Tourism and Hospitality in Portugal: Perspectives of Marketing Students and Graduates
摘要
Tourism and hospitality marketing has evolved significantly, especially in recent decades. Organizations in this field compete for consumers’ leisure time and disposable income, making it crucial to develop tailored offers, communicate effectively, and distribute these experiences strategically. The purpose of this paper is to capture and analyze the perspectives of current marketing students and graduates from ISCAP regarding three key areas of marketing: communication strategies, distribution strategies, and prevailing trends and challenges. A quantitative approach was employed allowing to point out the crucial role of digital communication, particularly via social media and engaging content, for promoting destinations and enhancing brand image. A strong presence on platforms is perceived as vital for visibility, while partnerships with travel agencies are less critical than positive feedback and evaluations. Major challenges identified include strong competition, online reputation management, and unexpected events. Concerning emerging trends, the respondents tend to favor local experiences, authenticity, and interactive content. Moreover, the study indicates that the level of marketing expertise does not significantly impact the way in which respondents perceive the three key areas under analysis. It is notable that less experienced students tend to place greater value on chatbots and virtual assistance than alumni.