Universities and touristic destinations: Salamanca, Coimbra and Santiago de Compostela

Abstract

European universities are university recognized by both their relevant and responsible functions and, in most cases, by significant cultural heritage that assume the form of elements as museums, buildings, libraries and collections. Through studying three university cases within the Iberia Peninsula, we seek to understand the value that such buildings undertake in favour of the city's tourism. The confrontation between perspectives allows to conclude that Coimbra University acquires a higher level of importance when considering the wholeness of proposals that this city has as one. Nonetheless, Salamanca and Santiago de Compostela, also enjoy a "premium" position in referred area, either for dynamics and resources (Salamanca), or due to their networking capabilities (Santiago de Compostela). However, and notwithstanding their success, this study has been able to identify variables that have margin of improvement in topics such as competitivity and sustainability. The article ends with some reflections upon the lack of investigation in the area.