Abstract

The unprecedented public health crisis experienced during the recent global COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has originated a catastrophic economic crisis for the entire globe. This crisis has been particularly harmful to the tourism industry and, more specifically, to the events’ subsector. This study aims to understand the main measures that have been implemented by the Portuguese public sector to assist companies which specialize in the organization of events. In addition, the study seeks to empirically understand the strategies and solutions that, according to the industry’s players, should be implemented in future crisis scenarios. The sample consisted of representatives of 165 companies belonging to the subsector of cultural and sports events, corporate events, and tourist animation. The data was collected during the month of April 2020 by means of a questionnaire prepared by the Portuguese Association of Congress Organizers, Tourism Animation and Events (APECATE). The adopted methodology was anchored in the mixed methods paradigm. Through a quantitative approach, the frequencies of the variables under study – sector of activity, support measures by the public sector, suggestions of additional measures – were analyzed. Afterwards, the suggestions referred by the participants were codified and analyzed qualitatively. The results of this research reveal that 72.1% of surveyed companies have used some kind public sector assistance mechanisms, with layoff being the most widely selected initiative by respondents. As actions to be implemented in a future crisis scenario, surveyed companies highlight, for instance, support to the managers of companies specialized in organizing events, as well as financial support to these companies by means of non-repayable loans.

摘要

在最近的全球 COVID-19 大流行爆发期间经历的前所未有的公共卫生危机引发了全球灾难性的经济危机。这场危机对旅游业特别有害，更具体地说，对活动的子部门有害。本研究旨在了解葡萄牙公共部门为协助专门组织活动的公司而实施的主要措施。此外，该研究旨在从经验上了解行业参与者认为应在未来危机情景中实施的策略和解决方案。样本包括165家公司的代表，这些公司属于文化体育赛事、企业活动和旅游动漫子行业。数据是在 2020 年 4 月期间通过葡萄牙会议组织者、旅游动画和活动协会 (APECATE) 准备的问卷收集的。所采用的方法论以混合方法范式为基础。通过定量方法，对所研究变量的频率——活动部门、公共部门的支持措施、额外措施的建议——进行了分析。随后，对参与者提出的建议进行了整理和定性分析。这项研究的结果显示，72.1% 的受访公司使用了某种公共部门的援助机制，其中裁员是受访者选择最多的举措。作为在未来危机情景中要实施的行动，被调查的公司强调，例如，