Portugal and Spain are going to remove borders to boost tourism because they are neighboring countries. They are planning to host the 1st World Interior Tourism Congress in Cáceres Spain from November 26 to 28. This congress will allow the two countries to discuss ways to promote their rural areas as a unified travel destination. They hope to encourage more visitors to explore these regions by this congress.
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1st World Interior Tourism Congress In Cáceres Spain
The congress was organized by the Associação Ibérica Turismo do Interior (AITI) which is a group dedicated to promoting rural tourism. The president of AITI Miguel Martins explained that sharing the border is not enough. They need a shared plan for tourism to benefit both Portugal and Spain. This congress is a step toward achieving that plan. Both countries hope it will bring more attention to their known and beautiful regions.
A New Shared Destination: A Raia
One main idea of the congress is to create “A Raia” which is a joint tourism concept that unites both countries border regions. Portugal and Spain share a 1200 kilometer border that connects historic villages, natural landscapes, and rich culture. Officials believe that this border line is more of an administrative division than a real separation so it should not matter to tourists.
The director of Tourism of Extremadura Spain Jesús Viñuales also supports this idea. He believes that A Raia will give travelers a chance to experience both countries as one. Portugal and Spain want to create a seamless experience by promoting A Raia that will feature everything from castles to festivals and local cuisine. Viñuales imagines a time when tourists can cross between the two countries and still feel connected to a single destination.
Challenges To Both Countries
Both countries support this idea but working together comes with challenges. The Vice-president of Turismo Centro de Portugal Anabela Freitas mentioned that coordinating efforts between government agencies and tourism groups is difficult. Many groups receive funding from the European Union for tourism projects but this can sometimes lead to projects that are not aligned.
She highlighted:
It’s much more that unites us than separates us
Freitas pointed out that there is often confusion between building a territorial brand and promoting specific tourism products. This congress aims to help clarify these goals. Portugal and Spain can avoid duplicate efforts by working together and make sure that both regions benefit equally from tourism.
Include Private Businesses In Tourism
The congress also hopes to involve private businesses in these tourism efforts. Martins stressed that private companies are essential to tourism but encouraged them to work with public groups to avoid conflicts. This cooperation will help businesses align with regional tourism goals and avoid unnecessary costs.
The president of AITI stressed:
Private companies have to make their way, but before spending thousands of euros on a project, ask us what we think
The congress will also involve academics and researchers. Representatives from 35 universities will attend to share ideas on sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and economic growth. Their insights can guide Portugal and Spain in building tourism strategies that protect the environment and benefit local communities to attract visitors.
Attract Tourists And Improving Transportation
Another tourism idea to be discussed at the congress involves Game of Thrones which is a popular TV show filmed in both Portugal and Spain. Scenes from the series were shot in the Portuguese village of Monsanto and various sites in Spain. The congress plans to launch a new travel route that links these filming locations. This approach can attract fans from around the world and increase interest in rural areas that are often overlooked.
Improving transportation links between Portugal and Spain is another focus of the congress. One highlight will be a presentation by Pablo Pastega who is the general director of FlixBus for Portugal and Spain. FlixBus is a popular bus service across Europe and the company is exploring ways to expand routes to rural areas along the border.
One specific plan is to establish a direct bus route between Castelo Branco in Portugal and Cáceres in Spain. This route will run at least twice a week which will make it easier for tourists to explore both sides of the border. It will also help local residents by providing more travel options. Better transportation is seen as a key factor in increasing tourism and helping the local economy.
