The Relationship between Industrial Heritage, Wine Tourism, and Sustainability: a Case of Local Community Perspectiv

Abstract

[Abstract] Our research addresses wine tourism as a means of enhancing the heritage and industrial memory of wine. Specifically, it considers winery tours as a form of industrial tourism capable of boosting the sustainable development of winemaking territories. This article explores the significance and perception of wine tourism from the perspective of the local community by examining a specific case: The Port Wine Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia (Portugal), where tourism and the wine industry are undergoing a greening process, sharing both cultural and commercial ties. The originality of this article lies in the empirical part of the research, which, using quantitative methods based on questionnaires, provides primary data regarding the relationship between sustainability and industrial wine tourism from the perspective of local residents, key agents in the promotion and success of the destination. In general terms, the results statistics obtained through a cluster analysis show that local perception of the impact of wine tourism in Gaia is favorable, and it is considered an element with the capacity to revitalize the economy and also enhance the city’s image. It is also seen as a sustainable option, attributable mainly to economic, cultural, and governance considerations.