A região Norte de Portugal e a preferência da procura turística: Litoral versus Interior

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the evolution of preferences regarding tourism demand in the various sub regions that make up the Northern Region of Portugal. To achieve this, the Preferential Index has been calculated using the Investor Sentiment Theory as a theoretical framework. This analysis has done through a comparison of Coastal and Inland destinations, during the period of 1997 to 2001. The conclusion reached after this analysis is that the Preferential Index enables us to state that tourists prefer Coastal to Inland destinations for this period. Nevertheless after calculating the Preferential Index bearing in mind the tourists’ nationality, there has been a progressive preference of both national and foreign tourists towards Inland destinations in detriment of Coastal areas. In other words, it is possible to assume that competitiveness of Coastal regions is diminishing in relation to the Inland.