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Wine Tourism as a Tool for Sustainable Development of the Cultural Landscape—A Case Study of Douro Wine Region in Portugal

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  • Aleksandra Jezierska-Thöle

    (Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-074 Bydgoszcz, Poland)

  • Alicja Gonia

    (Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-074 Bydgoszcz, Poland)

  • Zbigniew Podgórski

    (Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-074 Bydgoszcz, Poland)

  • Marta Gwiaździńska-Goraj

    (Institute of Spatial Management and Geography, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland)

Abstract

Wine tourism plays an important role in the development of the local economy but also in the promotion of Portuguese wines in Europe and the world. Enotourism is also a tool to achieve sustainable development through the promotion of wine producers and the preservation of the cultural landscape. At the same time, it can increase the living standards of the population, generating jobs and additional income. The main objective of the study was to present the level of development of wine tourism and to identify the benefits associated with its development in accordance with the concept of sustainable development. The study used qualitative and quantitative research. A spatial analysis of the determinants of demographic development and wine production based on diagnostic indicators was carried out using the Charvat and Schneider indexes. A correlation relationship was identified between the following diagnostic characteristics: wine production and wine tourism development, on the one hand, and tourism development and demography. The study identified problem areas, e.g., demographic regression and economic progression (based on wine production), and identified the relationship between wine production and wine tourism development and demographic development. The study area was the traditional European wine region of Douro wine region in Portugal. The UNESCO cultural landscape has been shaped by human activities over the centuries. An original research procedure was developed to diagnose the state of the LAUs and determine the impact of wine tourism on their development. The results of the research indicate that wine tourism is an example of tourism on the UNESCO trail, where production and consumption take place for the benefit of both tourists and entrepreneurs. Enotourism is also seen as an important source of income and an enabler of socio-economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Aleksandra Jezierska-Thöle & Alicja Gonia & Zbigniew Podgórski & Marta Gwiaździńska-Goraj, 2025. "Wine Tourism as a Tool for Sustainable Development of the Cultural Landscape—A Case Study of Douro Wine Region in Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-26, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1494-:d:1588899
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mirosław Biczkowski & Aleksandra Jezierska-Thöle & Roman Rudnicki, 2021. "The Impact of RDP Measures on the Diversification of Agriculture and Rural Development—Seeking Additional Livelihoods: The Case of Poland," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-26, March.
    2. J. Santos & S. Grätsch & M. Karremann & G. Jones & J. Pinto, 2013. "Ensemble projections for wine production in the Douro Valley of Portugal," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 117(1), pages 211-225, March.
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    4. Joana A. Quintela & Helena Albuquerque & Isabel Freitas, 2023. "Port Wine and Wine Tourism: The Touristic Dimension of Douro’s Landscape," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-23, July.
    5. Cristina Santini & Alessio Cavicchi & Leonardo Casini, 2013. "Sustainability in the wine industry: key questions and research trends a," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 1(1), pages 1-14, December.
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