits of the
activity between tourism promoters and hosts.
These goals are in accordance with the 17 sustainable development goals included
in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and embraced by all United Nations
Member States in 2015 (United Nations n.d.).
4 Hosts of Housing Tourism Houses
HT hosts are often members of the provincial elites, so they come from rural areas
and originate from the place to which the manor house belongs. Sometimes, they are
not only the owners of the house, but also of other buildings and agricultural lands
that they operate in a heterogeneous way and which have been inherited. According
to Cavaco (1999), the promoters of HT are holders of high cultural and economic
indices, and they dedicate themselves mainly to professional activities from the
tertiary sector. They are businessmen, liberal professionals, managers, administrators and senior public officers, although it is not uncommon that they are linked to
agriculture and livestock.
HT units are often owned and operated by only one individual who, very often,
assures their functioning. Nevertheless, family societies represent a form of property
present in a significant number of houses. In general, the owners live on the local
property or in the region, although there are exceptions, and individuals from the
capital are those who show greater mobility, being present in all regions of the
country.
According to Silva (2010), most of the owners of Rural Tourism (RT) are between
45 and 60 years old and have a university degree. About a third even had knowledge
of the tourist activity before starting to practice it. The professional training of the
auxiliary staff, which for the most part is female, exposes deficiencies regarding
the attendance of guests and the use of new information technologies. This can be