Expenditure pattern analysis of cultural tourists at World Heritage Sites: an empirical evidence based on CHAID analysis

Nowadays, World Heritage Sites (WHS) have been facing new challenges, partially due to a different tourism consumption patterns. As it is highlighted in a considerable amount of studies, visits to these sites are almost justified by this prestigious classification and motivations are closely associated with their cultural aspects and quality of the overall environment (among others, Marujo et al, 2012). However, a diversity of tourists’ profiles have been underlined in the literature. Starting from the results obtained in a previous study about cultural tourists’ profile, conducted during the year 2009 in the city of Évora, Portugal, it is our intend to compare the results with a recent survey applied to the visitors of the same city. Recognition of Évora by UNESCO in 1986 as “World Heritage” has fostered not only the preservation of heritage but also the tourist promotion of the town. This study compares and examined tourists’ profile, regarding from the tourists’ expenditure patterns in Évora. A total of 450 surveys were distributed in 2009, and recently, in 2015, the same numbers of surveys were collected. Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) was applied to model consumer patterns of domestic and international visitors, based on socio demographic, trip characteristics, length of stay and the degree of satisfaction of pull factors. CHAID allowed find a population classification in groups that able to describe the dependent variable, average daily tourist expenditure. Results revealed different patterns of daily average expenditure amongst the years, 2009 and 2015, even if primarily results not revealed significant variations in socio-demographic and trip characteristics among the visitors’ core profile. Local authorities should be aware of this changing expensive behavior of cultural visitors and should formulate strategies accordingly. Policy and managerial recommendations are discussed.

Expenditure pattern analysis of cultural tourists at World Heritage Sites: empirical evidence based on CHAID analysis

This study investigates tourists’ expenditure patterns in the city of Évora, a world heritage site (WHS) classified by UNESCO. The use of chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) was chosen, allowing the identification of distinct segments based on expenditure patterns. Visitors’ expenditure patterns have proven to be a pertinent element for a broader understanding of visitors’ behaviour at cultural destinations. Visitors’ expenditure patterns were revealed to be increasing within years studied.

Toxicological assessment of novel green biocides for cultural heritage.

The damaging of buildings and monuments by biological contamination is a cause of serious concern. Biocides based on chemical toxic compounds have been used to mitigate this problem. However, in the past decade many of the most effective biocides have been banned due to their environmental and health hazards. Therefore, proper remediation actions for microbiologically contaminated historic materials based on environmentally safe solution is of vital importance. Bacillus species are emerging as a promising alternative for built heritage treatment. They produce a great diversity of secondary metabolites with biological activity, well known to possess antagonistic activities against many fungal pathogens. In order to evaluate the antifungal activity of the novel biocides produced in our laboratory by cultures of selected bacterial strains, liquid interaction assays using four biodeteriogenic fungi were achieved, revealing a nearly 100% of inhibitory capacity to fungal proliferation. To confirm their effective safe toxicological properties, in vivo tests using two different biological models were performed. The lyophilized supernatant of the Bacillus culture broth showed no lethality against brine shrimp and also no toxicological effects in Swiss mice through administration of acute dose of 5000 mg/kg by oral gavage. In fact, the bioactive compounds were no lethal at the tested dose unlike Preventol® (commercial biocide) that induced acute toxicity with 10 times minor concentration dose administrated in the same conditions. Therefore, the new bioactive compounds that suppress growth of biodeteriogenic fungi on historical artworks, presenting at the same time no toxicity against other living organisms, constituting an efficient and green safe solution for biodegradation/biodeterioration treatment of Cultural Heritage.

Alfama : Análise da paisagem urbana como expressão do património subunidade de estudo: Zona Ribeirinha, da Rua da Alfândega a Rua do Jardim do Tabaco

Esta investigação tem como contexto o bairro de Alfama, centrando-se em uma área específica situada na zona ribeirinha com início na Rua da Alfândega e se estendendo até a Rua do Jardim do Tabaco. É uma zona com relevante potencial turístico, mas com pouco dinamismo apesar dos vários atrativos que lá existem. O trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a paisagem urbana na subunidade de estudo citada acima de forma a descobrirmos através da leitura do espaço urbano uma identidade patrimonial para desta maneira propormos a sua valorização. Para facilitar o estudo dividimos a área em cinco trechos e através da observação in loco esboçarmos sua situação ao nível de morfologia urbana, das características espaciais, dos usos e do modo de apropriação do espaço pelas pessoas e pelas atividades, o estado de conservação do edificado, o mobiliário urbano e todas as características do seu entorno. Para a análise da paisagem fizemos um levantamento fotográfico digital e uma avaliação visual do percurso procurando enquadrar-se na leitura da paisagem estudada pelos autores Kevin Lynch e Gordon Cullen. O estudo também passa por uma avaliação dos seus aspectos significativos, ou seja, os registres de memórias que são pontos fortes da paisagem urbana. São aspectos que identificam o local e definem a sua legibilidade. Em paralelo elaboramos uma análise SWOT que contribuiu para entendermos o complexo de desafios que se colocam ao nosso universo de estudo e justificar o contributo desta dissertação através de propostas concretas de valorização. ABSTRACT; The context of this research is Alfama district, focusing on a specific area located on the waterfront starting at Alfândega Street and extending until Jardim do Tabaco Street. lt is an area with a relevant tourism potential, however with a small dynamic despite its many attractions. The research aim to study the urban landscape in the sub-unit mentioned above in order to uncover, through an urban reading, a patrimonial identity seeking its recovery. To facilitate the research, the area was divided into five sections and, by in loco observation, we outlined its position into a urban morphology rank, space characteristics, uses and appropriation of space by individuals and activities, conservation condition of the building, urban furniture and all the features of its surroundings. With regards the landscape study, was done a digital inventory and a visual evaluation of the route in quest of to fit it in the landscape studies by the authors Kevin Lynch and Gordon Cullen. The research also goes through an appraisal of its significant aspects, in other words, the memories records that are the strengths of the urban landscape. These are aspects that identify the location and define its readability. ln parallel we had developed a SWOT analysis which helped to understand the complex challenges in this universe of studies and justify the contribution of this thesis with concrete recovery proposals.

Combined Use of NMR, LC-ESIMS and Antifungal Tests for Rapid Detection of Bioactive Lipopeptides Produced by Bacillus

The science and technology interact with the art in several ways. Biotechnological coupled with analytical approaches can play an important role in protecting and preserving cultural heritage for future generations. Many microorganisms influenced by environmental conditions are the main responsible for biological contamination in built heritage. Biocides based on chemical compounds have been used to mitigate this problem. Thus, it is vitally important to develop proper remediation actions based on environmentally innocuous alternative. Bacillus specie is emerging as an optimistic alternative for built heritage treatment due to their capacity to produce secondary metabolites with antagonistic activities against many fungal pathogens. Therefore, the intent of this work was to access a rapid evaluation of antifungal potential of bioactive metabolites produced by Bacillus strains and simultaneously their characterization using spectroscopic (NMR) and chromatographic techniques (LCESI- MS). The high antifungal activity obtained for Bacillus sp. active compounds produced in this study confirms the great potential to suppress biodeteriogenic fungi growth on historical artworks. Additionally, the proposed methodology allowed to access bioactive metabolites produced without need of the laborious total previous isolation and could be used as a viable alternative to be employed for screening and production of new green biocides.

L'Espagne en Tunisie: projet de sauvegarde et de mise en valeur du Fort de "La Karraka" à La Goulette

La Tunisie a été toujours considérée comme terre de rencontre de plusieurs civilisations, compte tenu de son emplacement stratégique et de son histoire très enracinée. En effet, depuis l’Antiquité ce pays a connu l’installation ou le passage de plusieurs ethnies, qui ont profondément marqué les trois milles ans de son Histoire en dépit de la période ou de la nature de l’occupation et dont les traces constituent aujourd’hui le patrimoine de ce pays. Cet héritage matériel et immatériel semble être parmi les plus riche de la Méditerranée, pour ce, plusieurs villes historiques et sites archéologiques ont été inscrites sur la liste du patrimoine mondial depuis plusieurs décennies. Plusieurs composantes de ce patrimoine furent l’objet de certains projets d’inventaire et d’études, de sauvegarde et de valorisation, tels les sites archéologiques libyques, puniques ou romains, ou même les villes arabo-islamiques. Plusieurs musées, circuits culturels et Parcs archéologiques furent crées. D’autres projets de mise en valeur sont en cours, tels ceux des villes et des villages andalous ou ceux des villages montagneux et des Ksours du sud tunisien… alors que le patrimoine architectural espagnol en Tunisie n’a pas eu jusqu’à présent l’intérêt qu’il mérite malgré son importance et son authenticité et doit être aujourd’hui sauvegardé, mis en valeur et intégré dans la vie patrimoniale et le les circuits culturels et touristiques de la région. Le présent travail réalisé dans le cadre du mémoire de master traite la problématique de la sauvegarde et la mise en valeur d’un monument de type défensif comme cas d’étude. Il s’agit de la Karraka, forteresse bâtie à la ville de la Goulette réagissant à son milieu comme un organisme vivant avec toutes ses variations et déformations de volumes et surtout dans cette typologie dite défensive en se concentrant sur le rôle magistral de la Karraka. L’objectif final de ce projet est de mettre en valeur la validité d’une perception dynamique du patrimoine à travers l’étude de ce monument défensif dans son contexte historique et géographique en particulier et l’essai sur l’histoire de la Goulette; ABSTRACT: Tunisia has always been considered as the meeting earth of several civilizations regarding its strategic position on its deep rooted history. Since the antiquity this country was known the installation or the passage of several ethnics which deeply marqued the three Milles years of its history despite the difficult period of the French occupation its traces are still the country's heritage. This tangible and intangible heritage seems to be among the richest in the Mediterranean in several historic towns and archaeological sites have been listed on the World Heritageas well List for several decades. Many components of this heritage were the object of some inventory projects and studies, Backup and recovery, such the archaeological sites Libyan, Punic, Roman, and even the Arab Islamic cities. Many museums created cultural tours and archaeological parks, we have also other development projects are on the way, such as the Andalusian villages and those of mountain villages and southern Tunisia Ksours….. While the heritage of Spanish architecture in Tunisia has no interest despite its importance and authenticity it must be saved, and it must integrated into the life and heritage and the cultural tours of the region. This work carried out under the master thesis deals with the problem of preservation and development of a defensive type of monument as a case study “ Karraka” This fortress was built in the city of « La Goulette » reacting to his environment as a living organism with all its variations and volume deformations and especially in this so-called defensive typology by focusing on the role of magisterial Karraka. The final objective of this project is to highlight the validity of a dynamic perception of heritage through the study of the defensive monument in its historical and geographical context in particular and the article on the history of « La Goulette ».

Linking heritage: Yenya Punhi Festival a path to reinforce identity. The Katmandu experience

In today’s world heritage worldwide are at the risk not only because of natural process of decay and destruction but also by social change like urbanization, globalization and homogenization of cultures. With these emerging problems, the heritage conservation discourse also has reached to a new dimension including broader range of concepts like tangible heritage, intangible heritage, community participation, indigenous knowledge and many more. Even with the changing scenario in the international context about the heritage conservation, Nepal’s heritage conservation still focus on monuments, sites and buildings. In add to that the conservation practices are still top-down approach and community involvements are limited only in plans. While numerous intangible heritages like masking dances chariot processions, festivals and rituals, which form an integral part of the daily social life of people are still being continued and managed by the community and its people, without with out serious attention form the government. In Kathmandu Valley these heritages has been maintained with the traditional social association of people known as “Guthi” which has been continuing since 5th Century. Most of the tangible and intangible heritages have survived for centuries because of this unique association of people. Among the numerous festivals of the Kathmandu Valley, the festival Yenya Punhi was chosen as a case for this study, which is also a major festival of Kathmandu. This festival is the perfect example for the study as its celebrated in the city that is the most urbanized city of Nepal with the challenges of the every modern city like social changes and urbanization. Despite modern challenges Guthi still plays a major role in the heritage conservation in Kathmandu Valley. Now there are some interventions of the various formal institutions. So this study will be focusing on the management, continuity and problems of the festival along with Nepal’s position in terms of intangible heritage conservation. The problem of Kathmandu and Yenya Punhi festival is the problem of every country in the similar situation so with this case study it can be a good example for finding solutions of the similar problem not only the other festivals within Nepal but also elsewhere in the world; Resumo: Conexão de Património: Festival Yenya Punhi um caminho de fortalecimento de identidade: A experiência de Catmandu Nos dias de hoje, os patrimónios mundiais encontram-se em risco, não só devido ao processo natural de degradação e destruição, mas também pelas mudanças sociais, tais como a urbanização, globalização e homogeneização de culturas. Com o emergir destes problemas, o discurso de conservação de Património atingiu também uma nova dimensão, incluíndo uma área mais abrangente de conceitos, como por exemplo, património material, património imaterial, participação da comunidade, conhecimento indígena, entre outros. Mesmo com este cenário de mudança no contexto mundial de conservação do património, a preservação do património do Nepal continua a focar-se em monumentos, sítios e edíficios. A acrescentar a isso, as práticas de conservação ainda têm uma abordagem descendente e os envolvimentos da comunidade são limitados por planificações. Enquanto que os numerosos patrimónios imateriais como danças com máscaras, procissões, festivais e rituais, os quais formam uma parte integral da vida diária social das pessoas que as continuam e as gerem em comunidade, sem uma atenção séria por parte do governo. No Vale de Catmandu, este património tem sido mantido pela associação tradicional de pessoas conhecidas como ''Guthi'' desde o século V. A maior parte destes patrimónios materiais e imateriais tem sobrevivido durante séculos graças a esta associação única de pessoas. Entre os numerosos festivais do Vale de Catmandu, o festival Yenya Puhni foi escolhido para este estudo, pois é também um grande festival em Catmandu. Este festival é o exemplo perfeito para este estudo, pois é celebrado na cidade mais urbanizada do Nepal, com os desafios das cidades modernas tais como mudanças sociais e urbanização. Apesar dos desafios da modernização, os ''Guthi'' ainda desempenham um papel importante na preservação do património do Vale de Catmandu. Agora, existem algumas intervenções de várias instituições formais Então, este estudo irá focar-se na gestão, continuidade e problemas do festival, juntamente com a posição do Nepal em termos de conservação de património imaterial. O problema de Catmandu e do festival Yenya Punhi é o problema de todos os países em situação semelhante então, este estudo pode ser um bom exemplo para encontrar soluções de problemas parecidos, não só em outros festivais no Nepal mas também para qualquer parte do mundo.