Creative and Rural Tourism, Public Policies and Land Use Changes: A Multi-Method Approach towards Regional Sustainable Development in Azores Islands

A multi-method approach reveals that land-use changes in the Azores Islands, particularly on Pico Island's vineyard landscapereflect the impact of regional public policies. The study also demonstrates that rural and creative tourism can serve as a catalyst for sustainable development in island territories. By analyzing trends and dynamics in land use alongside innovative tourism models, researchers found evidence supporting the potential of new tourism business forms to inform and enhance regional policy-making. This suggests a promising pathway for balancing conservation with economic growth in vulnerable ecosystems.

Couto, G., Castanho, R. A., & Santos, C. (2023). Creative and Rural Tourism, Public Policies and Land Use Changes: A Multi-Method Approach towards Regional Sustainable Development in Azores Islands. Sustainability, 15(6), 5152. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065152