The role of public organisations for the development of a tourism network: the case of Beira Baixa

Abstract

Tourism is a complex sector that encompasses a wide variety of public and private actors. Networks have been recognized as a tool with an important role in the tourism sector, contributing to the collaboration between the actors related to the tourism sector, in order to allow an integrated offer of tourism products. In Beira Baixa subregion (NUTS III) there are some differences between the public and private sectors regarding network collaboration and their effects in practice. This article as the main objective to understand the role of public organizations in the tourism sector. Primary data was collected, using questionnaires and interviews with the actors that integrate the region’s tourism offer, in order to build a network of organizations related to tourism in Beira Baixa, in which some subgroups are highlighted. Therefore, it can be seen that the subgroups with the central role in the network of tourism organizations in Beira Baixa are mainly public organizations. They are optimistic about the development of networks and seek to overcome the problems of tourism through the joint collaboration of stakeholders.