Echoes of Heritage in Tourism: the role of Fado in enhancing Coimbra's destination attractiveness

Abstract

"Fado ao Centro" is a fado house located in the historical heart of Coimbra, where the unique expression of Coimbra's Fado, a distinctive form of traditional Portuguese music, is preserved and promoted daily. This study examines the relationship between tourist motivations, satisfaction, and destination loyalty in the context of visitors attending fado performances at this venue. An integrated model was employed to understand the variables influencing visitors' motivation, satisfaction, and future intentions. An online questionnaire was developed, collecting 124 valid responses following the fado performances. The questionnaire measured push and pull motivations, satisfaction, and loyalty. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to validate the model and test the hypotheses. The analysis revealed that pull motivation positively influences satisfaction and loyalty, while satisfaction has a positive influence on loyalty. On the other hand, push motivation could not be evaluated as it had to be removed to adjust the model. This study provides valuable insights for cultural destination management, highlighting the importance of understanding visitor motivations to enhance satisfaction and promote destination loyalty. Additionally, it offers practical implications for the management of such events and for policymakers in the cultural and tourism sectors in Coimbra.