Discovered by foreign travelers long before other regions of Portugal in the 1960s, when bikinis were still a rarity on national beaches, the Algarve is now celebrating the 55th anniversary of its Tourism Region creation.
To recount this long history and discuss future projects—which go beyond the always appealing sun and beach to include activities in nature, sports, culture, gastronomy, and major international events—Rádio Observador will broadcast live from Gago Coutinho Airport in Faro next Friday, September 26, on the eve of World Tourism Day, established by the UN in 1980.
The broadcast starts at 2:00 PM and will feature numerous guests and experts over several hours, helping to understand how the Algarve destination is promoted and the art of hospitality is perfected for visitors.
Interviewees include André Gomes, President of Turismo do Algarve, who will talk about the anniversary celebrations and the significant changes since 1970 in diversity of offerings and markets. Alberto Mota Borges, Director of Faro Airport (marking 60 years of operation this year), and Anabela Santos, a specialist in nature tourism, will also join.
This segment is growing rapidly due to public interest, as shown by the Algarve Nature Fest, taking place from September 26 to 28 in Aljezur and Monchique. Anabela Santos will discuss the Via Algarviana, a pedestrian route spanning the Algarve from Alcoutim to Cabo de São Vicente, covering about 300 kilometers divided into 14 sectors.
Elizabeth Silva, Executive Coordinator of Geoparque Algarvensis, will speak about its successful bid to join the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (recently confirmed). Covering the municipalities of Loulé, Albufeira, and Silves, this area will benefit from enhanced valuation and promotion of local and regional heritage internationally.
Culture and Sports in Expansion
Culture and arts will also be in focus. Giacomo Scalisi, an Italian resident in Portugal for about 25 years, will talk about the activities of Cooperativa Lavrar o Mar, which he founded in Aljezur to connect social, territorial, and cultural realities in the region, emphasizing community involvement in programming.
Sports will not be forgotten. Nuno Sepúlveda (co-CEO of Details, managing several golf courses in Portugal), Jaime Costa (CEO of Autódromo Internacional do Algarve), and Cândido Barbosa (President of the Portuguese Cycling Federation) will discuss the calendar of major events in the coming months.
The role of the University of Algarve in training tourism professionals and researching for sustainability will be highlighted. In the studio at Faro Airport, Paulo Águas, Rector of the University of Algarve, and Carlos Abade, President of the Board of Directors of Turismo de Portugal, will talk about the national tourism strategy for the next ten years.
As expected, gastronomy will also be on the table, with participation from chefs Hugo Nascimento and Luís Brito, and wine producer Rui Virgínia. The chefs will discuss their approaches in increasingly sought-after restaurants for demanding and informed clients, while Rui Virgínia will present his work at Quinta do Barranco Longo and his efforts to transform a sector long overlooked by Algarve entrepreneurs and potential consumers.
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