Turismo no Litoral Versus Turismo no Interior Português. O Destino Turístico Serra da Estrela

Abstract

This article looks at the Serra da Estrela mountain range as a tourist destination in the context of the inland Portuguese tourist  destinations,  identifying its direct competitors as well those that complement its tourism offer. We note the changes in national tourist dynamics, with  the  inland  regions  growing at a faster rate than the coastal ones. As a tourist destination the Serra da Estrela could benefit from having the Douro (whose growth  is  greater)  and the Central Alentejo regions (the more established inland destination) as allies. Furthermore, the Serra da Estrela needs to increase its competitive profile to compete with the Trás-os-Montes region, which presents similar competitive arguments (rural and mountain destination).