Fonte: Journal of Tourism & Development; n. 6 (2006); 83-94
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Resumo: Pedestrianism has gained a great importance as a leisure and tourism activity in several countries. Portugal, with its immense resources, permits the practice of this activity, however, the country has not yet fully explored the tourist potentials of pedestrianism. This article discusses the potentials of pedestrian trails as a tourist infrastructure, with the aim of developing sustainable tourism in rural areas of Portugal. To design trails capable of attracting visitors, it is necessary to know the market needs and demands, both for practitioners and non-practitioners, and convert the non-practitioners into “pedestrians.' This exploratory study presents the results of an analysis carried out on the profile of Portuguese and foreign pedestrians and 'non-pedestrians.” There are some significant differences between Portuguese and foreign pedestrians when it comes to behavior, environmental attitude and in the context of vacations. The comparison of pedestrians with a group of Portuguese who do not usually walk allows us to understand the differences in behavior and attitudes that may lead to a lack of interest in pedestrian trails in the latter group, and at the same time identify variables that may convert this group into pedestrians. It is intended, therefore, to promote pedestrian trails as sustainable tourist infrastructure, adaptable to group’s preferences and conditions.
