Maria Lúcia Pato

Abstract
With the changes manifested in rural areas over the last few decades, the preservation of these territories and their people is associated with the ability of the local population to innovate, often using endogenous resources. Traditional Arts and Crafts (TACs), allied to other local economic activities, constitute instruments of local socioeconomic regeneration. Starting from a research based on the websites of the fourteen municipalities of the interior region Viseu Dao Lafoes in Portugal, complemented with analysis of bibliographic information regarding the initiatives described in the same websites, in this study, it is intended to observe what is the dis-semination that is made by the websites of the municipalities in the region and explore the innovation imprinted by these initiatives. The results suggest that despite the existence of notable examples of TACs initiatives in the region, with a clear focus on innovation - product, process, organizational and marketing, the promotion carried out by the municipalities is (still) modest. Taking into account the artisanal nature of these initiatives themselves, the scarcity of human and financial resources in the municipalities where they are located, but their contribution to strengthening the regional identity and to tourism, institutional support, namely in terms of the promotion that is carried out and animation practices involving artisans, must be reinforced.

Abstract
Wine tourism (WT) is an important area of special-interest tourism in Portugal, and represents an increasingly significant component of regional development. In a more conservative approach, WT has been described as visiting vineyards, wineries, and engaging in wine-related activities. However, this perspective has been broadened, taking advantage of all the potential of the specific destination's terroir (nature/landscape, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, etc.). Wine routes make the connection between wine and tourism in a specific region and intend to boost wine tourism by promoting collaboration between different stakeholders. Different routes present distinct approaches to WT, within diverse regional contexts, and different ways of collaboration within the wine route. This study compares three wine routes at different stages of development, located in a rural periphery - in the central region of Portugal - Bairrada, Dao, and Beira Interior, considering both context data and information collected in 113 interviews conducted with diverse wine tourism agents from these routes. Besides a brief characterization of the three routes, the main results indicate supplier's preference for terroir routes instead of wine routes and show the importance of gender, age, and education level for the collaborative work between stakeholders. These aspects and their contribution to the development of WT routes are discussed. Some questions that additional studies may help answering are also reflected.

Abstract
At a time when tourists are increasingly looking to live memorable tourist experiences, gastronomy, in general, and traditional products can be valuable contributions to achieving this purpose. The main objective of this investigation is the survey and analysis of tourist developments registered in the municipality of Viseu, which include in their meals some traditional certified product, produced in the Dão Region. Another of the research objectives concerns the analysis of the communication that is made between tourist enterprises and tourists, with regard to traditional products. In order to achieve the defined objectives, a qualitative methodology was used, using a survey technique, applied to all tourist accommodations registered in the municipality of Viseu. Thirty-one accommodations were identified in the municipality of Viseu and 7 certified products in the Dão region. Most enterprises use at least one of the certified products in the meals they serve to tourists, the most common being Queijo Serra da Estrela PDO and Dão wine PDO. As for communication, this is mainly done through the accommodation staff, who during the service talk about the product and its characteristics. © 2023, Universidade de Aveiro. All rights reserved.

Abstract
Planning consists of thinking about the future and allows territories to be better prepared to take advantage of opportunities and face challenges that arise. In Portugal, tourism is one of the pillars of the economy, generating wealth and creating various job openings. In recent years, this destination has won several international awards and distinctions due to the quality of services and tourism offerings. Part of this success is due to the planning carried out by the entity responsible, Turismo de Portugal. This study aims to analyse the content and structure of national tourism plans implemented in Portugal since 2000. Furthermore, we want to understand: (1) the vision outlined for the Portuguese territory and the changes it has undergone in recent decades; (2) the methodologies that were used in the formation process of these plans, for instance, if public auscultation was used; (3) the main objectives defined for the territory and which were the actions that have been defined to achieve them. A qualitative methodology of document analysis was used, combined with the presentation of a case study related to tourism planning at a national level. The results show the growing importance of the tourism sector for the Portuguese economy. Since 2020, the growing involvement of stakeholders in the construction of strategic plans has also been evident through public consultation and an emphasis on sustainability practices in the tourism sector.

Abstract
The protection of agri-food regional products is taking on growing importance in a market dominated by global companies and brands, often with no personality. Thirty years ago, the European Union (EU) agricultural product quality policy introduced the protection of geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural products and foodstuffs, with the aim of highlighting the quality of products resulting from a specific origin, therefore helping their communication and positioning in the market. This is important in countries with a considerable percentage of rural regions, as is the case of Portugal. Bearing this in mind, the purpose of this study is to see what are the drivers of the spatial distribution of traditional products (protected geographical indications, protected designations of origin, and traditional speciality guaranteed) in Portugal. For this purpose, the distribution of traditional products by regions and categories in Portugal will be presented. Also, Portugal's position will be analysed and compared to the other EU countries, regarding the number of traditional products. Results show that Portugal is the country with the fourth biggest number of traditional certified products in EU territory. In the national territory, the Northern Region of Portugal has the biggest percentage of protected products, followed by Alentejo and the Centre Region of Portugal. Also, in Portugal, looking at the type of products, from a list of ten different categories of GIs, the ranking is dominated by (1) fresh meat, (2) meat products (cooked, salted, or smoked), and (3) cheese and milk-based products. If we consider that many of the aforementioned products are produced in less favoured regions, these results constitute an opportunity for their sustainable development. This benefits not only the producers, but also consumers who increasingly seek authentic and more natural products.