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- The role of social tourism in the satisfaction of elderly customers: The case of the Volto Já ProjectPublication . Mendonça, Eva; Leal, Susana; Bernardes De Oliveira, Sandra MargaridaPurpose: This research seeks to capture the perceived value given by the elderly to participation in social tourism programmes, and the link between the social tourism experience and their satisfaction as customers of social welfare services. It aims to: 1) study the interviewees’ perceptions of the specificities of the programmes; and 2) understand the relationship between the participation in social tourism activities and elderly customers’ satisfaction. Method: To this end, we used the Volto Já Project as the main source of information since it is a research project that implements a social business model through a network of Social Economy institutions where it promotes a senior exchange programme. Data is collected on the feedback from participants in the Volto Já Project’s social tourism activities. The study follows a qualitative design with data collected in semi-structured interviews. The sample is composed of 23 elderly people (14 females, 9 males, average age of 79). Content analysis procedures were used to examine the interviews. Findings: There is some evidence that participation in social tourism activities increases the users’ satisfaction with the organization as welfare service customers, although this satisfaction depends on corporate image. On the other hand, the satisfaction of participants in the Volta Já project was also influenced by factors other than this experience. Originality/value: This study allowed us to evaluate the experience of the social tourism programme and its effects on customers’ satisfaction with the organisation. The insights provided by this feedback bring novel topics to this evaluation, enriching both the current work and future studies.
- Volto Já – Senior Exchange Program: From Idea to ImplementationPublication . Bernardes De Oliveira, Sandra Margarida; Leal, Susana; Vivas, C.; Nascimento, João António Marujo do; Barradas, Luís Cláudio; São João, Ricardo; Ferreira, Maria Regina; Passarinho, Aldo; Rodrigues, Ana Isabel; Amaral, Marta Isabel Casteleiro; Santos, CristinaPurpose: The general aim of Volto Já was the operationalisation of a Social Senior Exchange Programme between Social Economy Organisations that promotes cultural, touristic, and artistic experiences. Volto Já developed a set of actions with a direct impact on seniors’ active ageing and social inclusion. The programme was developed between August 24, 2018 and February 23, 2021. This paper aims to present the main outputs of the programme. Method: The Volto Já is an applied project. To test it, a proof of concept was developed with the participation of six Social Economy Organisations and 24 elderly people. Findings: The main outputs of Volto Já were: (a) a social tourism business model in the Social Economy sector, for elderly people, notably those institutionalised in senior citizens’ homes or nursing homes; (b) the implementation of a business model through a network of Social Economy Organisations that guarantees the exchange of services in the Alentejo region; (c) the stimulation of active ageing and preventing social exclusion, and endorsing the social inclusion of the elderly in the Alentejo region; (d) the implementation of an ICT platform and a mobile application to manage the registration of Social Economy Organisations, which presents the offers of available exchange services, provides access to organisations and experiences in the senior social tourism area, specifically designed for Social Economy Organisations and their users; (e) the improvement of the quality of life of elderly people (e.g., well-being, life satisfaction, happiness, etc.). Originality/value: A community network was created to effectively address and prevent social exclusion and promote senior mobility, using social tourism and recreational activities as a facilitator. The proof of concept enabled the testing of the social business model and the acquisition of new insights into the process associated with senior exchanges.
- Designing and evaluating tourism experiences in senior mobility:an application of the OEC frameworkPublication . Amaral, Marta; Rodrigues, Ana Isabel; Diniz, Alice; Bernardes De Oliveira, Sandra Margarida; Leal, SusanaThis research was developed in the frame of the VOLTO JÁ Project, which aims to implement a senior social exchange program in Portugal, among social economy organizations to promote tourism experiences for the elderly. The main goal of the research is to present a three-stage model of designing and evaluating tourism experiences in senior mobility, named as the OEC Model. This model was established based on a set of data collection instruments, which were chosen according to the goals of each stage of the process, in the context of the VOLTO JÁ Project. The results of stage one and three of the model considered as a more integrated approach on designing and evaluating senior tourism experiences are presented. The findings highlight the importance of a pre-stage in what concerns organizing the tourism experience (supply perspective); and a post-stage assessing senior´s perceptions after the experience (demand perspective).