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Publications

Publications by Maria Lúcia Pato

2023

Comparison of three wine routes' realities in Central Portugal

Authors
Cunha, D; Pato, ML; Kastenholz, E; Barroco, C;

Publication
OPEN AGRICULTURE

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.

2023

Certified traditional products and their use in tourist accommodation: A study in the municipality of Viseu [Produtos tradicionais certificados e o seu uso nos empreendimentos turísticos: Um estudo no concelho de Viseu]

Authors
Duque, AS; Pato, ML;

Publication
Journal of Tourism and Development

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.

2023

Strategic Issues in Portuguese Tourism Plans: An Analysis of National Strategic Plans since 2000

Authors
Pato, ML; Duque, AS;

Publication
SUSTAINABILITY

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.

2023

Traditional agri-food products and sustainability - A fruitful relationship for the development of rural areas in Portugal

Authors
Pato, ML; Duque, AS;

Publication
OPEN AGRICULTURE

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.

2022

Machine Learning and Food Security: Insights for Agricultural Spatial Planning in the Context of Agriculture 4.0

Authors
Martinho, VJPD; Cunha, CAD; Pato, ML; Costa, PJL; Sanchez-Carreira, MC; Georgantzis, N; Rodrigues, RN; Coronado, F;

Publication
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL

Abstract
Climate change and global warming interconnected with the new contexts created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have brought serious challenges to national and international organizations, especially in terms of food security and agricultural planning. These circumstances are of particular concern due to the impacts on food chains and the resulting disruptions in supply and price changes. The digital agricultural transition in Era 4.0 can play a decisive role in dealing with these new agendas, where drones and sensors, big data, the internet of things and machine learning all have their inputs. In this context, the main objective of this study is to highlight insights from the literature on the relationships between machine learning and food security and their contributions to agricultural planning in the context of Agriculture 4.0. For this, a systematic review was carried out based on information from text and bibliographic data. The proposed objectives and methodologies represent an innovative approach, namely, the consideration of bibliometric evaluation as a support for a focused literature review related to the topics addressed here. The results of this research show the importance of the digital transition in agriculture to support better policy and planning design and address imbalances in food chains and agricultural markets. New technologies in Era 4.0 and their application through Climate-Smart Agriculture approaches are crucial for sustainable businesses (economically, socially and environmentally) and the food supply. Furthermore, for the interrelationships between machine learning and food security, the literature highlights the relevance of platforms and methods, such as, for example, Google Earth Engine and Random Forest. These and other approaches have been considered to predict crop yield (wheat, barley, rice, maize and soybean), abiotic stress, field biomass and crop mapping with high accuracy (R2 approximate to 0.99 and RMSE approximate to 1%).

2020

Short food supply chains - a growing movement. The case study of the Viseu Dao Lafoes Region

Authors
Pato, ML;

Publication
OPEN AGRICULTURE

Abstract
In spite of the increasing attention being paid to short food supply chains (SFSCs), research in the area is still scarce, particularly in Portugal. Thus, based on a case study in Viseu Dao Lathes Region (VDLR), we intend to identify and discuss (emphasizing potentialities and constraints) the movement of SFSCs in the region. This case study is based on document analysis and interviews with agrifood baskets' promotors. On the one hand, the results show the wide variety of SFSCs that exist in the region and the emergence of new forms of SFSCs like the agrifood baskets. On the other hand, the empirical research also emphasizes the environmental, economic, and sociocultural benefits of SFSCs that will have a positive impact on the well-being of producers, consumers, and/or on the whole region. However, the interviews have also exposed a (certain) limitation in terms of communication and marketing that may constraint these initiatives. From a practical point of view, it became clear that producers must do their best to develop their communication and marketing strategies; from a political point of view, local authorities should provide the necessary assistance to help implement training programmes and develop suitable communication and marketing skills.

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