CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES OF ISLAND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Island tourism development is increasingly shaped by challenges arising from pronounced seasonal concentration of tourism demand, pressure on communal infrastructure, and cumulative environmental stress in a mature island destination. These challenges are particularly pronounced in mature island destinations, where cumulative pressures require adaptive governance and context-specific policy responses. This paper explores the contemporary challenges of island tourism development through a qualitative case study of Mali Lošinj, one of Croatia’s most developed island tourism destinations. The study adopts a qualitative case study approach based on document and discourse analysis of strategic and institutional materials related to tourism development in Mali Lošinj. Selected findings from a survey conducted among local residents in September 2025 are used as a supplementary source of evidence for triangulation purposes. The survey captures residents’ perceptions of tourism-related pressures and sustainability-oriented policies but does not serve as the primary research method. The findings indicate that Mali Lošinj faces interconnected challenges related to seasonal tourism concentration, infrastructure capacity constraints, and cumulative pressure on the natural environment, including pronounced seasonality and governance-related implementation constraints. While sustainability is strongly embedded in institutional discourse and strategic planning, persistent development pressures highlight gaps between policy intentions and practical outcomes. Residents’ perceptions largely align with institutional assessments regarding key challenges, although uncertainties remain concerning the effectiveness of sustainability measures. The paper contributes to the literature on island tourism development by illustrating how general sustainability challenges materialise in a mature island context.

Josip HORVAT - PhDc., Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka, Croatia e-mail: josiphorvat85@gmail.com

Zvonimira SVERKO GRDIC - Full Professor, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka, Croatia e-mail: zgrdic@fthm.hr

Filipos RUXHO - Assistant Professor, Department of Business and Management Universum College, Prishtina, Kosovo e-mail: filip.ruxho@universum-ks.org (Corresponding Author)

O20, 044, R11

RETHINKING OLIVE OIL PRODUCTION: PATHS TO SUSTAINABILITY

Olive groves and olive oil production have been part of rural landscapes in Portugal since ancient times. While their social and cultural relevance are rooted in the past, their economic role stands out today. However, the intensification of production has been putting at risk the balance between territory, landscape and production. The challenge is to revitalise rural areas without pressure on natural resources, ecosystems and their inevitable relation to local communities, meaning to improve agricultural practices and quality of life. Sustainability programs have emerged to address these concerns. This article reflects on some impacts of the intensification of olive groves and shares insights from the Olive Oil of Alentejo Sustainability Program (OASP), focusing on Human Communities, Landscape Management, and Biodiversity. It presents suggestions for improvements in these areas and concludes that initiatives like OASP are important complements to public policy instruments. Also highlights the importance of involving public and private actors, researchers, and communities to develop innovative and responsible solutions that values and respects landscapes, ecosystems, and communities.

Isabel JOAQUINA RAMOS - Assistant Professor, Department of Economics. CEFAGE-U.É.-Center for Advanced Studies in Management and Economics. University of Évora. Portugal. E-mail: mcpr@uevora.pt

Conceição REGO - Assistant Professor, Department of Economics. CEFAGE-U.É.-Center for Advanced Studies in Management and Economics. University of Évora. Portugal. E-mail: mcpr@uevora.pt

Maria da Conceição FREIRE - Assistant Professor, Department of Landscape, Environment and Planning. Researcher at CHAIA-Centre for Art History and Artistic Research. University of Évora. Portugal. E-mail: mcmf@uevora.pt

Lília FIDALGO - Head of the Territorial Planning and Strategy Division, Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission. Évora. Portugal E-mail: lilia.fidalgo@ccdr-a.gov.pt

Q01, Q15, R11, R52

TURNING KNOWLEDGE INTO CAPITAL: HOW ADULT EDUCATION AND RVCC UNLOCK COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RURAL TERRITORIES

This study examines how Adult Education and the Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competencies processes (RVCC) can be strategically mobilized to activate human capital, foster local entrepreneurship and promote sustainable development in Almodôvar, a lowdensity rural municipality in the Alentejo region. Based on a qualitative and exploratory approach, supported by semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, including learners and programme promoters, and analysed through thematic analysis, the research repositions competency recognition as a strategic resource rather than merely an educational outcome.The findings show that structured learning pathways and the recognition of experiential knowledge function as catalysts for individual empowerment, increased employability and strengthened entrepreneurial confidence, generating human capital with relevance for local economic dynamics. At the community level, these initiatives reinforce trust-based cooperation networks and stimulate civic engagement, both essential for territorially rooted entrepreneurial ecosystems. However, structural barriers persist, including mobility constraints, scheduling rigidity and resource scarcity, which limit expansion, sustainability and overall impact.

Susana Soares Pinheiro Vieira PESCADA - Assistant Professor, Universidade do Algarve, Portugal spescada@ualg.pt

Fernando José Calado e Silva Nunes TEIXEIRA - Associate Professor, Instituto Politécnico de Beja, Beja, Portugal fernando.teixeira@ipbeja.pt

António Manuel Felício Espírito SANTO - Instituto Politécnico de Beja, Beja, Portugal antonio.espiritosanto@ipbeja.pt

R11, R12, L26, J24, Q18

SAFETY CULTURE AND CONTINUING CARE

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, placed immense pressure on healthcare systems worldwide, including the National Health Service and the National Network for Integrated Continuing Care. In this context, the management of safety culture in healthcare has gained particular relevance, although it remains relatively underexplored in Portugal. This study aimed to analyse the importance of safety culture management within an Integrated Continuing Care Unit, identifying good practices, factors associated with organisational learning, and the occurrence of adverse events. It is a single case study of an exploratory and descriptive nature, based on document analysis of institutional standards and reports, interviews conducted at various management levels, and questionnaires administered to unit professionals. The results revealed consistency between the analysed documentation, the professionals’ perceptions, and the statements of those responsible for management. Overall, the institution demonstrates a proactive/sustainable level of maturity regarding safety culture. However, priority areas for improvement emerged, particularly in communication and training in occupational health and safety areas significantly affected by the pandemic and its impact on organisational structure and institutional priorities.

Susana PESCADA - Professor Assistant, Universidade do Algarve, Portugal, spescada@ualg.pt

Marta SERRARIO - Professor Assistant, Universidade do Algarve, Portugal mserrario@ualg.pt

Bernardete SEQUEIRA - Professor Assistant, Universidade do Algarve, Portugal, bsequeira@ualg.pt

Fernando TEIXEIRA - Professor Assistant, Instituto Politécnico de Beja, Portugal, fernando.teixeira@ipbeja.pt

Christos Ap. LADIAS - Professor, Regional Science Inquiry Journal, Greece ladias@rsijournal.eu

Filipos RUXHO - Professor Assistant, Departament of Business and Management, Universum International College, powered by Arizona State University, Kosovo, filip.ruxho@universum-ks.org (Corresponding Author)

O10, 047, C21, R11