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Discovering the Dynamics and Impact of Motorcycle Tourism: Insights into Rural Events, Cultural Interaction, and Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Anabela Monteiro

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology, Universidade Europeia, Campus Quinta do Bom Nome, Estrada da Correia, 53, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal
    Centre for Research, Development and Innovation in Tourism (CiTUR), Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 4-Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, 2520-641 Peniche, Portugal
    EUDOXIA RESEARCH CENTRE-ERC—Santi Villa, 8 A, near Radisson Blu Hotel, B Block, Tetelia, Guwahati 781033, Assam, India
    EUDOXIA RESEARCH CENTRE-ERU–New Castle, City of Newark, 256, Chapman Road STE 105-4, Newark, NJ 19702, USA)

  • Sofia Lopes

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology, Universidade Europeia, Campus Quinta do Bom Nome, Estrada da Correia, 53, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal
    CETRAD-Europeia, Campus Quinta do Bom Nome, Estrada da Correia, 53, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Manuel Do Carmo

    (IADE—Faculty of Design, Technology and Communication, Universidade Europeia, Rua Adão Manuel Ramos Barata 3, Moscavide, 1886-502 Lisboa, Portugal
    CINAMIL/Military Academy, Av. Conde Castro Guimarães, 2720-113 Amadora, Portugal
    CIMA/IIFA, University of Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal)

Abstract

This study explores the dynamics of motorcycle tourism in rural areas and its potential contribution to sustainable and regenerative development. A bibliometric analysis of management-related publications was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection, focusing on topics such as tourism, motivation, rurality, and motorcycling. VOSviewer software (version 1.6.20) was employed to support this analysis. Based on the literature, a theoretical framework was developed, leading to four research hypotheses that aimed to empirically examine the relationships between cultural motivation, community interaction, type of accommodation, event location, and tourist behaviour. To test these hypotheses, structured questionnaires were distributed in person during rural motorcycling events in Portugal, yielding a valid sample of 233 respondents. The data were analysed using SPSS 28 software via statistical methods to reduce dimensionality and identify latent structures, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. The results confirmed all four hypotheses, highlighting the importance of cultural motivation for return intentions, community interaction for perceived authenticity, accommodation type for destination recommendations, and event location for overall satisfaction. The study also identifies gender-related differences and reinforces the value of immersive, co-created experiences in enhancing the competitiveness of rural destinations. This theoretical contribution supports the advancement of motorcycle tourism as a sustainable niche while offering practical guidance for inclusive and regenerative tourism planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Anabela Monteiro & Sofia Lopes & Manuel Do Carmo, 2025. "Discovering the Dynamics and Impact of Motorcycle Tourism: Insights into Rural Events, Cultural Interaction, and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5733-:d:1684630
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    References listed on IDEAS

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