Understanding the impact of intentions in the adoption of local development practices by rural tourism hosts in Portugal

Abstract

Abstract The role of tourism in the revitalization of rural peripheral areas has been highlighted both in academic and political discourse, with tourism entrepreneurs, particularly local hosts, being recognized as central in the process. However, the role of individual enterprises and entrepreneurs is largely underestimated in the literature and models of destination development. Using the Central Region of Portugal as a case study, this research investigates the impact of pro-development intentions on the behaviour of rural tourism hosts in actually promoting rural development. For this purpose, an empirical model was estimated showing that intentions are important but insufficient to explain behaviour. Other factors such as lodgement location, business success, manager's residence, level of education, and past professional experience, are crucial to explain the adoption of local development practices by local hosts.