RURAL TOURISM IN NORTHERN PORTUGAL – MOTIVATIONS AND BARRIERS

Abstract

Tourism in rural areas boosts economic dynamism, turning them more attractive, diversifying economic activities, creating jobs and wealth. With the importance that micro and small companies play on economic growth, particularly in rural areas, the objective of this article is to analyze the main motivations to start a business in rural tourism and the problems and barriers faced by these entrepreneurs in Northern Portugal. With the results of a questionnaire an exploratory factor analysis was conducted and the results show that the main motivations to create the business were related to family and success. Using a cluster analyses owners were grouped in three segments. They encountered some restrictions in the start-up process as bureaucracy, lack of financial support and information.