Browsing by Author "Martins, Mariana"

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(de)regulating Access To Tourism and Hospitality Professions: the Case of Portugal
(Varna Univ Management-vum, 2025) Seyitoglu, Faruk; Costa, Carlos; Martins, Mariana; Malta, Ana Maria
This study explores the perceptions of key stakeholders responsible for tourism and hospitality (T&H) organisations in Portugal regarding deregulating access to professions in T&H labour. A qualitative research approach was utilised. Through in-depth interviews, data was collected purposefully from the participants. According to the qualitative findings, opinions on regulating and deregulating professions in T&H labour emerged as against deregulation, against regulation, and moderate. However, most opinions fall under the against deregulation category. Moreover, deregulating access to the profession has both positive and negative impacts, and the influences of deregulation on working models include two sub-themes: self-employment and accumulation of functions. Finally, policymakers' responses to deregulation include elements such as the increase in the number of associates that joined associations, the partnership of associations with educational institutions to create certifications, and the creation ofunions for specific positions. This research contributes valuable insights from key stakeholders on the deregulation of professions in T&H labour in Portugal, providing policymakers and scholars with a better understanding of the viewpoints on regulating and deregulating professions in this sector.
The future of tourism and hospitality labour: challenges, requirements, trends, skills and the impact of technology
(Routledge, 2023) Seyitoğlu, Faruk; Costa, Carlos; Martins, Mariana; Malta, Ana Maria
This study was designed to fill two main research gaps: the need for a multidimensional perspective on the future of tourism and hospitality (T&H) labour and the lack of studies from the perspectives of key stakeholders who are representatives of tourism organisations and involved in policymaking. Therefore, it unveils the perceptions of policymakers responsible for tourism organisations in Portugal towards the future of T&H labour. Following an exploratory qualitative case study approach based on semi-structured interviews with eleven policymakers, the results illustrate that the most prominent challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic created are the damage to practical ability, finding a skilled and experienced workforce, and attracting tourism labour back to the sector. However, there are some requirements to overcome such challenges in the future. Moreover, future trends and skills for T&H employment were revealed as new working models, digitisation and robotisation, and the expected skills such as management, analytical, digital marketing, and customer behaviour analysis. Finally, technology was found to have positive and negative impacts on T&H employment. The results and implications will benefit Portugal and different destinations in understanding the dimensions of T&H labour for the future and developing future actions, strategies and policies.
GENDER (IN)EQUALITY AND WORK-LIFE (IM)BALANCE IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY LABOUR: PERSPECTIVES OF TOURISM ORGANISATIONS IN PORTUGAL
(University of Rijeka, 2023) Costa, Carlos; Seyitoğlu, Faruk; Malta, Ana Maria; Martins, Mariana
Purpose – This research note explores the perceptions of key stakeholders in tourism organisations regarding gender equality and work-life balance in the Portuguese tourism and hospitality industry. Methodology/Design/Approach – Eleven key stakeholders representing tourism organisations in Portugal were interviewed to obtain qualitative data. A content analysis was then conducted to uncover themes and sub-themes. Findings – The results show two main themes, including sub-themes: Gender inequality (partial gender equality, lack of gender salary equality, lack of women in higher positions, and gender inequality in career advancement) and work-life balance (the difficulty of balancing work and personal/family life and the need for better conditions for women accompanying children). Originality of the research – his study highlights gender equality and work-life balance in the tourism and hospitality industry from the perspective of managers of the leading tourism organisations in Portugal. The study also provides critical implications and future directions based on the findings.