The evolution of the bubbly lifestyle: Assessing the potential in 5-star hotels in the Algarve

Autores/as

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57883/thij37(1)2025.41418

Palabras clave:

Bubbly Lifestyle, hospitality, hospitalitydifferentiation, food heritage, gastronomic tourism

Resumen

This article proposes and validates the Bubbly Lifestyle concept as a differentiation strategy in five-star hospitality, using the Algarve region as an empirical sample. Grounded in a critical literature review on gastronomic tourism, differentiation, sustainability and sensory innovation - and informed by global phenomena such as “sushification” and gastrophysics - a conceptual model was developed along five strategic dimensions. To assess the validity and applicability of the concept, the Real-Time Delphi method was employed, applying a structured questionnaire to a panel of specialists, including operational, managerial, and marketing professionals from five-star hotels. The quantitative and qualitative analysis revealed high levels of consensus across all dimensions, particularly in the areas of cultural authenticity, innovation, and the multisensory guest experience as a tool for loyalty. All research hypotheses were confirmed, demonstrating the conceptual robustness and practical relevance of the Bubbly Lifestyle in contemporary luxury hospitality. The study concludes with practical implications for hotel management, highlighting the importance of integrating local products, customizing service, and investing in continuous staff training. Recommendations for future research are also presented, particularly the empirical validation of guest perceptions and the exploration of regional food heritage through the analytical lens of the Bubbly Lifestyle.

Biografía del autor/a

André Dias, Universidade de Coimbra, Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar

André Carrasquinho Dias é doutorando em Patrimónios Alimentares: Culturas e Identidades na Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Coimbra. Licenciado em Gestão de Empresas e mestre em Direção e Gestão Hoteleira pela Universidade do Algarve, é também formador nas áreas de turismo, alojamento local e bartending na Campus Training – Northius. É CEO da Bela Luísa Beach House e consultor na BLS | GastroLab, um projeto de investigação aplicada que cruza património alimentar, inovação sensorial e desenvolvimento territorial. A sua investigação foca-se na maridagem de finger food e bebidas carbonatadas como prática identitária e estratégica no turismo gastronómico contemporâneo.

Carimo Rassal, Universidade do Algarve, Escola Superior de Gestão, Hotelaria e Turismo

Carimo Rassal currently holds a Visiting Adjunct Professor position at the University of Algarve, enriching the academic community with his knowledge and experience. With a research affiliation at CIDEHUS - Interdisciplinary Center for History, Cultures, and Societies of the University of Évora, he actively collaborates in pursuing academic excellence. Boasting over 30 years of experience in the field, he is regularly sought after as an expert consultant for institutional and business projects nationally and internationally. His key areas of expertise include strategic consulting, training, and human resources development within the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Manuel Serra, Universidade do Algarve, Escola Superior de Gestão, Hotelaria e Turismo

Manuel José Serra da Fonseca holds a PhD in Information Sciences and has a professional background in marketing communications and higher education. He is currently an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (Portugal) and serves as the Coordinator of the Digital Marketing Master's program at its Business School (ESCE-IPVC). As a researcher at UNIAG (Applied Management Research Unit) since 2014, he has contributed to multiple R&D projects and supervised numerous undergraduate and master's dissertations in Communication and Business Sciences. His academic work includes publications in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings, along with active participation in national and international scientific conferences. He also collaborates as a reviewer for various academic journals. His research focuses on Social Sciences, particularly in Communication and Marketing Sciences. Key topics in his scientific production include attitude towards advertising and communication skills, consumer behavior, integrated marketing communication, social marketing, digital marketing, and organizational communication.

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Publicado

2025-11-11

Cómo citar

Dias, A., Rassal, C., & Serra, M. (2025). The evolution of the bubbly lifestyle: Assessing the potential in 5-star hotels in the Algarve. Tourism and Hospitality International Journal , 25(1), 28–49. https://doi.org/10.57883/thij37(1)2025.41418

Número

Vol. 25 Núm. 1 (2025): Vol. 25 No. 1 (2025): November 2025 [37th Edition]

Sección

Artículos

Licencia

Derechos de autor 2025 André Dias, Carimo Rassal, Manuel Serra

Creative Commons License

Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución 4.0.

Creative Commons License

Este trabalho encontra-se publicado com a Licença Internacional Creative Commons Atribuição 4.0.