The German-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry is taking the Portuguese market by the horns by organising an afternoon mini-conference on alternative tourism – and taking it seriously.The conference themes, all representing alternatives to ‘sun and sand’ holidays, include business tourism, health tourism and nature tourism - as applicable to the German tourism market.
"It is intended to promote a reflection on the alternatives to the consolidated markets of the Algarve region, based on the example of the German market," say the organisers.
One of the main problems already identified is staff training, so, starting at 2:30 p.m., a panel discussion will be held, dedicated to the theme, "Preparing professionals for the new challenges of tourism: the role of professional qualification."
Panel members include, Elidérico Viegas, president of the region’s hoteliers association, Paula Vicente , Director of the Algarve School of Hospitality and Tourism, Herbert Tutschner, Department Director at the German Federal Institute for Pedagogical Education and Madalena Feu, Regional Delegate in the Algarve for the employment service.
"Based on the specific characteristics of the Algarve region, this seminar seeks to be a platform for sharing experiences between a market that is developed in areas that the Algarve is still exploring and which already has identified as possible alternatives to consolidated products of the region," state the organisers.
The afternoon will be blessed with the presence of Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho, who will take part in the opening session of the seminar at 13.30.
This will be followed by an address by Hans- Joachim Böhmer, Executive Director of the Portuguese-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"Tourism for health, culture and nature" is the first topic under discussion, with the participation of Desidério Silva, the president of the Algarve tourism board, as well as Christoph Creutzburg, senior consultant for Tourismus Plan B GmbH (a German consultancy specialising in Tourism), and Joaquim Cunha, Executive
Director of Health Cluster Portugal.
At 16h45, the seminar will focus on, "Business tourism and the organisation of major international events: congresses, fairs and seminars." The panel for this will include Ulrike Bohnet, Director of Germany's Tourism for Portugal and Spain, and Mário Azevedo Ferreira, administrator of the Algarve Congress Palace at Nau Hotels & Resorts.
The closing session at 5:45 pm will be led by Luís Tavares, vice-president of the Luso-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. April 12th, is the date for the meeting at the Municipal Auditorium of Portimão. The afternoon is free to attend, but requires prior registration HERE
