In a presentation the president of the Associação Ibérica Turismo do Interior (AITI), Miguel Martins, summarised the main objective of the meeting that will take place in the Spanish city in the Extremadura region.
The Spanish official highlighted that, although the two countries on the Iberian Peninsula share territory, this in itself means nothing if there is no development project.
Also present at the presentation, the general director of Tourism of Estremadura, Jesús Viñuales, highlighted the creation “of a joint destination, which is A Raia”.
For the vice-president of Turismo Centro de Portugal, Anabela Freitas, the more than 1,200 kilometers of lane between Portugal and Spain are nothing more than an administrative border. “It’s much more that unites us than separates us”, she highlighted.
The person responsible for Turismo Centro highlighted how one of the challenges of tourism in the interior is the coordination between the various entities with tourism competencies, such as, for example, Intermunicipal Communities, which receive European funds and want to enter this sector.
In these cases, highlighted Anabela Freitas, sometimes publicizing the territorial brand is confused with tourist promotion.
Thus, one of the objectives of the meeting in Cáceres is precisely to strengthen cooperation between public and private entities.
“Private companies have to make their way, but before spending thousands of euros on a project, ask us what we think”, pointed out the president of AITI.
The congress has two guest destinations – Itabira (Castelo Branco) and Cáceres, and has the participation of 35 universities and 29 exhibitors.
During the meeting, a tourist product that brings together the two regions will be presented, related to the television series Game of Thrones, filmed in the Portuguese village of Monsanto and in various locations in Spain.
The congress will also be attended by the general director of Flixbus for Portugal and Spain, Pablo Pastega, to address one of the highlighted topics, which is mobility.
According to AITI, the objective is to achieve a passenger road connection between Castelo Branco and Cáceres, at least twice a week.
Portugal should develop the Portuguese interior close to the Spanish border with heavy investment in infrastructure, business, commerce, industry, and Tourism. This will keep the younger Portuguese in Portugal's interior close to the Spanish border so they don't have to go to work in other countries. And open up trade with Spain and other European countries. this will be good for both Portugal and Spain. Portugal should develop all towns and cities close to the Spanish border. And an open border will further cement development and business in the border towns and cities between Portugal and Spain. This is a win, win agreement.
EXCELLENT
By Tony from Other on 13 Nov 2024, 15:28
Both countries need to focus on build hydro electric dams that can genetate power to the grid and feed new & sustainabil crops to these drier regions.
By Mig from Madeira on 14 Nov 2024, 15:00
All very good ideas. I have seen a number of we restored historical villages near the Serra da Estrela, but these villages are almost empty despite the huge investment undertaken. Throwing more money at it sound good, but where should it come from? The EU? Every cent they have will be going towards Ukraine (the cohesion fund is being redirected). So ... dream on.
By Tom from Lisbon on 14 Nov 2024, 16:17
Great initiative for tourism but please develop these internal areas..build more hotels where will people stay. Empty quarters, invite EU to build more infrastructure and develop mini cities or build one airport at the center or border of both countries if really tourism should flourish.
By Riya from Algarve on 15 Nov 2024, 11:27