Maria João Ferreira CustódioView profile
Adjunct Professor
Maria João Ferreira Custódio is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Algarve's School of Management, Hospitality and Tourism and Integrated Researcher at CiTUR – Research, Development and Innovation Centre in Tourism. She holds dual doctoral degrees: a PhD in Management (Marketing specialization) from ISCTE-University Institute of Lisbon (2018) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Management from University of Exeter Business School (2015). Her academic foundation includes a Master's in Tourism Management and Development and bachelor's degrees in Marketing and Management from the University of Algarve. Her research explores interdisciplinary themes at the intersection of tourism, marketing, and sustainability. Primary interests include: Destination competitiveness and image formation Sustainable tourism policies and resident perceptions Economic impacts of sport and nautical tourism Place marketing and territorial development Quality-of-life studies in tourism contexts Digital marketing applications in tourism She maintains particular expertise in Mediterranean tourism dynamics and event impact assessment. Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on destination management frameworks, with evolving emphasis on sustainability metrics and resident-centric approaches. Recent works explore maritime connectivity, award-based sustainability governance, and pandemic-era tourism adaptations, demonstrating applied research with policy implications. Significant scientific recognition includes: Algarve Maximus 2008: 1st Prize (Research/Innovation) ITC International Tourism Congress 2007: 1st Prize 4 European research grants for advanced methodology training 6 awards/honors spanning innovation and academic excellence She has supervised 4 master's students in tourism and marketing, and leads substantial research initiatives as Principal Investigator (3 projects) and Co-PI (1 project). Her €2M+ project portfolio includes IMPACTUR-ALGARVE (tourism competitiveness platform) and socioeconomic assessments for major events like WRC Rally Portugal and Formula 1 Grand Prix. At CiTUR research center, she contributes to tourism innovation projects and coordinates research on nautical tourism sustainability. She collaborates with municipalities, tourism boards, and international partners to translate academic insights into destination management frameworks.






