Document 1824
 DOCN  M94A1824
 TI    AIDS and tourism in a sun, sand and sea tourist destination. The
       Portuguese case.
 DT    9412
 AU    Nossa P; Malta P; Cruz M; Correia J
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):443 (abstract no. PD0381). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370751
 AB    OBJ: As travel and tourism become the world's largest industry and a
       major contributor to global economic development, this paper draws
       attention to possibles relationships between this phenomena and
       worldwide spread of AIDS, with the portuguese case study. METH:
       Statistic data published by WTO (World Tourism Organization), Portuguese
       Bureau of Tourism and Portuguese Bureau Against Aids have been object of
       statistic research in order to identify spatial, economic, social and
       cultural patterns between both phenomena. RES: Tourism in Portugal has
       been transformed into a source of income of primary significance for the
       country. It makes up 5.9% of the GDP, representing 5% of the total work
       force and 10% of the direct foreigner investment. The annual gross
       earnings from tourism reached an overall figure of PTE 505.9 billion in
       1990, which were equivalent to 41% of the deficit of the
       balance-of-payments (1990). Factors contributing to the emergency of
       tourism as a very significant economic and social force in Portugal
       include the existence of a sunny climate and sandy beaches, proximity to
       the growing markets of Western Europe, the relative cheapness of
       Portugal as a destination and the development of a low-cost package
       holidays. In this context, the importance of tourism in Portugal is
       fundamentally connected with the product sun, sand and sea and sex.
       Although, the touristic image of Portugal is not identified as an
       important sex-tourism destination, the dependence of the product sun,
       sand and sea--which is the base of decision of most tourists who select
       Portugal as destination--and its relationship with the segment of
       sex-tourism and the sudden appearance and worldwide spread of AIDS
       raises complex and virtually ignored problems for the tourist industry.
       In fact, the latest data available allows us to percept that AIDS in
       Portugal have been increasing at a relatively fast rate, principally
       since the beginning of 90's, representing now +/- 15.000 infected
       people, covering specially the [24-30] age groups and showing a clear
       regional pattern of distribution. CONCL: These problems are considered
       in the case study of Portugal and particular attention is paid to the
       possible relationship between the high degree of regional polarization
       of the portuguese tourist market and the spatial patterns of AIDS
       distribution. Specific hypotheses relating to these expected spatial
       regularities were formulated the majority of which were confirmed.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*TRANSMISSION  Bathing
       Beaches  Human  Portugal/EPIDEMIOLOGY  *Travel  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).