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Repositório IC-Online

Institution's Scientific Repository

 

IC-Online, the Institutional Repository of Scientific Information of the Polytechnic of Leiria (IPLeiria), is part of the RCAAP Project (Open Access Scientific Repositories of Portugal). Its main objectives are to organise, preserve and disseminate the scientific production of the Polytechnic of Leiria (IPLeiria), helping to increase the visibility and impact of the institution's scientific publications.

The IC-Online Repository includes various types of digital documents, such as articles from national and international scientific journals, papers from congresses and conferences, master's dissertations and doctoral theses, among others.

Email repositorio@ipleiria.pt

Recent Submissions

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Publication . Coelho, Vânia
2025Research article Open access Show more
Host-guest interactions as a key to enhancing tourists WOM communication about Mediterranean destinations
Publication . Gomes, Dora; Kastenholz, Elisabeth; Ferreira, Alcina Gaspar
Host communities play diverse roles in tourism, from suppliers to ‘place ambassadors’, enriching the visitor experience with their local knowledge and hospitality. While recognising these advantages, gaps in understanding the overall impact of positive host-guest interactions on destination success, through word-of-mouth (WOM), persist. This research studies the dynamics in resident-tourist interactions by examining how the social environment (reflected in residents’ friendliness) and emotional solidarity (sense of being welcome, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding), augment tourists' likelihood to share positive WOM, thus enhancing destination management strategies. This may be one of the first studies focused on WOM as an outcome of host-guest interactions, where recommendations on this specific area are given, to the Mediterranean region. An online survey was conducted among Portuguese who reported holidays in the Mediterranean region. Data was analysed using multiple linear regression modelling. Findings indicate that the perceived social environment, sense of being welcome, and sympathetic understanding on behalf of residents significantly and positively influence tourists’ WOM about the Mediterranean region. These results reinforce the importance of involving residents in destination management. First, as key points of contact with tourists, fostering positive interactions and promoting the destination through subsequent WOM. Additionally, residents' involvement in destination management allows them to control their interaction purposes, minimising negative impacts and strengthening their commitment to the destination. Effective tourism strategies should prioritise host-guest interaction, which could be central to the community-led tourism concept, benefiting both tourists and residents alike.
2024Book part Restricted access Show more
The Role of Host-Guest Interactions in Remote Work-Driven Tourism Development
Publication . Gomes, Dora; Kastenholz, Elisabeth; Ferreira, Alcina Gaspar; Almeida, João
Digital nomadism, characterised by location-independent work and enabled by digital technologies, represents a promising path for destinations seeking to revitalise their economies and attract new residents, associated to their quality of life, welcoming communities and interesting leisure and tourism proposals. This study examines the interplay between digital nomads and local communities by examining host-guest interactions, their influence on perceived quality of life, and the evolving attitudes of residents towards tourism development. In-depth interviews with residents from a low-population density rural area and representatives from the local Destination Management Organization (DMO) were conducted. The findings from this case study provide valuable insights into how rural communities can manage and benefit from the growing trend of ‘remote working tourism', while also addressing potential challenges related to cultural integration, economic disparities, and community cohesion.
2025-04-11Book part Restricted access Show more
Tourism Destination Branding as a Marketing Factor: A Short Literature Review with a Focus on Northern Cyprus
Publication . Kudratova, Malika; Castanho, Rui Alexandre; Santos, Eleonora
This research aims to evaluate the effects of “branding” on client satisfaction and loyalty within the framework of marketing management studies. As a result, brand image and destination brand loyalty were used as two mediators to examine customer happiness and loyalty. The premise is that the success of the lodging industry (i.e., four-and five-star hotels) significantly impacts a destination’s profitable tourism sector. However, the lodging industry can succeed if there is a base of devoted and contented clients. A significant role in mediating this results is branding. Contextually, the study used the Northern Cyprus as a case to investigate and examine the elements that establish the island’s “brand” description and how much branding may be used as a marketing tool. The results show that customers’ contributions to the delivery and use of destination services do not have a beneficial impact on the brand image of the destination, nor does brand image serve as a mediator between customers’ contributions and destination brand loyalty. Regarding the clients’ willingness to get service with no input, this can be explained. Moreover, customer satisfaction is acknowledged as having a favorable impact on the perception of a location. The relationship between service quality and loyalty is consistent with earlier research. Service quality positively impacts customer satisfaction, albeit the findings were lower than anticipated.
2024Book part Restricted access Show more
Application of a Telephone Program for Informal Caregivers of Patients with Bipolar Disease
Publication . Afonso, Catarina Inês Costa; Madeira, Ana Spínola; Reis, Alcinda; Gomes, João
Background/Objectives: Family caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) experience substantial burden, yet scalable caregiver-focused supports are scarce. This pilot study tested a nurse-led telephone program to evaluate feasibility and acceptability and to explore perceived impacts on caregiver burden, coping, and well-being. Methods: A descriptive pilot case study was conducted in an adult psychiatric inpatient unit in Portugal. Six informal caregivers of inpatients with BD completed a structured six-call protocol over approximately 6–8 weeks. Results: Overall, 6 caregivers completed the full cycle, totaling 36 sessions (6 assessment, 18 psychoeducational, 6 psychosocial, and 6 evaluation sessions). Thematic analysis identified four recurrent themes: (1) embracing the caregiver role—recognizing personal needs and legitimizing help-seeking; (2) patience and understanding—adopting emotion-regulation strategies; (3) self-reflection on personal strengths—increased self-efficacy and acknowledgment of persistence, empathy, and resilience; and (4) fostering hope and resilience—expressing future-oriented goals consolidated in a personalized “hope kit.” Conclusions: A brief, protocolized, nurse-delivered telephone program for caregivers of inpatients with BD was both feasible and acceptable, producing meaningful qualitative benefits consistent with the aims of psychoeducation (knowledge acquisition, coping, and emotional regulation). Findings support the use of telephone support as a pragmatic complement to standard BD care and justify larger controlled studies to quantify effects on caregiver burden, mood, and resilience, and to compare telephone, in-person, and blended delivery models.
2025-11-18Journal article Open access Show more