Tourism Conference

The tourism sector in Portugal is in a state of transformation since this summer's post-pandemic boom, and new trends, challenges, and opportunities are emerging from the wake. That's why the IPBN was pleased to host its Tourism Conference on Thursday, September 29 from 9h to 13h at the Universidade Europeia (UE) - Campus da Quinta do Bom Nome. As we look toward future continued interest in Portugal as a destination for holiday makers and digital nomads alike, the IPBN invited key industry players to explore the ways in which they intend to reposition themselves in order to ensure that Portugal remains innovative, safe, and sought after.

Thanks to our conference partners at the Tourism of Portugal and Visit Portugal in Ireland, the IPBN helped our members in Portugal and Ireland gain a better understanding of what this means for business in all sectors. We were very pleased to also partner with TNews, our official media partner, a digital media outlet covering tourism for professionals, 

Special guest speakers included the President of Turismo de Portugal, the DGPC, the SATA Group, the Clink Hostels and Lagos Digital Nomads to name a few.

Programme

0830      Registration and welcome coffee

0900      Welcome message – Geoffrey Graham, Chair of the IPBN

0910      Keynote speaker - H.E. Ralph Victory, Ambassador of Ireland to Portugal – Performance and outlook for the period ahead of the Tourism in Ireland

0930      Keynote Speaker – Portugal and its regions. Luis Araujo, President Turismo de Portugal

0945      Panel conversation about “The transformation and re-positioning of the Tourism in Portugal” moderated by Geoffrey Graham, Chair of the IPBN, including Q&A, with:

• Luis Rodrigues - CEO SATA Group
• Chitra Stern, Owner & CEO Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts and the United Lisbon International School
• Francisco Teixeira - CEO & Owner Melair IR - Royal Caribbean Group
• John Bergin – Director SkyTours Travel and Golfbreaks.ie

1100      Coffee break

1115      Panel conversation about “How to tackle and create disruption in the Hospitality sector”, moderated by Aoife Healy, IPBN Board member.

• Mark Fenelon - Chief Executive Officer, Clink Hostels coming soon to Lisbon & Dublin 
• Filipe Santiago - Senior Partner at BlueShift
• Sofia Borda de Água de Almeida, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality (FTH), Universidade Europeia

1200     The diversity and emerging trends in the Tourism in Portugal – 15 minutes each. Guest Speakers introduced by Arnold Delville, General Manager IPBN

• Catarina Romão Gonçalves - Deputy Director General - Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage (DGPC), which manages 26 museums, palaces and monuments and coordinates the Portuguese Museums Network
• Nuno Alexandre – HPA Group – The new Medical Tourism
• Joana Glória  - Lagos Digital Nomads CEO & Founder – Workation concept

1245      Closing Statement - Hélia Gonçalves Pereira  - Rector Universidade Europeia

1300      Networking

1330      End

The event was free of charge and open to IPBN members and non-members.