This paper analyses the political factors related to the decision-making process in sports associations in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Portugal. Documentary analysis, observation of board meetings and qualitative interviewing of the presidents of the associations' boards were employed. From an external perspective, the findings highlight the sport policy of the Madeira government as the most significant factor determining the strategies of the associations, followed by the interests of the affiliated clubs, the accumulation of posts by directors and the power over the regulations and fixtures held by the national federation of each sport. From an internal perspective, the establishment of alliances and the knowledge and experience of the directors and sport co-ordinators are determinants of decision making and governance of these associations.

This study determined the consumer’s profile in winter sports, using their degree of satisfaction with services provided by a ski resort. A questionnaire was administered to 229 tourists/visitors and analyzed their satisfaction according to five factors: facilities and equipment; attributes of the slopes; resort services; restaurants, accommodation and social activities; and also about the access to the resort. Determination between levels of satisfaction indicated by different consumer segments was performed using a cluster analysis. The clusters identified were: partially satisfied, dissatisfied, dissatisfied with everything, satisfied with everything. In relation to gender, no significant differences were identified in any cluster. With regard to experience to visited other ski resorts, significant differences were found between tourists/visitors which have already done, comparing with the individuals who never been in a similar context. It was found that only 5.2% of consumers who have had similar experiences with other ski resorts were satisfied with all services provided. The results of this study enable to the managers identify the attributes by which tourists/visitors have a higher level of satisfaction/dissatisfaction and foremost identify the valences which can be subject to some kind of improvement. This approach enables the adaptation of services according the preferences and expectations of tourists/visitors, with the prospect of incrementing consumer loyalty.

ResumoO objetivo do estudo foi verificar a relação entre a prática desportiva e o sucesso escolar de jovens que frequentavam o ensino secundário. Foram inquiridos por meio de um questionário anônimo 490 moças (59%) e 341 rapazes (41%) da Madeira, Portugal, isto é, 9,5% do universo. Os resultados revelam que as moças têm maior sucesso escolar do que os rapazes e as que praticam desporto têm taxas de retenção significativamente inferiores às dos rapazes, particularmente no setor federado. O sucesso escolar dos jovens que praticam desporto na escola não é diferente daqueles que praticam no setor federado. As modalidades mais praticadas pelos alunos foram o futebol, o basquetebol e o voleibol, porém não se verificou que a modalidade estivesse associada ao sucesso escolar.AbstractThe objective of the study was to identify the relationship between sport and academic success of young attending secondary school. A sample of 831 (9.5%) students were surveyed through a questionnaire, 490 girls (59%) and 341 boys (41%) of Madeira, Portugal. In general, the results show that girls have a higher academic achievement than boys. Female athletes have school failure rates significantly lower than boys, particularly at the federated sector. The academic success of young that play sports in school sector is no different from students who play sports in federated sector. The sports most practiced by young students were football, basketball and volleyball. However, the sport was not a variable that was associated with the change in rates of academic success of students

Physical activities organised in nature have earned more commitment from tourists who intend to actively visit natural and authentic environments. This paper analyses the profile and the perceptions of active tourists who experienced canyoning and levada walking in the mountains of Madeira Island. The study uses a quantitative methodology analysis, based on an anonymous questionnaire designed for 160 levada walker tourists and 130 canyoning tourists. Differences were found between the two groups in terms of their profile and assessment of the two activities. The levada walking profile is the one of older, but more active tourists who stay on the island more than 6 days and intend to experience unique and memorable activities related to waterways, mountain trails and cultural landscapes in a sense of freedom and well-being that nature provides. The canyoning profile is the one of younger tourists, more male than female, who are less active, travelling by cruise, and is with an emphasis on the challenges and natural barriers afforded by the steep and unpredictable characteristics of canyons (hedonism). The findings recommend segmentation of the tourists and a strategy for tourism destinations that highlight culture, endemic forest, authentic landscapes and the hospitality of local people in active tourism services.