The cultural offer as a tourist product in coastal destinations: The Case of Algarve,Portugal

Located in the south of Portugal, the Algarve is the most important Portuguese tourism destination. As with most coastal destinations, sun and beach represents the main tourist product. Previous research suggests that cultural products can add value to the core product of a destination, enhancing its competitiveness. However, few empirical studies have examined this premise in coastal destinations. Based on the responses obtained from a questionnaire applied to tourists visiting the Algarve in the Summer of 2007, this study shows that when tourists experience high levels of satisfaction regarding the cultural offer available at the destination they sense that the tourist experience expanded their knowledge and intellectual horizons. Then, the study shows that this feeling of “cultural enrichment” is a contributing factor to the willingness to revisit the destination. The study concludes by discussing the implications of the findings obtained in improving the competitiveness of costal destination.