Institutes

Nova SBE Westmont Institute of Tourism & Hospitality

Driving Change Through Knowledge: Making Tourism Sustainably Better

At the Westmont Institute, our research explores tourism as a powerful force operating across economic, social, and ecological systems—capable of both driving and addressing global challenges. While tourism has contributed to climate change, ecological degradation, and cultural erosion, the industry's growing shift toward sustainability marks an important step forward. Yet, many of these efforts remain surface-level. Our work goes further, embracing regenerative tourism—a transformative approach that not only minimizes harm but actively restores local ecosystems, cultures, and communities. 

Our Published Papers

  • Recipient of this year’s Charles R. Goeldner Article of Excellence Award  In Journal of Travel Research (ABS4) as their top manuscript in 2024. 

Evaluating the impact of sustainability indicator schemes on destination management is complex. Using a systems thinking approach, we engaged 19 experts through participatory workshops to map how these schemes influence tourism systems. Our findings reveal that traditional, linear expectations overlook the nuanced dynamics at play. Rather than direct policy change, the real value lies in these schemes’ ability to foster dialogue, learning, network-building, and shifts in stakeholder perspectives—ultimately enabling deeper systems change. 

Published in Stanford Social Innovation Review 

A more ambitious model of impact investing—centered on systems change—is gaining momentum, emphasizing the need for more holistic measurement and management tools to select, monitor, and manage investments. 

Daniela Afonso, Mariana Cabral, Ana Pimenta, and Ricardo Zozimo outline a monitoring and learning framework deployed by Blink C.V., an international single-family office focused on accelerating impact-driven enterprises in sustainable agriculture and regenerative tourism, to help impact investors understand the systemic stance of their portfolios through five dimensions: 
 
1. Intentionality to implement a systemic approach 
2. Organizational readiness 
3. Collaborative ecosystem 
4. Solution scalability 
5. Transformative performance and progress 

Read Article

The connections between the tourism sector and sustainability are broader and more diverse than a quick analysis might assume. This Whitepaper is the result of the most recent Leading Tourism Council. The Nova SBE Westmont Institute of Tourism & Hospitality invited 21 senior representatives of the tourism sector, linked to government entities, companies and business associations, to be discussed, head-on and practice, the challenges associated with sustainability, with a view to identifying viable instruments and practical solutions to face them. Under the coordination of Rodrigo Tavares, Invited Full Professor at Nova SBE and Sérgio Guerreiro, Senior Director for Strategy & Knowledge Management at Turismo de Portugal. 

Read the Paper (in portuguese only)

Our Current Projects

Supported by the Portuguese Science & Technology Foundation, this is a 18months research project focused on reconceptualizing Regenerative Tourism and its Potential for Portugal. The aim of the Exploratory fund is to explore ideas and concepts that are ground-breaking and highly original. Our Post-doc Teresa Mannebach is working together with Graham Miller. 

In collaboration with Porto Business School and AIP Foundation, this project focuses on developing an impact evaluation study focused on the future of work in the tourism sector. 

Improving African countries' competitiveness in Tourism through data, knowledge, and community engagement.

Maximizing the role of tourism as an economic and human development tool in Africa and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by:

  • Supporting Tourism as one of the primary industries in Africa, driving growth and job creation
  • Promoting sustainable policies and practices by improving information and monitoring
  • Building a strong stakeholder network of companies, public tourism organizations, research institutions, and startups
Knowledge

Knowledge

Produce impactful research and knowledge to improve the capacity of all stakeholders to apply data-driven decision-making.

Customized data solutions

Customized data solutions

Customized data solutions such as data and insights about Tourism in Africa and tools to assess the achievement of the SDGs within the African Tourism industry.

Training

Training

Training and open capacity building in data-related subjects through educational programs co-created with local communities.