Sousa, UreaCastanho, Rui AlexandreCarvalho, C LiaPımentel, PedroCouto, GualterBatısta, Maria Da Graça2023-04-102023-04-1020211307-671Xhttp://doi.org/10.18678/dtfd.869791https://search.trdizin.gov.tr/yayin/detay/422375https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12684/11440Aim: After a contagious disease outbreak, as is the case of severe acute respiratory syndromecoronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), societal dynamics shift on an unconventional level. In the lackof a vaccine, social distancing and massive lockdowns are acquired as the most effectivestrategies to contain this new virus. In this regard, the present study was carried out todetermine the influence of SARS-CoV-2 over the Azores territory activities as tourism andconsequent regional development impacts.Material and Methods: Therefore, the study assessed the decision-makers, the public, andtourists' perceptions regarding this disease outbreak by applying testing tools as questionnaires.This study used a sample of 700 participants. The questionnaires were designed, consideringthe necessity to carry out online interviews, and were implemented in the Spring months of2020. After the data from the surveys were gathered, analytical methods and tools were used.Results: The research recognized that during an infectious disease outbreak, people prioritizedspending their vacations at the holiday residence of family or friends (20%) instead of touristicresorts (hotels or rented apartments or houses). Also, the study verified a considerable increasein selecting rural tourism accommodations. Besides, more than half of the study participantsconsidered that the “Clean and Safe” stamp (attributed by the Portuguese Health Authorities)is crucial when choosing accommodation and restaurants (75.8%) as well as for choosing thedestination to visit (50.5%).Conclusion: The study assumes enormous consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 crisis at multilevels, being the tourism activity the most affected in this ultra-peripheral region.en10.18678/dtfd.869791info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessArticle23S1106112422375