GONÇALVES, Susana, "A SWOT Studie on the Analysis of Quinta da Regaleira Sustainability Strategy"

A SWOT Studie on the Analysis of Quinta da Regaleira Sustainability Strategy  

By Susana Gonçalves

Strengths 

What does the organisation do well? 

Quinta da Regaleira, under the leadership of Cultursintra Foundation is a business model that allows tourist to visit a recreation space that features astonishing monuments with a great architectonic value, beautiful and plentiful garden, providing a cultural environment, supporting theatrical plays, music events, educational space and multicultural performances and lectures.
It also has, included in the space, a cat shelter, a bat habitat, a duck pound and, throughout the year, it receives several migrating bird species that embellish and further enriches the space itself.

What are the main ‘sustainability assets’ of the organisation? 

It has a steady flow of visitors that tend to grow each year.
Flora includes 1.600 botanic species, including several arboreal native and exotic species, that reduce carbon foot print in a considerable way.
Recently a organic farm project and compost program was put in place to provide educational moments for young audience.

Weaknesses: 

What could the organisation improve on? 

Quinta da Regaleira should improve it's sustainable measures, like water and power savings.

Also merchandising value, by recognizing a mainstream demand on products not available, as well as demographics of the audience.
It should diverse their offering to different sorts of experience like food tasting, adventure package, combine tickets, etc. 

Patrimony protection (architectural and natural) is faulty and needs to be reinforce, either by the presence of staff or structural restrictions. Also legal liability on safety matter, being Quinta da Regaleira a place prone to injures hazards, should be addressed and prevented.  

What resources does the organisation lack to improve its sustainability? 

A coordinated approach to environmental  protection either of architectonic structures, space cleanliness and recycle space available to the public, as well as staff training to reduce waste, power and water saving. Also a newsletter to the employees, with appropriated information instead of paper hand given paper.

Some small technological improvements like a water reducer, power timer or major technological improvements like photovoltaic solar panels or proper insulation, would be recommended.

Opportunities:

What external factors might help the organisation to improve its sustainability?

A global awareness about sustainability issues are, each day, growing in the public's eye, and they tend to preconceive in a better light organizations that are concern with environmental, equitable and sustainable supported issues.
In an economic point of view, with the rising prices of resources, especial water and power, every measure taken to prevent water and electrical power loss, for example, or to increase it's efficiency it's a step towards money saving and profit.
There should be encourage continuous formation of skilled employees with courses that might include several topics from learning new language skills, recognition of bird species, first aid courses, forest protection, staff cooperation, conflict resolutions, benefits of organic compost, etc.

Are there obvious things that the organisation should be doing that it isn’t?

Encourage water and electrical savings.

Reduce paper usage and waste.

Promote it's space as an healthy environment.
Promoting local crafts and gastronomy.

Promote benefits or price reductions for visitors with disability's or unemployed's.

Recognize the volume of visitors from an unexpected demographic area (Russia) as well as others European languages like French or German that, due to globalization, have been forgotten, especially in the translation of reading material that is now concentrated in only in three languages: Portuguese; Spanish; and English.

Improve further the diversity of  shows, events, or programs involving, if needed, partnerships with other business and the community. 

Threats: 

Where and what are the environmental challenges facing the organisation? 

The major challenge is keep expanding within equitable social values, environmental concern and economic sustainability.
The company faces heavy competition by other companies and monuments, better divulge, and needs to advertise and reinforce its presence in foreign travel agencies and market. 

Also it might take in attention the threat of wildfires in the area, promoting not restrictions but awareness of fire dangers, as well as the benefits of preservation of the natural environment.

Another concern might be the structural expansion limitations due to the framing of the space in a world heritage area.

Are there particular threats facing the organisation’s staff ?

The lack of communication and common goal sense between employers and staff  might be detrimental to the organization, as well as the lack of possibility in career progression, might upset the good function and positive outcome of relations.